Diversos desordres neuropsiquiàtrics en humans estan relacionats amb una disfunció en el control de les emocions i del comportament social, i alguns d'ells estan associats a una alteració en el desenvolupament de l'amígdala. El control de les emocions i del comportament social estan, en particular, associats a la denominada amígdala estesa, un corredor de cèl·lules del telencèfal basal que s'estén des de l'amígdala centromedial al nucli del llit de l'estria terminal (BST), que constitueix l'estació d'eixida mes important cap a centres efectors de l'hipotàlem i tronc encefàlic. No obstant això, hi ha molts aspectes del desenvolupament de l'amígdala estesa que es desconeixen, incloent l'origen embrionari de les seves diferents subpoblacions de neurones. L'objectiu d'esta Tesi ha sigut investigar l'origen de les neurones de l'amígdala estesa en embrions de ratolí (E13.5-E16.5) per mitjà d'assajos de migració in vitro. Els resultats d'estos assajos es van combinar amb inmunofluorescencia per a analitzar el fenotip de les neurones que van migrar a l'amígdala des d'orígens distints, i es van comparar amb dades d'inmunohistoquímica (per a marcar distints neuropèptids, proteïnes o enzims) i hibridació in situ (per a detectar el RNAm de diferents factors de transcripció i altres proteïnes) per a ajudar en la delimitació de distints dominis embrionaris del prosencèfal i distintes subdivisions de l'amígdala estesa. En particular, esta Tesi està dedicada a l'estudi de l'origen embrionari de les neurones de les dos subdivisions (o subcorredors) principals de l'amígdala estesa, l'amígdala medial estesa (Capítol 2) i l'amígdala central estesa (Capítol 3). En relació a l'amígdala medial estesa (Capítol 2), la present Tesi proporciona evidència experimental de l'origen múltiple de les seves neurones principals, incloent les de l'amígdala medial i les del BST medial. En particular, aquest estudi aporta proves que indiquen que una gran part de les neurones de l'amígdala medial i el BST medial deriva de la part caudoventral de l'eminència ganglionar medial (MGEcv, prèviament coneguda com, o inclosa en, l'àrea peduncular anterior), formant un subcorredor de cèl·lules amb característiques moleculars semblants (expressió del factor de transcripció Lhx6 i la proteïna calbindina). La comparació amb altres dades indica que les neurones d'aquest subcorredor de cèl·lules que deriven de MGEcv estan interconnectades i projecten a les mateixes dianes de l'hipotàlem, involucrades en el control del comportament reproductor. Esta Tesi també aporta dades experimentals que demostren que el pal·li ventral produeix algunes neurones de l'amígdala medial, que pareixen expressar el factor de transcripció Lhx9. Els resultats també confirmen que algunes neurones de l'amígdala medial estesa s'originen en l'àrea preòptica (les nostres dades indiquen que s'originen específicament en l'àrea preòptica comissural o POC, i aquest origen es correlaciona amb expressió de la proteïna senyalitzadora Shh) i en el domini supraopto-paraventricular de l'hipotàlem (SPV, que dóna lloc a neurones amb expressió postmitòtica dels factors de transcripció Lhx5 i Otp). De forma semblant a les neurones que deriven de MGEcv, és possible que les neurones de l'amígdala medial estesa que deriven d'altres dominis embrionaris també formen distints subcorredors de cèl·lules amb funcions específiques. En relació a l'amígdala central estesa (Capítol 3), els resultats d'esta Tesi mostren que els seus principals components, incloent l'amígdala central i el BST lateral, són mosaics formats per distintes proporcions de neurones derivades de la part dorsal de l'eminència ganglionar lateral (LGEd), la part ventral de l'eminència ganglionar lateral (LGEv), o l'eminència ganglionar medial (MGE). La neurones derivades de LGEd expressen el factor de transcripció Pax6 i invadeixen preferentment les parts laterals de l'amígdala central, encara que unes poques també arriben al BST lateral. Basant-se en correlació amb el RNAm de pre-proencefalina i altres dades, moltes d'aquestes cèl·lules són probablement neurones de projecció encefalinèrgiques. Les neurones derivades de LGEv expressen el factor de transcripció Islet1 i invadeixen principalment la part central i medial de l'amígdala central, i part del BST lateral. La correlació amb altres estudis suggereix que aquestes cèl·lules són probablement les neurones de projecció que contenen el factor alliberador de la corticotropina. D'altra banda, MGE produeix la majoria de les neurones del BST lateral, però la part caudoventral del MGE (MGEcv) també produeix una important subpoblació de neurones de projecció que expressen somatostatina que invadeixen la part medial de l'amígdala central. Així, distints tipus de neurones de projecció s'originen en distints dominis embrionaris, però els mateixos dominis produeixen neurones per a quasi totes les parts de l'amígdala central estesa, la qual cosa podria explicar la similitud de les neurones en característiques neuroquímiques i connexions al llarg del corredor. Els resultats, junt amb altres dades publicades, també suggereixen l'existència de al menys tres subcorredors de cèl·lules en l'amígdala central estesa, cada un relacionat amb un origen embrionari distint i involucrat en el control d'un aspecte diferent de les respostes de por i ansietat. En resum, aquest estudi proporciona importants dades que aclareixen aspectes rellevants del desenvolupament i organització adulta de l'amígdala estesa, i ajuda a establir les bases per a una millor comprensió del control neural de les emocions i el comportament social en condicions normals i patològiques. / Varios desórdenes neuropsiquiátricos humanos están relacionados con una disfunción en el control de las emociones y del comportamiento social, y algunos de ellos están asociados a una alteración en el desarrollo de la amígdala. El control de las emociones y el comportamiento social están, en particular, asociados a la denominada amígdala extendida, un corredor de células del telencéfalo basal que se extiende desde la amígdala centromedial al núcleo del lecho de la estria terminal (BST), que constituye la estación de salida mas importante hacia centros efectores del hipotálamo y tronco encefálico. Sin embargo, existen muchos aspectos del desarrollo de la amígdala extendida que se desconocen, incluyendo el origen embrionario de sus diferentes subpoblaciones de neuronas. El objetivo de esta Tesis ha sido investigar el origen de las neuronas de la amígdala extendida en embriones de ratón (E13.5-E16.5) mediante ensayos de migración in vitro. Los resultados de estos ensayos se combinaron con inmunofluorescencia para analizar el fenotipo de las neuronas que migraron a la amígdala desde orígenes distintos, y se compararon con datos de inmunohistoquímica (para marcar distintos neuropéptidos, proteinas o enzimas) e hibridación in situ (para detectar el RNAm de diferentes factores de transcripción y otras proteinas) para ayudar en la delimitación de distintos dominios embrionarios del prosencéfalo y distintas subdivisiones de la amígdala extendida. En particular, esta Tesis está dedicada al estudio del origen embrionario de las neuronas de las dos subdivisiones (o subcorredores) principales de la amígdala extendida, la amígdala medial extendida (Capítulo 2) y la amígdala central extendida (Capítulo 3). En relación a la amígdala medial extendida (Capítulo 2), la presente Tesis proporciona evidencia experimental del origen múltiple de sus neuronas principales, incluyendo las de la amígdala medial y las del BST medial. En particular, este estudio aporta pruebas que indican que una gran parte de las neuronas de la amígdala medial y el BST medial deriva de la parte caudoventral de la eminencia ganglionar medial (MGEcv, previamente conocida como, o incluida en el área peduncular anterior), formando un subcorredor de células con características moleculares similares (expresión del factor de transcripción Lhx6 y la proteina calbindina). La comparación con otros datos indica que las neuronas de este subcorredor de células que derivan de MGEcv están interconectadas y proyectan a las mismas dianas del hipotálamo, involucradas en control del comportamiento reproductor. Esta Tesis también aporta datos experimentales que demuestran que el palio ventral produce algunas neuronas de la amígdala medial, que parecen expresar el factor de transcripción Lhx9. Los resultados también confirman que algunas neuronas de la amígdala medial extendida se originan en el área preóptica (nuestros datos indican que se originan específicamente en el área preóptica comisural o POC, y este origen se correlaciona con expresión de la proteina señalizadora Shh) y en el dominio supraopto-paraventricular del hipotálamo (SPV, que da lugar a neuronas con expresión postmitótica de los factores de transcripción Lhx5 y Otp). De forma similar a las neuronas que derivan de MGEcv, es posible que las neuronas de la amígdala medial extendida que derivan de otros dominios embrionarios también formen distintos subcorredores de células con funciones específicas. En relación a la amígdala central extendida (Capítulo 3), los resultados de esta Tesis muestran que sus principales componentes, incluyendo la amígdala central y el BST lateral, son mosaicos formados por distintas proporciones de neuronas derivadas de la parte dorsal de la eminencia ganglionar lateral (LGEd), la parte ventral de la eminencia ganglionar lateral (LGEv), o la eminencia ganglionar medial (MGE). La neuronas derivadas de LGEd expresan el factor de transcripción Pax6 e invaden preferentemente las partes laterales de la amígdala central, aunque unas pocas también alcanzan el BST lateral. En base a correlación con el RNAm de pre-proencefalina y otros datos, muchas de estas células son probablemente neuronas de proyección encefalinérgicas. Las neuronas derivadas de LGEv expresan el factor de transcripción Islet1 e invaden principalmente la parte central y medial de la amígdala central, y parte del BST lateral. La correlación con otros estudios sugiere que estas células son probablemente las neuronas de proyección que contienen el factor liberador de la corticotropina. Por otro lado, MGE produce la mayoría de las neuronas del BST lateral, pero la parte caudoventral del MGE (MGEcv) también produce una importante subpoblación de neuronas de proyección que expresan somatostatina que invaden la parte medial de la amígdala central. Así, distintos tipos de neuronas de proyección se originan en distintos dominios embrionarios, pero los mismos dominios producen neuronas para casi todas las partes de la amígdala central extendida, lo que podría explicar la similitud de las neuronas en características neuroquímicas y conexiones a lo largo del corredor. Los resultados, junto con otros datos publicados, también sugieren la existencia de al menos tres subcorredores de células en la amígdala central extendida, cada uno relacionado a un origen embrionario distinto e involucrado en el control de un aspecto diferente de las respuestas de miedo y ansiedad. En resumen, este estudio proporciona importantes datos que clarifican aspectos relevantes del desarrollo y organización adulta de la amígdala extendida, y ayuda a establecer las bases para una mejor comprensión del control neural de las emociones y el comportamiento social en condiciones normales y patológicas. / Dysfunctions in emotional control and social behavior are behind several human neuropsychiatric disorders, some of which are associated to an alteration of amygdalar development. The control of emotions and social behavior is particularly associated to the so-called extended amygdala, which is a cell corridor of the basal telencephalon extending from the centromedial amygdala to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), that constitutes the major output station to effector centers of the hypothalamus and brainstem. However, many aspects of the development of the extended amygdala remain elusive, including the embryonic origin of its different neuron subpopulations. The aim of this Thesis has been to investigate the origin of the neurons of the extended amygdala in mouse embryos (E13.5-E16.5) by using in vitro migration assays. The fate mapping results were combined with immunofluorescence for analyzing the phenotype of the neurons that migrated to the amygdala from distinct origins, and were compared with data from immunohistochemistry (to label distinct neuropeptides, proteins or enzymes) and in situ hibridization (to detect the mRNA expression of different transcription factors and other proteins) which helped in the delineation of forebrain embryonic domains and extended amygdala subdivisions. In particular, this Thesis deals with studing the embryonic origin of the neurons of the two major subdivisions (or subcorridors) of the extended amygdala, the medial extended amygdala (Chapter 2) and the central extended amygdala (Chapter 3). Regarding the medial extended amygdala (Chapter 2), this Thesis provides experimental evidence for a multiple embryonic origin of its principal neurons, including those of the medial amygdala and medial BST. In particular, this study provides novel evidence indicating that a major part of the neurons of the medial amygdala and medial BST derives from the caudoventral part of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGEcv, previously called or included as part of the anterior peduncular area), forming a cell subcorridor with similar molecular features (expression of the transcription factor Lhx6 and the protein calbindin). Comparison to other data indicates that neurons along this MGEcv-related cell subcorridor are interconnected and project to the same hypothalamic targets, which are involved in reproductive behavior. This Thesis also provides novel experimental evidence indicating that the ventral pallium produces some neurons for the medial amygdala, which appear to express the transcription factor Lhx9. The results also confirm that some neurons of the medial extended amygdala originate in the preoptic area (our results indicate that these cells specifically originate in its commissural subdivision or POC and correlate to expression of the signaling protein Sonic hedgehog) and the supraopto-paraventricular domain of the hypothalamus (or SPV, which derived neurons express the transcription factors Lhx5 and Otp). Similarly to the neurons derived from MGEcv, it is possible that neurons of the medial extended amygdala derived from other embryonic domains also form distinct cell subcorridors related to specific functions. Regarding the central extended amygdala (Chapter 3), the results of this Thesis show that its major components, including central amygdala and lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), are mosaics formed by different proportions of dorsal lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE)-, ventral LGE- and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)- derived neurons. Dorsal LGE-derived neurons express the transcription factor Pax6, and primarily populate lateral parts of the central amygdala, but a few also reach the lateral BST. Based on correlation with pre-proenkephalin mRNA and other data, many of these cells are likely enkephalinergic projection neurons. The ventral LGE-derived neurons express the transcription factor Islet1, and primariy populate the central and medial parts of the central amygdala, and part of the lateral BST. Correlation with other studies suggests that these cells represent projection neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing factor. The MGE produces the majority of neurons of lateral BST, but its caudoventral subdivision (MGEcv) also produces an important subpopulation of projection neurons containing somatostatin for medial aspects of the central amygdala. Thus, distinct principal neurons originate in different embryonic domains, but the same domains contribute neurons to most subdivisions of the central extended amygdala, which may explain the similarity in neurochemistry and connections along the corridor. The results, together with other published data, also suggest the existence of at least three subcorridors within the central extended amygdala, each related to a different embryonic origin and involved in the control of a different aspect of fear responses and anxiety. In conclusion, this study provides important data that clarify relevant aspects on the development and adult organization of the extended amygdala, and helps to set up the foundations for a better understanding of neural control of emotions and social behavior in normal and abnormal conditions.

In Syrian hamsters, social behavior is mediated exclusively by chemosensory cues and circulating gonadal steroid hormones. Where these two signals are processed in the brain is unknown, but the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBNST) has been suggested as a candidate site. Therefore, we tested male hamsters’ preference for opposite-sex odors following excitotoxic lesions of the pBNST. Lesions of the pBNST (pBNST-X) eliminated male hamsters’ preference for opposite-sex odors. Furthermore, pBNST-X males spent significantly less time investigating female odors than clean odors and significantly less time investigating female odors than control males did. Lesions of the pBNST did not change male hamsters’ investigation of male odors. The deficits observed in pBNST-X males were not due to a failure to discriminate between odors, as pBNST-X males were able to distinguish between odors. Together, these data suggest the pBNST is critical for opposite-sex odor preference in male hamsters.

Ph.D. / Behavioral Neuroscience / The purpose of the research described in this dissertation was to determine the neural circuits involved with baseline ethanol consumption and increases in ethanol consumption seen in our animal model of ethanol dependency (further described below). The brain region of focus was the central extended amygdala (cEA) since this region has been shown to be involved in baseline consumption and self-administration of ethanol in rats (Hyytia & Koob, 1995; Eiler et al., 2002) and the changes in ethanol consumption induced by chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure seen in rats and mice (Funk et al., 2006; Finn et al., 2007). To determine if the cEA is involved in these behavioral phenotypes, the components of the cEA were lesioned separately. These components included the lateral posterior portion of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTLP), the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the nucleus accumbens shell (NAc shell). Chapter 2 illustrates that lesions of the BNSTLP decreased baseline ethanol consumption in a 2 hr limited access procedure, but not in a continuous access procedure. Chapter 3 and chapter 4 illustrate that the CeA and NAc shell are involved in baseline ethanol consumption in a limited access procedure, since lesions of these nuclei decreased ethanol consumption. To determine if these nuclei were involved in increases in ethanol consumption, a murine model of ethanol dependency was used. In this procedure C57BL/6J (B6) mice are first acclimated to a limited access two-bottle choice preference procedure. The access period begins 3 hrs into the dark-cycle and continues for 2 hrs. Once acclimated, mice undergo chronic exposure to and intermittent withdrawal from ethanol vapor. Results from chapter 4 indicate that intermittent vapor exposure, as opposed to continuous ethanol vapor exposure, optimizes the increased ethanol x consumption response. As indicated in chapter 2, 3, and 4, lesions of these three components of the cEA did not block the intermittent ethanol vapor induced increase in ethanol consumption. In chapter 4, to determine the brain regions that activate in response to increases in ethanol consumption, a c-fos immunoreactivity study was carried out. The results suggest that the NAc shell and NAc core are the two main brain regions that activate as a result of ethanol consumption specifically in the mice that have been exposed to the intermittent ethanol vapor exposure that show the increase in ethanol consumption. Thus the results suggest that while the NAc shell activates in response to heightened levels of ethanol consumption, it is not necessary to see this increase in ethanol consumption. Overall, the results from these three chapters suggest that while the components of the cEA are involved in baseline ethanol consumption, and are responsive to changes in ethanol consumption (as was the case with the NAc shell), they are not necessary to see the ethanol vapor induced increase in ethanol consumption. These results have implications for understanding the neural circuitry involved in ethanol dependence.

In Syrian hamsters, social behavior is mediated exclusively by chemosensory cues and circulating gonadal steroid hormones. Where these two signals are processed in the brain is unknown, but the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBNST) has been suggested as a candidate site. Therefore, we tested male hamsters’ preference for opposite-sex odors following excitotoxic lesions of the pBNST. Lesions of the pBNST (pBNST-X) eliminated male hamsters’ preference for opposite-sex odors. Furthermore, pBNST-X males spent significantly less time investigating female odors than clean odors and significantly less time investigating female odors than control males did. Lesions of the pBNST did not change male hamsters’ investigation of male odors. The deficits observed in pBNST-X males were not due to a failure to discriminate between odors, as pBNST-X males were able to distinguish between odors. Together, these data suggest the pBNST is critical for opposite-sex odor preference in male hamsters.

Submitted by Daniele Amaral (daniee_ni@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-13T18:42:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAO.pdf: 6690751 bytes, checksum: ad771d53381565a9c810eb4f7a21c348 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-15T13:32:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAO.pdf: 6690751 bytes, checksum: ad771d53381565a9c810eb4f7a21c348 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-15T13:33:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAO.pdf: 6690751 bytes, checksum: ad771d53381565a9c810eb4f7a21c348 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-15T13:33:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAO.pdf: 6690751 bytes, checksum: ad771d53381565a9c810eb4f7a21c348 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-10 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in behavioral and physiological responses to emotional stress through its action in several limbic structures, including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Nevertheless, the role of CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the BNST in autonomic adjustments during aversive threat is unknown. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the involvement of CRF receptors within the BNST in autonomic responses evoked by the acute restraint stress in rats. For this, we evaluated the effects of bilateral treatment of the BNST with selective agonists and antagonists of either CRF1 or CRF2 receptors in the arterial pressure and heart rate increase and the decrease in tail skin temperature induced by restraint stress. Microinjection of the selective CRF1 receptor antagonist CP376395 into the BNST reduced the pressor and tachycardiac responses caused by restraint. Conversely, BNST treatment with the selective CRF1 receptor agonist CRF increased restraint-evoked arterial pressure and HR responses and reduced the fall in tail skin temperature response. All effects of CRF were inhibited by local BNST pretreatment with CP376395. The selective CRF2 receptor antagonist antisauvagine-30 reduced the arterial pressure increase and the fall in tail skin temperature. The selective CRF2 receptor agonist urocortin-3 increased restraint-evoked pressor and tachycardiac responses and reduced the drop in cutaneous temperature. All effects of urocortin-3 were abolished by local BNST pretreatment with antisauvagine-30. These findings indicate an involvement of both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the BNST in autonomic adjustments during emotional stress. / O fator liberador de corticotropina (CRF) está envolvido em respostas comportamentais e fisiológicas ao estresse emocional por meio de sua ação em várias estruturas límbicas, incluindo o núcleo leito da estria terminal (NLET). No entanto, o papel dos receptores CRF1 e CRF2 no NLET nas respostas autonômicas durante situações aversivas é desconhecido. Portanto, no presente estudo nós investigamos o envolvimento de receptores de CRF do NLET nas respostas autonômicas evocadas pelo estresse de restrição agudo em ratos. Para isso, foram avaliados os efeitos do tratamento bilateral do NLET com agonistas e antagonistas seletivos dos receptores CRF1 ou CRF2 nas respostas de aumento da pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca e de diminuição da temperatura cutânea da cauda induzidas pelo estresse por restrição agudo. Microinjeção do antagonista seletivo do receptor CRF1, CP376395, no NLET reduziu as respostas de aumento da pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca evocadas pelo estresse por restrição. Por outro lado, o tratamento do NLET com o agonista seletivo do receptor CRF1, CRF, causou um aumento das respostas pressora e taquicárdica e reduziu a resposta de queda de temperatura cutânea da cauda. Os efeitos do CRF foram inibidos pelo pré-tratamento do NLET com CP376395. O antagonista seletivo do receptor CRF2, antisauvagine-30, reduziu o aumento da pressão arterial e a queda da temperatura cutânea da cauda induzidas pelo estresse por restrição. O agonista seletivo do receptor CRF2, urocortina-3, potenciou as respostas pressora e taquicárdica e reduziu a queda na temperatura cutânea da cauda. Todos os efeitos da urocortina-3 foram abolidos pelo pré-tratamento local no NLET com antisauvagine-30. Esses resultados indicam um envolvimento de ambos os receptores CRF1 e CRF2 no NLET nos ajustes autonômicos durante o estresse emocional.

Chez le rongeur, lorsque l’expression d’une peur conditionnée au contexte s’appuie sur un souvenir ancien, des réponses de peur importantes sont souvent rapportées lors de l’exposition à un contexte différent de celui dans lequel les chocs électriques ont été administrés. Cette généralisation des réponses de peur serait liée à une réorganisation concomitante des réseaux sous-tendant l’expression de la peur, en particulier à un « désengagement » de l’hippocampe dans le rappel des informations contextuelles. Cependant, d’autres études suggèrent que des modifications dans les traitements amenant à l’expression de comportements défensifs, liés à la peur ou l’anxiété, puissent également se mettre en place avec le temps suite à un conditionnement. Ainsi, une incubation des réponses de peur, correspondant à une augmentation globale des niveaux de peur avec le temps, pourrait contribuer à la généralisation de ces réponses. Nos travaux, par une approche d’imagerie de gènes précoces immédiats ainsi que d’évaluation comportementale, ont visé à démêler les mécanismes impliqués dans la généralisation de la peur conditionnée au contexte accompagnant sa consolidation à long terme. Nos résultats suggèrent que la généralisation soit moins liée à une altération du souvenir du contexte qu’à des modifications portant sur le traitement et / ou l’expression des émotions. La nature de ces dernières modifications semble dépendre du statut prédictif initial du contexte (en avant- ou en arrière-plan). De manière cohérente avec l’observation d’une absence de dégradation de la trace du contexte avec le temps, le rôle de l’hippocampe dans le rappel de l’information contextuelle nous est apparu maintenu au cours du temps. Les réorganisations observées dans les réseaux sous-tendant l’expression des réponses de peur concerneraient plutôt des modifications liées au traitement associatif et / ou émotionnel des informations contextuelles. Dans leur ensemble, nos résultats soulèvent la nécessaire prise en compte du haut degré de complexité des traitements amenant à l’expression d’une peur conditionnée, pour qui souhaite évaluer la qualité de la représentation contextuelle sur la base de réponses de peur discriminantes. / At remote delays following contextual fear conditioning in rodents, generalization of fear responses is usually described, as fear responses are elicited by exposure to a context different from the one in which footshocks were delivered. This generalization has been proposed to rely on the degradation and/or transformation of the memory trace due to systemic consolidation. The latter corresponds to the time-dependent reorganization of structures implicated in contextual fear expression, from networks involving the hippocampus to mainly cortical networks. However, other studies suggest that changes in defensive behaviors’ expression tied to fear and anxiety might take place in the time period following a fear conditioning experience. Indeed, an incubation of fear responses, that is an overall increase in fear responses following contextual fear conditioning, has repeatedly been reported. Such changes in the processing of emotionally relevant information might represent an alternative explanation of a time-dependent generalization of fear responses. Using immediate early genes imaging and behavioral assessment, our studies aimed at disentangling the processes supporting fear generalization over time. Our results suggest that under some circumstances, changes in the fear responses’ specificity might less be due to the dynamics of a memory system supporting the context representation than to alterations attributable to emotional information processing and/or expression. They point out dissociations in the latter changes between animals conditioned to a foreground or a background context. Consistent with our observation of a preserved detailed context memory trace, they also suggest that changes in the brain networks supporting the expression of a remotely acquired contextual fear might not reflect a time-dependent hippocampal-independency. Rather, the observed reorganization of neuronal networks might sustain changes in the associative and / or emotional information processing evoked by context exposure. Altogether, our results point out the need to take account of the high complexity of information processing leading to the onset of fear responses, when trying to infer the quality of a contextual representation on the basis of fear discrimination between contexts.

O subnúcleo póstero-dorsal da amígdala medial (AMePD) de ratos modula comportamentos sociais, como é o reprodutivo, e respostas a estímulos estressantes. Para tanto, são necessários ajustes concomitantes da função cardiovascular. Dada sua notável presença no AMePD, o glutamato (GLU), o ácido δ-aminobutírico (GABA), a ocitocina (OT), a somatostatina (SST) e a angiotensina II (Ang II) poderiam estar envolvidos em tais ajustes homeostáticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da microinjeção de GLU, GABA, OT, SST e Ang II microinjetados diretamente no AMePD de ratos não anestesiados sobre o controle cardiovascular em situação basal e após estimulação dos barorreceptores e quimiorreceptores. Ratos machos Wistar (3 meses de idade) foram mantidos em condições padrão de biotério e cuidados éticos. Os animais foram anestesiados e submetidos à cirurgia estereotáxica para implantação unilateral de cânula no AMePD, lado direito. No quinto dia pós-cirúrgico, os animais foram novamente anestesiados e submetidos à colocação de cateter de polietileno na luz da artéria aorta abdominal e outro na veia cava inferior. Um dia após a canulação dos vasos, os animais foram microinjetados no AMePD com solução salina (0,3 μl; n = 8), GLU na dose de 2 μg/0,3 μl (n = 7), GABA nas doses de 61 ng/0.3μl (n = 7) e de 100 μg/0.3 μl (n = 7), OT nas doses de 10 ng/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 25 pg/0,3 μl (n = 6), SST nas doses de 1 μM/0,3μl (n = 8) e de 15 fmol/0,3μl (n = 5) e Ang II nas doses de 50 fmol/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 50 pmol/0,3 μl (n = 7). Dados de frequência cardíaca (FC) e de pressão arterial (PA) foram registrados por 15 minutos em período basal, controle, e, a seguir, foram microinjetadas as substâncias mencionadas e testadas as variáveis de interesse. Os reflexos pressóricos foram testados pela injeção de fenilefrina (8 μg/ml) e nitroprussiato de sódio (100 μg/ml) e os quimiorreceptores, pela de cianeto de potássio (doses crescentes desde 60 até 180 μg/kg). O modelo autoregressivo de análise espectral e a análise simbólica foram utilizados para avaliar a variabilidade da FC e da PA e as atividades simpática e vagal responsáveis pela variabilidade nos dados registrados. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste da análise da variância (ANOVA) de duas vias para medidas repetidas e pelo teste post hoc de Newman- Keuls ou pela ANOVA de uma via e pelo teste de Tukey, conforme apropriado. O nível de significância estatística foi estabelecido em p < 0,05. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos estudados nos valores de FC, PA sistólica, PA diastólica e PA média em situação basal ou após as diferentes microinjeções nos grupos microinjetados com neurotransmissores ou com os neuropeptídeos estudados (p > 0,05). Microinjeções de salina, de GLU (2 μg) ou GABA (61 ng ou 100 μg; n = 7 cada grupo) não afetaram os parâmetros basais ou respostas do quimiorreflexo. Os valores correspondentes à curva da modificação da PAM de acordo com a variação da FC foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos estudados, sendo que a curva após a microinjeção de GABA 61 ng no AMePD foi diferente dos grupos que receberam salina ou GABA na maior dose (100 μg; p < 0,05 em ambos os casos). No que se refere ao platô de taquicardia, a curva de inclinação dos dados referente à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo foi diferente entre os grupos que receberam GLU ou GABA em ambas as doses em comparação com o que recebeu salina (p < 0,01). O GLU aumentou valores índices das análises espectral e simbólica simpáticos relacionados com modulações cardíaca e vascular (P <0,05). A administração de GABA (61 ng) também induziu os maiores valores de variabilidade na FC (P <0,05) que pode ser e associado a uma ativação parassimpática central. No grupo de animais microinjetados com salina, OT (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II (50 fmol e 50 pmol) no AMePD, os valores mais próximos do basal foram obtidos com a menor dose de KCN (60 μg/kg) e ocorreu, conforme o esperado, uma redução estatisticamente significativa maior na FC quando foram aumentadas as doses injetadas de KCN para 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg ou 180 μg/kg (teste de Newman-Keuls, p < 0,001 em todos os casos, quando comparadas com a menor dose injetada). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na FC quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN nas doses de 60 e 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na PA quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN na dose de 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes ao ponto de maior inclinação da curva pressórica referente a respostas geradas pelos barorreceptores, (PA50), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foram menores nos ratos que receberam OT na dose de 10 ng ou SST na dose de 1 μM microinjetadas no AMePD, quando comparado ao grupo controle (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo (ganho em bpm/mmHg), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foi maior no grupo que recebeu OT na dose de 10 ng quando comparado com a Ang II na dose de 50 pmol. Houve maior variabilidade na PA sistólica, na FC, no componente de baixa e de alta frequência do tacograma e no índice de atividade simpático-vagal da análise espectral nos grupos que receberam OT nas doses de (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II na dose de 50 pmol (p < 0,05). Tais dados, indicam que o AMePD se vale de sua atividade glutamatérgica, GABAérgica, ocitocinérgica, somatostatinérgica e angiotensinérgica local, por circuitaria própria ou devido a aferências neurais, para modificar variáveis cardiovasculares provavelmente concomitantemente à organização de comportamentos. / The postero-dorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD) modulates social behavior of rats, such as reproduction, and responses to stressful stimuli. To this end, concomitants adjustments of the cardiovascular function are modulate. Given its remarkable presence in the MePD, glutamate (GLU), Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), oxytocin (OT), somatostatin (SST) and angiotensin II (Ang II) could be involved in such homeostatic adjustments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microinjection of GLU, GABA, OT, SST and Ang II microinjected directly into the rats MePD on non-anesthetized of cardiovascular control under basal conditions and after stimulation of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors. Male Wistar rats (3 months old) were maintained under standard laboratory conditions and ethical care. The animals were anesthetized and submitted to unilateral stereotactic surgery for implantation of the cannula in the right MePD. On the fifth postoperative day, the animals were again anesthetized and underwent placement of polyethylene catheter in the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. One day after the cannulation of the vessels, the animals were microinjected with saline solution, GLU (2 μg/0,3 μl, n = 7), GABA (61 ng/0.3μl, n = 7 and 100 μg/0.3 μl, n = 7), OT (10 ng/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 25 pg/0,3 μl, n = 6), SST (1 μM/0,3μl, n = 8 and 15 fmol/0,3μl, n = 5) and Ang II (50 fmol/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 50 pmol/0,3 μl, n = 7) in the MePD. Data for heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded for 15 minutes at baseline and then were microinjected the substances aforementioned and tested the variables of interest. Baroreceptor function was tested by phenylephrine (8 μg/ml) and sodium nitroprusside (100 μg/ml) injections. Chemoreflex was tested by potassium cyanide (60 – 180 μg/ml) injections. The autoregressive model of symbolic analysis and spectral analysis were used to evaluate the variability of HR and BP and the sympathetic and vagal activities responsible for variability in the data recorded. The data were compared by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls or an one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls whenever appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. There was no statistical difference between groups in the values of HR, systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean BP at baseline or after microinjections in the different groups (P > 0.05). Microinjections of saline, GLU (2 μg) or GABA (61 ng or 100 μg; n = 7 each group) did not affect the basal or responses the of chemoreflex. The values of the curve of change in the MAP in accordive to the variation of HR, were statistically different between groups, and the curve after the microinjection of GABA 61 ng in the MePD was different in the groups that received saline or the highest GABA dose (100 μg, P < 0.05 in both cases). With regard to the plateau of tachycardia, the slope of the data on the average baroreflex sensitivity was different among the groups receiving GLU or GABA at both doses compared to that received saline (P < 0.01). GLU increased power spectral and symbolic sympathetic indexes related with both cardiac and vascular modulations (P < 0.05). The GABA administration (61 ng, but not 100 μg) also induced higher values of HR variability (P < 0.05), rather associated with a parasympathetic activation. In the group of animals microinjected with saline, OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 fmol and 50 pmol) in MePD, there was as expected, a statistically significant greater reduction in HR increasing when the injected doses of KCN to 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg or 180 μg/kg (Newman-Keuls test, P < 0.001 in all cases when compared with the lower injected dose). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in HR compared to the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at doses of 60 and 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in BP compared with the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at the dose of 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). The values for the point of greatest slope of the AP response generated by baroreceptors (MAP50) was lower in rats given OT at the dose of 10 ng or SST at the dose of 1 μM compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The average values for the baroreflex sensitivity (gain in bpm/mm Hg) after the injection of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside was greater in the group receiving OT at the dose of 10 ng compared with Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol. There was a greater variability in systolic BP, HR, the component of low and high frequency of tachogram and the sympathovagal index studied by spectral analysis in the groups that received OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1 μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 pmol; P < 0.05). These data indicate that the MePD has a glutamatergic, GABAergic, ocitocinergic, somatostatinergic angiotensinergic modulatory activity on cardiovascular response most likely involved in the central organization of behaviors.

O subnúcleo póstero-dorsal da amígdala medial (AMePD) de ratos modula comportamentos sociais, como é o reprodutivo, e respostas a estímulos estressantes. Para tanto, são necessários ajustes concomitantes da função cardiovascular. Dada sua notável presença no AMePD, o glutamato (GLU), o ácido δ-aminobutírico (GABA), a ocitocina (OT), a somatostatina (SST) e a angiotensina II (Ang II) poderiam estar envolvidos em tais ajustes homeostáticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da microinjeção de GLU, GABA, OT, SST e Ang II microinjetados diretamente no AMePD de ratos não anestesiados sobre o controle cardiovascular em situação basal e após estimulação dos barorreceptores e quimiorreceptores. Ratos machos Wistar (3 meses de idade) foram mantidos em condições padrão de biotério e cuidados éticos. Os animais foram anestesiados e submetidos à cirurgia estereotáxica para implantação unilateral de cânula no AMePD, lado direito. No quinto dia pós-cirúrgico, os animais foram novamente anestesiados e submetidos à colocação de cateter de polietileno na luz da artéria aorta abdominal e outro na veia cava inferior. Um dia após a canulação dos vasos, os animais foram microinjetados no AMePD com solução salina (0,3 μl; n = 8), GLU na dose de 2 μg/0,3 μl (n = 7), GABA nas doses de 61 ng/0.3μl (n = 7) e de 100 μg/0.3 μl (n = 7), OT nas doses de 10 ng/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 25 pg/0,3 μl (n = 6), SST nas doses de 1 μM/0,3μl (n = 8) e de 15 fmol/0,3μl (n = 5) e Ang II nas doses de 50 fmol/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 50 pmol/0,3 μl (n = 7). Dados de frequência cardíaca (FC) e de pressão arterial (PA) foram registrados por 15 minutos em período basal, controle, e, a seguir, foram microinjetadas as substâncias mencionadas e testadas as variáveis de interesse. Os reflexos pressóricos foram testados pela injeção de fenilefrina (8 μg/ml) e nitroprussiato de sódio (100 μg/ml) e os quimiorreceptores, pela de cianeto de potássio (doses crescentes desde 60 até 180 μg/kg). O modelo autoregressivo de análise espectral e a análise simbólica foram utilizados para avaliar a variabilidade da FC e da PA e as atividades simpática e vagal responsáveis pela variabilidade nos dados registrados. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste da análise da variância (ANOVA) de duas vias para medidas repetidas e pelo teste post hoc de Newman- Keuls ou pela ANOVA de uma via e pelo teste de Tukey, conforme apropriado. O nível de significância estatística foi estabelecido em p < 0,05. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos estudados nos valores de FC, PA sistólica, PA diastólica e PA média em situação basal ou após as diferentes microinjeções nos grupos microinjetados com neurotransmissores ou com os neuropeptídeos estudados (p > 0,05). Microinjeções de salina, de GLU (2 μg) ou GABA (61 ng ou 100 μg; n = 7 cada grupo) não afetaram os parâmetros basais ou respostas do quimiorreflexo. Os valores correspondentes à curva da modificação da PAM de acordo com a variação da FC foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos estudados, sendo que a curva após a microinjeção de GABA 61 ng no AMePD foi diferente dos grupos que receberam salina ou GABA na maior dose (100 μg; p < 0,05 em ambos os casos). No que se refere ao platô de taquicardia, a curva de inclinação dos dados referente à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo foi diferente entre os grupos que receberam GLU ou GABA em ambas as doses em comparação com o que recebeu salina (p < 0,01). O GLU aumentou valores índices das análises espectral e simbólica simpáticos relacionados com modulações cardíaca e vascular (P <0,05). A administração de GABA (61 ng) também induziu os maiores valores de variabilidade na FC (P <0,05) que pode ser e associado a uma ativação parassimpática central. No grupo de animais microinjetados com salina, OT (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II (50 fmol e 50 pmol) no AMePD, os valores mais próximos do basal foram obtidos com a menor dose de KCN (60 μg/kg) e ocorreu, conforme o esperado, uma redução estatisticamente significativa maior na FC quando foram aumentadas as doses injetadas de KCN para 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg ou 180 μg/kg (teste de Newman-Keuls, p < 0,001 em todos os casos, quando comparadas com a menor dose injetada). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na FC quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN nas doses de 60 e 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na PA quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN na dose de 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes ao ponto de maior inclinação da curva pressórica referente a respostas geradas pelos barorreceptores, (PA50), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foram menores nos ratos que receberam OT na dose de 10 ng ou SST na dose de 1 μM microinjetadas no AMePD, quando comparado ao grupo controle (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo (ganho em bpm/mmHg), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foi maior no grupo que recebeu OT na dose de 10 ng quando comparado com a Ang II na dose de 50 pmol. Houve maior variabilidade na PA sistólica, na FC, no componente de baixa e de alta frequência do tacograma e no índice de atividade simpático-vagal da análise espectral nos grupos que receberam OT nas doses de (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II na dose de 50 pmol (p < 0,05). Tais dados, indicam que o AMePD se vale de sua atividade glutamatérgica, GABAérgica, ocitocinérgica, somatostatinérgica e angiotensinérgica local, por circuitaria própria ou devido a aferências neurais, para modificar variáveis cardiovasculares provavelmente concomitantemente à organização de comportamentos. / The postero-dorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD) modulates social behavior of rats, such as reproduction, and responses to stressful stimuli. To this end, concomitants adjustments of the cardiovascular function are modulate. Given its remarkable presence in the MePD, glutamate (GLU), Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), oxytocin (OT), somatostatin (SST) and angiotensin II (Ang II) could be involved in such homeostatic adjustments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microinjection of GLU, GABA, OT, SST and Ang II microinjected directly into the rats MePD on non-anesthetized of cardiovascular control under basal conditions and after stimulation of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors. Male Wistar rats (3 months old) were maintained under standard laboratory conditions and ethical care. The animals were anesthetized and submitted to unilateral stereotactic surgery for implantation of the cannula in the right MePD. On the fifth postoperative day, the animals were again anesthetized and underwent placement of polyethylene catheter in the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. One day after the cannulation of the vessels, the animals were microinjected with saline solution, GLU (2 μg/0,3 μl, n = 7), GABA (61 ng/0.3μl, n = 7 and 100 μg/0.3 μl, n = 7), OT (10 ng/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 25 pg/0,3 μl, n = 6), SST (1 μM/0,3μl, n = 8 and 15 fmol/0,3μl, n = 5) and Ang II (50 fmol/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 50 pmol/0,3 μl, n = 7) in the MePD. Data for heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded for 15 minutes at baseline and then were microinjected the substances aforementioned and tested the variables of interest. Baroreceptor function was tested by phenylephrine (8 μg/ml) and sodium nitroprusside (100 μg/ml) injections. Chemoreflex was tested by potassium cyanide (60 – 180 μg/ml) injections. The autoregressive model of symbolic analysis and spectral analysis were used to evaluate the variability of HR and BP and the sympathetic and vagal activities responsible for variability in the data recorded. The data were compared by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls or an one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls whenever appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. There was no statistical difference between groups in the values of HR, systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean BP at baseline or after microinjections in the different groups (P > 0.05). Microinjections of saline, GLU (2 μg) or GABA (61 ng or 100 μg; n = 7 each group) did not affect the basal or responses the of chemoreflex. The values of the curve of change in the MAP in accordive to the variation of HR, were statistically different between groups, and the curve after the microinjection of GABA 61 ng in the MePD was different in the groups that received saline or the highest GABA dose (100 μg, P < 0.05 in both cases). With regard to the plateau of tachycardia, the slope of the data on the average baroreflex sensitivity was different among the groups receiving GLU or GABA at both doses compared to that received saline (P < 0.01). GLU increased power spectral and symbolic sympathetic indexes related with both cardiac and vascular modulations (P < 0.05). The GABA administration (61 ng, but not 100 μg) also induced higher values of HR variability (P < 0.05), rather associated with a parasympathetic activation. In the group of animals microinjected with saline, OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 fmol and 50 pmol) in MePD, there was as expected, a statistically significant greater reduction in HR increasing when the injected doses of KCN to 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg or 180 μg/kg (Newman-Keuls test, P < 0.001 in all cases when compared with the lower injected dose). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in HR compared to the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at doses of 60 and 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in BP compared with the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at the dose of 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). The values for the point of greatest slope of the AP response generated by baroreceptors (MAP50) was lower in rats given OT at the dose of 10 ng or SST at the dose of 1 μM compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The average values for the baroreflex sensitivity (gain in bpm/mm Hg) after the injection of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside was greater in the group receiving OT at the dose of 10 ng compared with Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol. There was a greater variability in systolic BP, HR, the component of low and high frequency of tachogram and the sympathovagal index studied by spectral analysis in the groups that received OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1 μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 pmol; P < 0.05). These data indicate that the MePD has a glutamatergic, GABAergic, ocitocinergic, somatostatinergic angiotensinergic modulatory activity on cardiovascular response most likely involved in the central organization of behaviors.

