Restoration of neurons balance in the almonds reverses stress in mice

The Synaptic Physiology Laboratory, led by Juan Lerma at the Institute of Neuroscience (IN), a common center of Spanish National Research (CSIC) and the University of Miguel Hernández (UMH) of ELCHE, has discovered that a specific neuron group in almonds, an almond, a brain. This study, published in drawIt shows that the restoration of the balance of neuronal excitability in a particular area of ​​the tonsil is enough to reverse these behaviors in mice.

We already knew that almonds was involved in stress and fear, but now we have identified a specific population of neurons whose imbalanced activity alone is sufficient to cause pathological behaviors. “

Juan Lerma, Institute of Neuroscience (IN), Common Center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

His team used a genetically modified mouse model to overpress the Grik4 Gene, thereby increasing the number of gluk4 glutamate receptors and increasing neuronal excitability. These animals, developed by the same laboratory in 2015, show behaviors of anxiety and social withdrawal very similar to those observed in people with disorders such as autism or schizophrenia.

Researchers smooth out the expression of the gene especially in the neurons of the basot almond trees, which restored communication with another group of inhibitors in the central almond known as “normal trigger neurons”. “This simple adaptation was enough to reverse stress -related behaviors and social deficit, which is remarkable,” says álvaro García, the first author of the study.

The animals were evaluated using electrophysiological techniques and behavior tests that measure anxiety, depression and social interaction in rodents, based on their preference to explore open spaces or interest in unknown mice. Subsequently, using genetic engineering and modified viruses, scientists selectively corrected the deterioration of the royal tonsils and changes are observed in both neuronal activity and animal behavior.

They also apply the same procedure to wild mice that were inherently anxious and was also effective in reducing their stress. “This validates our findings and gives us confidence that the mechanism we have identified is not exclusive for a particular genetic model, but it can represent a general principle of how these emotions are regulated in the brain,” Lerma adds.

Some behavioral deficits, such as object recognition memory, have not been resolved, suggesting that other areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, may also be involved in these disorders and remain unprinted. The study opens the door to new therapeutic potential: “The targeting of these particular neural circuits could become an effective and more local strategy for the treatment of emotional disorders,” the researcher concludes.

This project was possible thanks to the funding of the Spanish State Research Organization (AEI)-the Ministry of Sciences, Innovation and Universities of the Spanish, the Severo Ochoa Excellence Program for research centers at the Neurosciences CSIC-AMH Institute, Prometeo and Ciprom programs.