Cannabinoid-induced motor dysfunction via autophagy inhibition

The recreational and medical use of cannabis is largely increasing worldwide. Cannabis use, however, can cause adverse side effects, so conducting innovative studies aimed to understand and potentially reduce cannabis-evoked harms is important. Previous research conducted on cultured neural cells had supported that CNR1/CB1R (cannabinoid receptor 1), the main molecular target of cannabis, affects macroautophagy/autophagy. However, it was not known whether CNR1 controls autophagy in the brain in vivo, and, eventually, what the functional consequences of a potential CNR1-autophagy connection could be. We have now found that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major intoxicating constituent of cannabis, impairs autophagy in the mouse striatum. Administration of autophagy activators (specifically, the rapalog temsirolimus and the disaccharide trehalose) rescues THC-induced autophagy inhibition and motor dyscoordination. The combination of various genetic strategies in vivo supports the idea that CNR1 molecules located on neurons belonging to the direct (striatonigral) pathway are required for the autophagy- and motor-impairing activity of THC. By identifying autophagy as a mechanistic link between THC and motor performance, our findings may open a new conceptual view on how cannabis acts in the brain

Subcellular specificity of cannabinoid effects in striatonigral circuits

Recent advances in neuroscience have positioned brain circuits as key units in controlling behavior, implying that their positive or negative modulation necessarily leads to specific behavioral outcomes. However, emerging evidence suggests that the activation or inhibition of specific brain circuits can actually produce multimodal behavioral outcomes. This study shows that activation of a receptor at different subcellular locations in the same neuronal circuit can determine distinct behaviors. Pharmacological activation of type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in the striatonigral circuit elicits both antinociception and catalepsy in mice. The decrease in nociception depends on the activation of plasma membrane-residing CB1 receptors (pmCB1), leading to the inhibition of cytosolic PKA activity and substance P release. By contrast, mitochondrial-associated CB1 receptors (mtCB1) located at the same terminals mediate cannabinoid-induced catalepsy through the decrease in intra-mitochondrial PKA-dependent cellular respiration and synaptic transmission. Thus, subcellular-specific CB1 receptor signaling within striatonigral circuits determines multimodal control of behavior

Synaptic functions of type-1 cannabinoid receptors in inhibitory circuits of the anterior piriform cortex

In the olfactory system, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates sensory perception and memory. A major structure involved in these processes is the anterior piriform cortex (aPC), but the impact of ECS signaling in aPC circuitry is still scantly characterized. Using ex vivo patch clamp experiments in mice and neuroanatomical approaches, we show that the two major forms of ECS-dependent synaptic plasticity, namely depolarization-dependent suppression of inhibition (DSI) and long-term depression of inhibitory transmission (iLTD) are present in the aPC. Interestingly, iLTD expression depends on layer localization of the inhibitory neurons associated with the expression of the neuropeptide cholecystokinin. Conversely, the decrease of inhibitory transmission induced by exogenous cannabinoid agonists or DSI do not seem to be impacted by these factors. Altogether, these results indicate that CB1 receptors exert an anatomically specific and differential control of inhibitory plasticity in the aPC, likely involved in spatiotemporal regulation of olfactory processes

CB1 Receptors in the anterior piriform cortex control odor preference memory

The retrieval of odor-related memories shapes animal behavior. The anterior piriform cortex (aPC) is the largest part of the olfactory cortex, and it plays important roles in olfactory processing and memory. However, it is still unclear whether specific cellular mechanisms in the aPC control olfactory memory, depending on the appetitive or aversive nature of the stimuli involved. Cannabinoid-type 1 (CB1) receptors are present in the aPC (aPC-CB1), but their potential impact on olfactory memory was never explored. Here, we used a combination of behavioral, genetic, anatomical, and electrophysiological approaches to characterize the functions of aPC-CB1 receptors in the regulation of appetitive and aversive olfactory memory. Pharmacological blockade or genetic deletion of aPC-CB1 receptors specifically impaired the retrieval of conditioned odor preference (COP). Interestingly, expression of conditioned odor aversion (COA) was unaffected by local CB1 receptor blockade, indicating that the role of aPC endocannabinoid signaling is selective for retrieval of appetitive memory. Anatomical investigations revealed that CB1 receptors are highly expressed on aPC GABAergic interneurons, and ex vivo electrophysiological recordings showed that their pharmacological activation reduces miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents (mIPSCs) onto aPC semilunar (SL), but not pyramidal principal neurons. COP retrieval, but not COA, was associated with a specific CB1-receptor-dependent decrease of mIPSCs in SL cells. Altogether, these data indicate that aPC-CB1 receptor-dependent mechanisms physiologically control the retrieval of olfactory memory, depending on odor valence and engaging modulation of local inhibitory transmission.Dissection des mécanismes hypothalamiques impliqués dans la détection du statut nutritionnel et régulation de la prise alimentaire via les interactions entre mTORC1, les mélanocortines et les endocannabinoïdes.Représentation sensorielle lors d'états psychotiquesRecepteurs aux cannabinoides dans le codage visuel corticalRecepteurs aux cannabinoides dans le codage visuel corticalNeurocircuitry of endocannabinoid regulation of food intakeDevelopment of pregnenolone derivatives as allosteric inhibitors of CB1 cannabinoid receptors for thetreatment of schizophrenia and psychotic syndrome

Reg-1α Promotes Differentiation of Cortical Progenitors via Its N-Terminal Active Domain. Front

International audienceReg-1α belongs to the Reg family of small, secreted proteins expressed in both pancreas and nervous system. Reg-1α is composed of two domains, an insoluble C-type lectin domain and a short soluble N-terminal peptide, which is released from the molecule upon proteolytic N-terminal processing, although the biological significance of this proteolysis remains unclear. We have previously shown that binding of Reg-1α to its receptor Extl3 stimulates axonal outgrowth. Reg-1α and Extl3 genes are expressed in the developing cortex but their expression decreases in adulthood, pointing to a possible function of this signaling system at the early developmental stages. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant Reg-1α increases migration and differentiation of cultured embryonic rat telencephalic progenitors via the activation of GSK-3β activity. In vivo overexpression of Reg-1α by in utero electroporation, has a similar effect, favoring premature differentiation of cortical progenitors. Notably, the N-terminal soluble domain, but not the C-type lectin domain, is largely responsible for Reg-1α effects on cortical neuronal differentiation. We thus conclude that Reg-1α via its proteolytically generated N-terminal domain is required for basic development processes

Reg-1α Promotes Differentiation of Cortical Progenitors via Its N-Terminal Active Domain

Reg-1α belongs to the Reg family of small, secreted proteins expressed in both pancreas and nervous system. Reg-1α is composed of two domains, an insoluble C-type lectin domain and a short soluble N-terminal peptide, which is released from the molecule upon proteolytic N-terminal processing, although the biological significance of this proteolysis remains unclear. We have previously shown that binding of Reg-1α to its receptor Extl3 stimulates axonal outgrowth. Reg-1α and Extl3 genes are expressed in the developing cortex but their expression decreases in adulthood, pointing to a possible function of this signaling system at the early developmental stages. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant Reg-1α increases migration and differentiation of cultured embryonic rat telencephalic progenitors via the activation of GSK-3β activity. In vivo overexpression of Reg-1α by in utero electroporation, has a similar effect, favoring premature differentiation of cortical progenitors. Notably, the N-terminal soluble domain, but not the C-type lectin domain, is largely responsible for Reg-1α effects on cortical neuronal differentiation. We thus conclude that Reg-1α via its proteolytically generated N-terminal domain is required for basic development processes.Institut national de la santé et de la recherche de Médical

A Novel Cortical Mechanism for Top-Down Control of Water Intake

Water intake is crucial for maintaining body fluid homeostasis and animals' survival [1-4]. In the brain, complex processes trigger thirst and drinking behavior [1-5]. The anterior wall of the third ventricle formed by the subfornical organ (SFO), the median preoptic nucleus, and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) constitute the primary structures sensing thirst signals and modulating water intake [6-10]. These subcortical regions are connected with the neocortex [11]. In particular, insular and anterior cingulate cortices (IC and ACC, respectively) have been shown to receive indirect innervations from the SFO and OVLT in rats [11] and to be involved in the control of water intake [12-15]. Type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB) modulate consummatory behaviors, such as feeding [16-26]. However, the role of CB receptors in the control of water intake is still a matter of debate [27-31]. Here, we show that endogenous activation of CB in cortical glutamatergic neurons of the ACC promotes water intake. Notably, presynaptic CB receptors of ACC glutamatergic neurons are abundantly located in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a key area in the regulation of water intake. The selective expression of CB receptors in the ACC-to-BLA-projecting neurons is sufficient to stimulate drinking behavior. Moreover, chemogenetic stimulation of these projecting neurons suppresses drinking behavior, further supporting the role of this neuronal population in the control of water intake. Altogether, these data reveal a novel cortico-amygdalar mechanism involved in the regulation of drinking behavior.Développment d'une infrastructure française distribuée coordonnéeDissection des mécanismes hypothalamiques impliqués dans la détection du statut nutritionnel et régulation de la prise alimentaire via les interactions entre mTORC1, les mélanocortines et les endocannabinoïdes.Représentation sensorielle lors d'états psychotiquesRecepteurs aux cannabinoides dans le codage visuel corticalBordeaux Region Aquitaine Initiative for NeuroscienceNeurocircuitry of endocannabinoid regulation of food intakeDevelopment of pregnenolone derivatives as allosteric inhibitors of CB1 cannabinoid receptors for thetreatment of schizophrenia and psychotic syndrome

An unconventional GABAergic circuit differently controls pyramidal neuron activity in two visual cortical areas via endocannabinoids

Summary Perisomatic inhibition of neocortical pyramidal neurons (PNs) coordinates cortical network activity during sensory processing, and it has been mainly attributed to parvalbumin-expressing basket cells (BCs). However, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)-expressing interneurons also inhibit the perisomatic region of PNs but the connectivity and function of these elusive – yet prominent – neocortical GABAergic cells is unknown. We found that the connectivity pattern of CB1-positive BCs strongly differs between primary and high-order cortical visual areas. Moreover, persistently active CB1 signaling suppresses GABA release from CB1 BCs in the medial secondary visual cortex (V2M), but not in the primary (V1) visual area. Accordingly, in vivo , tonic CB1 signaling is responsible for higher but less coordinated PN activity in V2M than in V1. Our results indicate a differential CB1-mediated mechanism controlling PN activity, and suggest an alternative connectivity schemes of a specific GABAergic circuit in different cortical area

The motivation for exercise over palatable food is dictated by cannabinoid type-1 receptors

International audienceThe lack of intrinsic motivation to engage in, and adhere to, physical exercise has major health consequences. However, the neurobiological bases of exercise motivation are still unknown. This study aimed at examining whether the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in this process. To do so, we developed an operant conditioning paradigm wherein mice unlocked a running wheel with nose pokes. Using pharmacological tools and conditional mutants for cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors, we provide evidence that CB1 receptors located on GABAergic neurons are both necessary and sufficient to positively control running motivation. Conversely, this receptor population proved dispensable for the modulation of running duration per rewarded sequence. Although the ECS mediated the motivation for another reward, namely palatable food, such a regulation was independent from CB1 receptors on GABAergic neurons. In addition, we report that the lack of CB1 receptors on GABAergic neurons decreases the preference for running over palatable food when mice were proposed an exclusive choice between the two rewards. Beyond providing a paradigm that enables motivation processes for exercise to be dissected either singly or in concurrence, this study is the first to our knowledge to identify a neurobiological mechanism that might contribute to sedentary behavio