O subnúcleo póstero-dorsal da amígdala medial (AMePD) de ratos modula comportamentos sociais, como é o reprodutivo, e respostas a estímulos estressantes. Para tanto, são necessários ajustes concomitantes da função cardiovascular. Dada sua notável presença no AMePD, o glutamato (GLU), o ácido δ-aminobutírico (GABA), a ocitocina (OT), a somatostatina (SST) e a angiotensina II (Ang II) poderiam estar envolvidos em tais ajustes homeostáticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da microinjeção de GLU, GABA, OT, SST e Ang II microinjetados diretamente no AMePD de ratos não anestesiados sobre o controle cardiovascular em situação basal e após estimulação dos barorreceptores e quimiorreceptores. Ratos machos Wistar (3 meses de idade) foram mantidos em condições padrão de biotério e cuidados éticos. Os animais foram anestesiados e submetidos à cirurgia estereotáxica para implantação unilateral de cânula no AMePD, lado direito. No quinto dia pós-cirúrgico, os animais foram novamente anestesiados e submetidos à colocação de cateter de polietileno na luz da artéria aorta abdominal e outro na veia cava inferior. Um dia após a canulação dos vasos, os animais foram microinjetados no AMePD com solução salina (0,3 μl; n = 8), GLU na dose de 2 μg/0,3 μl (n = 7), GABA nas doses de 61 ng/0.3μl (n = 7) e de 100 μg/0.3 μl (n = 7), OT nas doses de 10 ng/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 25 pg/0,3 μl (n = 6), SST nas doses de 1 μM/0,3μl (n = 8) e de 15 fmol/0,3μl (n = 5) e Ang II nas doses de 50 fmol/0,3 μl (n = 7) e de 50 pmol/0,3 μl (n = 7). Dados de frequência cardíaca (FC) e de pressão arterial (PA) foram registrados por 15 minutos em período basal, controle, e, a seguir, foram microinjetadas as substâncias mencionadas e testadas as variáveis de interesse. Os reflexos pressóricos foram testados pela injeção de fenilefrina (8 μg/ml) e nitroprussiato de sódio (100 μg/ml) e os quimiorreceptores, pela de cianeto de potássio (doses crescentes desde 60 até 180 μg/kg). O modelo autoregressivo de análise espectral e a análise simbólica foram utilizados para avaliar a variabilidade da FC e da PA e as atividades simpática e vagal responsáveis pela variabilidade nos dados registrados. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste da análise da variância (ANOVA) de duas vias para medidas repetidas e pelo teste post hoc de Newman- Keuls ou pela ANOVA de uma via e pelo teste de Tukey, conforme apropriado. O nível de significância estatística foi estabelecido em p < 0,05. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos estudados nos valores de FC, PA sistólica, PA diastólica e PA média em situação basal ou após as diferentes microinjeções nos grupos microinjetados com neurotransmissores ou com os neuropeptídeos estudados (p > 0,05). Microinjeções de salina, de GLU (2 μg) ou GABA (61 ng ou 100 μg; n = 7 cada grupo) não afetaram os parâmetros basais ou respostas do quimiorreflexo. Os valores correspondentes à curva da modificação da PAM de acordo com a variação da FC foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos estudados, sendo que a curva após a microinjeção de GABA 61 ng no AMePD foi diferente dos grupos que receberam salina ou GABA na maior dose (100 μg; p < 0,05 em ambos os casos). No que se refere ao platô de taquicardia, a curva de inclinação dos dados referente à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo foi diferente entre os grupos que receberam GLU ou GABA em ambas as doses em comparação com o que recebeu salina (p < 0,01). O GLU aumentou valores índices das análises espectral e simbólica simpáticos relacionados com modulações cardíaca e vascular (P <0,05). A administração de GABA (61 ng) também induziu os maiores valores de variabilidade na FC (P <0,05) que pode ser e associado a uma ativação parassimpática central. No grupo de animais microinjetados com salina, OT (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II (50 fmol e 50 pmol) no AMePD, os valores mais próximos do basal foram obtidos com a menor dose de KCN (60 μg/kg) e ocorreu, conforme o esperado, uma redução estatisticamente significativa maior na FC quando foram aumentadas as doses injetadas de KCN para 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg ou 180 μg/kg (teste de Newman-Keuls, p < 0,001 em todos os casos, quando comparadas com a menor dose injetada). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na FC quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN nas doses de 60 e 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Ang II na dose de 50 pmol microinjetada no AMePD gerou maior diminuição reflexa na PA quando comparado com o grupo controle após a estimulação dos quimiorreceptores com KCN na dose de 140 μg/kg (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes ao ponto de maior inclinação da curva pressórica referente a respostas geradas pelos barorreceptores, (PA50), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foram menores nos ratos que receberam OT na dose de 10 ng ou SST na dose de 1 μM microinjetadas no AMePD, quando comparado ao grupo controle (p < 0,05). Os valores referentes à sensibilidade média do barorreflexo (ganho em bpm/mmHg), após injeções de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio, foi maior no grupo que recebeu OT na dose de 10 ng quando comparado com a Ang II na dose de 50 pmol. Houve maior variabilidade na PA sistólica, na FC, no componente de baixa e de alta frequência do tacograma e no índice de atividade simpático-vagal da análise espectral nos grupos que receberam OT nas doses de (10 ng e 25 pg), SST (1μM e 15 fmol) e Ang II na dose de 50 pmol (p < 0,05). Tais dados, indicam que o AMePD se vale de sua atividade glutamatérgica, GABAérgica, ocitocinérgica, somatostatinérgica e angiotensinérgica local, por circuitaria própria ou devido a aferências neurais, para modificar variáveis cardiovasculares provavelmente concomitantemente à organização de comportamentos. / The postero-dorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD) modulates social behavior of rats, such as reproduction, and responses to stressful stimuli. To this end, concomitants adjustments of the cardiovascular function are modulate. Given its remarkable presence in the MePD, glutamate (GLU), Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), oxytocin (OT), somatostatin (SST) and angiotensin II (Ang II) could be involved in such homeostatic adjustments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microinjection of GLU, GABA, OT, SST and Ang II microinjected directly into the rats MePD on non-anesthetized of cardiovascular control under basal conditions and after stimulation of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors. Male Wistar rats (3 months old) were maintained under standard laboratory conditions and ethical care. The animals were anesthetized and submitted to unilateral stereotactic surgery for implantation of the cannula in the right MePD. On the fifth postoperative day, the animals were again anesthetized and underwent placement of polyethylene catheter in the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. One day after the cannulation of the vessels, the animals were microinjected with saline solution, GLU (2 μg/0,3 μl, n = 7), GABA (61 ng/0.3μl, n = 