Plasticity in ventral pallidal cholinergic neuron-derived circuits contributes to comorbid chronic pain-like and depression-like behaviour in male mice.

ABSTRACT: Nucleus- and cell-specific interrogation of individual basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic circuits is crucial for refining targets to treat comorbid chronic pain-like and depression-like behaviour. As the ventral pallidum (VP) in the BF regulates pain perception and emotions, we aim to address the role of VP-derived cholinergic circuits in hyperalgesia and depression-like behaviour in chronic pain mouse model. In male mice, VP cholinergic neurons innervate local non-cholinergic neurons and modulate downstream basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These cholinergic circuits are mobilized by pain-like stimuli and become hyperactive during persistent pain. Acute stimulation of VP cholinergic neurons and the VP-BLA cholinergic projection reduces pain thres

SUBMITTER: Ji YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10110548 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature