Many affective disorders are caused or exacerbated by exposure to severe or repeated stressors. Despite the important role of stressor exposure in modulating emotion, the mechanisms by which central emotional circuits are altered by stress are still unknown. Substantial evidence has suggested that the dorsal anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediates anxiety-like behavior in humans and animals, and it is likely that altered BNST function underlies anxiety disorders. We have shown that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) activation and release in the BNST mediates many of the behavioral effects of repeated stress in males and females, and that circulating PACAP levels and a unique single nucleotide polymorphism in the PAC1 receptor predict PTSD symptoms and diagnosis in women, suggesting that PACAP systems. In non-stressed organisms, BNST PACAP release likely originates from the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBn); however, we argue that following chronic stress, local BNST PACAP production and release is increased concurrent to an increase in PAC1 receptor-mediated activation of locally-projecting corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the BNST to produce pathological anxiety. Importantly, different PAC1 receptor isoforms can signal via multiple mechanisms to produce short-duration and sustained effects on neuronal excitability. Hence, the activation of cAMP subsequent to membrane-bound PAC1 receptor activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC) likely leads to the immediate changes in BNSTov excitability observed following PACAP. However, the phosphorylation and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK) via endosomal signaling likely leads to a sustained anxiogenic response, and pERK signaling may also support trophic actions to enhance anxiety-like behavioral responding for even longer periods. The experiments in this application use a combination of molecular, physiological and behavioral approaches to investigate whether PACAP targets different populations of BNSTov neurons in stress- and unstressed males and females, and whether different PAC1 receptor signaling pathways mediate anxiogenic behavior with different temporal characteristics. Understanding the signaling cascades and cellular targets that mediate the effects of BNST PACAP could help to better target the maladaptive consequences of stressor exposure.

Public Health Relevance

Many affective disorders in humans result from exposure to environmental stressors. However, the mechanisms by which stressor exposure modulates the central nervous system to produce pathological emotional states are still unknown. We have implicated central pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) as a critical mediator of the effects of stressor exposure on emotion. The studies in this proposal investigate whether PACAP-related neural circuits, signaling events, and targeted cell types that regulate anxiety with different temporal characteristics, and how these mechanisms may differ in males and females.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH097988-08
Application #
10051419
Study Section
Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section (NMB)
Program Officer
Tonelli, Leonardo H
Project Start
2012-05-29
Project End
2023-10-31
Budget Start
2020-11-01
Budget End
2021-10-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
066811191
City
Burlington
State
VT
Country
United States
Zip Code
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Roman, Carolyn W; Lezak, Kim R; Hartsock, Matthew J et al. (2014) PAC1 receptor antagonism in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) attenuates the endocrine and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 47:151-65
Lezak, K R; Roelke, E; Harris, O M et al. (2014) Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) increases corticosterone in male and female rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 45:11-20

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