7 and 100 μg/0.3 μl, n = 7), OT (10 ng/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 25 pg/0,3 μl, n = 6), SST (1 μM/0,3μl, n = 8 and 15 fmol/0,3μl, n = 5) and Ang II (50 fmol/0,3 μl, n = 7 and 50 pmol/0,3 μl, n = 7) in the MePD. Data for heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded for 15 minutes at baseline and then were microinjected the substances aforementioned and tested the variables of interest. Baroreceptor function was tested by phenylephrine (8 μg/ml) and sodium nitroprusside (100 μg/ml) injections. Chemoreflex was tested by potassium cyanide (60 – 180 μg/ml) injections. The autoregressive model of symbolic analysis and spectral analysis were used to evaluate the variability of HR and BP and the sympathetic and vagal activities responsible for variability in the data recorded. The data were compared by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls or an one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for repeated measures and the post hoc Newman-Keuls whenever appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. There was no statistical difference between groups in the values of HR, systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean BP at baseline or after microinjections in the different groups (P > 0.05). Microinjections of saline, GLU (2 μg) or GABA (61 ng or 100 μg; n = 7 each group) did not affect the basal or responses the of chemoreflex. The values of the curve of change in the MAP in accordive to the variation of HR, were statistically different between groups, and the curve after the microinjection of GABA 61 ng in the MePD was different in the groups that received saline or the highest GABA dose (100 μg, P < 0.05 in both cases). With regard to the plateau of tachycardia, the slope of the data on the average baroreflex sensitivity was different among the groups receiving GLU or GABA at both doses compared to that received saline (P < 0.01). GLU increased power spectral and symbolic sympathetic indexes related with both cardiac and vascular modulations (P < 0.05). The GABA administration (61 ng, but not 100 μg) also induced higher values of HR variability (P < 0.05), rather associated with a parasympathetic activation. In the group of animals microinjected with saline, OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 fmol and 50 pmol) in MePD, there was as expected, a statistically significant greater reduction in HR increasing when the injected doses of KCN to 100 μg/kg, 140 μg/kg or 180 μg/kg (Newman-Keuls test, P < 0.001 in all cases when compared with the lower injected dose). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in HR compared to the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at doses of 60 and 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol generated a higher reflex decrease in BP compared with the control group after stimulation of the chemoreceptors with KCN at the dose of 140 μg/kg (P < 0.05). The values for the point of greatest slope of the AP response generated by baroreceptors (MAP50) was lower in rats given OT at the dose of 10 ng or SST at the dose of 1 μM compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The average values for the baroreflex sensitivity (gain in bpm/mm Hg) after the injection of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside was greater in the group receiving OT at the dose of 10 ng compared with Ang II at the dose of 50 pmol. There was a greater variability in systolic BP, HR, the component of low and high frequency of tachogram and the sympathovagal index studied by spectral analysis in the groups that received OT (10 ng and 25 pg), SST (1 μM and 15 fmol) and Ang II (50 pmol; P < 0.05). These data indicate that the MePD has a glutamatergic, GABAergic, ocitocinergic, somatostatinergic angiotensinergic modulatory activity on cardiovascular response most likely involved in the central organization of behaviors.

Le récepteur opioïde mu est responsable des propriétés analgésiques et addictives puissantes de la morphine et de l’héroïne, mais son mode d’action à l’échelle des circuits neuronaux est mal connu et a été peu étudié par des approches génétiques. Le récepteur mu est largement exprimé dans le système nerveux, essentiellement dans des neurones GABAergiques. Le premier objectif de mon projet a été d’inactiver le gène codant pour le récepteur mu dans les neurones GABAergiques du cerveau antérieur et d’en étudier les conséquences comportementales. Notre étude montre que ces récepteurs ne sont pas impliqués dans l’analgésie et la dépendance physique à la morphine, mais qu’ils sont essentiels à l’effet hyperlocomoteur de l’héroïne. De plus, nos résultats indiquent que ces récepteurs limitent la motivation à consommer de l’héroïne et du chocolat, révélant un rôle entièrement nouveau pour cette population particulière de récepteurs (Manuscrit 1 : Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are necessary for heroin hyperlocomotion and reduce motivation for heroin and palatable food). Aussi, cette population de récepteurs mu n’est pas responsable du syndrome autistique décrit chez les souris knockout totales (Manuscrit 2 : Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are not involved in autistic-like symptoms). Enfin, nous avons développé un nouveau modèle transgénique visant l’inactivation génétique du récepteur mu dans les neurones glutamatergiques, mais qui n’a pas abouti à un knockout conditionnel détectable. Nous avons aussi initié la création d’une lignée transgénique Cre pour l’inactivation de gènes d’intérêt dans l’amygdale étendue, qui permettra notamment d’étudier le rôle du récepteur mu dans ce microcircuit. / Mu opioid receptors mediate the strong analgesic and addictive properties of morphine and heroin;however mu receptor function at circuit levels is not well understood and has been poorly studied by genetic approaches. These receptors are widely expressed throughout the nervous system, essentially in GABAergic neurons. The first aim of my project was to genetically inactivate the mu receptor gene in GABAergic forebrain neurons and study the behavioral consequences. Our study shows that these mu receptors are not implicated in morphine-induced analgesia and physical dependence, but are essential for locomotor effects of heroin. Moreover, our data show that these receptors inhibit motivation to consume heroin and chocolate, revealing an entirely new role for this particular population of mu receptors (Manuscript 1: Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are necessary for heroin hyperlocomotion and reduce motivation for heroin and palatable food). Also, mu receptors expressed in forebrain GABAergic neurons are not responsible for the autistic syndrome described in total mu receptor knockout mice (Manuscript 2: Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are not involved in autistic-like symptoms). Finally, we developed a new transgenic model targeting the mu receptor gene in glutamatergic neurons, but receptor deletion was not detectable in conditional mice. We also initiated the creation of a transgenic Cre driver line to knockout genes of interest in the extended amygdala, and this tool will enable us to study mu receptor function within this microcircuit.