Cited by 104Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchStress Responses and Cortisol

Endocannabinoid Signaling Collapse Mediates Stress-Induced Amygdalo-Cortical Strengthening

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Marcus, David J., Bedse, Gaurav, Gaulden, Andrew D., Ryan, James D., Kondev, Veronika, Winters, Nathan D., Rosas-Vidal, Luis E., Altemus, Megan +4 more·2020·Neuron

Abstract

Functional coupling between the amygdala and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) has been implicated in the generation of negative affective states; however, the mechanisms by which stress increases amygdala-dmPFC synaptic strength and generates anxiety-like behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the mouse basolateral amygdala (BLA)-prelimbic prefrontal cortex (plPFC) circuit is engaged by stress and activation of this pathway in anxiogenic. Furthermore, we demonstrate that acute stress exposure leads to a lasting increase in synaptic strength within a reciprocal BLA-plPFC-BLA subcircuit. Importantly, we identify 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)-mediated endocannabinoid signaling as a key mechanism limiting glutamate release at BLA-plPFC synapses and the functional collapse of multimodal 2-AG signaling as a molecular mechanism leading to persistent circuit-specific synaptic strengthening and anxiety-like behaviors after stress exposure. These data suggest that circuit-specific impairment in 2-AG signaling could facilitate functional coupling between the BLA and plPFC and the translation of environmental stress to affective pathology.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.12.024

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  • Synaptic connections between PL neurons and BLA inputs strengthen in response to stress, in part through endocannabinoid-mediated mechanisms.

    “Synaptic connections between PL neurons and BLA inputs also strengthen in response to stress, in part through endocannabinoid-mediated mechanisms [52].”

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  1. Robinson OJ, Krimsky M, Lieberman L, Allen P, Vytal K, and Grillon C (2014). Towards a mechanistic understanding of pathological anxiety: the dorsal medial prefrontal-amygdala ‘aversive amplification’ circuit in unmedicated generalized and social anxiety disorders. Lancet Psychiatry 1, 294– 302. 25722962 PMC4337019

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Authors
Marcus, D. J., Bedse, G., Gaulden, A. D., Ryan, J. D., Kondev, V., Winters, N. D., Rosas-Vidal, L. E., Altemus, M., Mackie, K., Lee, F. S., Delpire, E., & Patel, S.
Affiliations
  • Vanderbilt University (US)
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
  • Weill Cornell Medicine (US)
  • Indiana University Bloomington (US)
Corresponding author
Patel, Sachin
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-03
Volume
105
Issue
6
Pages
1062-1076.e6
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2946990124
Cited by
104
References
95
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 14
FWCI
8.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (DA043982, MH107435, MH114363, NS052819)
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (AA9013514)
  • National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
endocannabinoid signaling, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, acute stress, anxiety-like behavior, basolateral amygdala, prelimbic cortex, synaptic plasticity, glutamate release, stress-induced anxiety
MeSH terms
Animals, Anxiety, Arachidonic Acids, Glycerides, Male, Neural Pathways, Synaptic Transmission, Restraint, Physical, Stress, Psychological, Prefrontal Cortex, Glutamic Acid, Mice, Endocannabinoids, Basolateral Nuclear Complex

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