mGluR₁,5 activation improves network asynchrony and GABAergic synapse attenuation in the amygdala: implication for anxiety-like behavior in DBA/2 mice

Mol Brain. 2012 Jun 9:5:20. doi: 10.1186/1756-6606-5-20.

Abstract

Anxiety is a prevalent psychological disorder, in which the atypical expression of certain genes and the abnormality of amygdala are involved. Intermediate processes between genetic defects and anxiety, pathophysiological characteristics of neural network, remain unclear. Using behavioral task, two-photon cellular imaging and electrophysiology, we studied the characteristics of neural networks in basolateral amygdala and the influences of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) on their dynamics in DBA/2 mice showing anxiety-related genetic defects. Amygdala neurons in DBA/2 high anxiety mice express asynchronous activity and diverse excitability, and their GABAergic synapses demonstrate weak transmission, compared to those in low anxiety FVB/N mice. mGluR1,5 activation improves the anxiety-like behaviors of DBA/2 mice, synchronizes the activity of amygdala neurons and strengthens the transmission of GABAergic synapses. The activity asynchrony of amygdala neurons and the weakness of GABA synaptic transmission are associated with anxiety-like behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / drug effects
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Amygdala / physiopathology*
  • Animals
  • Anxiety / physiopathology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Models, Biological
  • Naphthols / pharmacology
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / physiopathology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Propylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / agonists
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / metabolism*
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Naphthols
  • Propylene Glycols
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1
  • 1-((3-hydroxy-4-methoxy)-1-naphthoxy)-2,3-propanediol
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid