Chronic activation of a negative engram induces behavioral and cellular abnormalities

Author:

Jellinger Alexandra L1,Suthard Rebecca L12ORCID,Yuan Bingbing3,Surets Michelle1,Ruesch Evan A1,Caban Albit J12,Liu Shawn4ORCID,Shpokayte Monika12,Ramirez Steve156ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University

2. Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University

3. Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, MIT

4. Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center

5. Neurophotonics Center, and Photonics Center, Boston University

6. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

Abstract

Negative memories engage a brain and body-wide stress response in humans that can alter cognition and behavior. Prolonged stress responses induce maladaptive cellular, circuit, and systems-level changes that can lead to pathological brain states and corresponding disorders in which mood and memory are affected. However, it is unclear if repeated activation of cells processing negative memories induces similar phenotypes in mice. In this study, we used an activity-dependent tagging method to access neuronal ensembles and assess their molecular characteristics. Sequencing memory engrams in mice revealed that positive (male-to-female exposure) and negative (foot shock) cells upregulated genes linked to anti- and pro-inflammatory responses, respectively. To investigate the impact of persistent activation of negative engrams, we chemogenetically activated them in the ventral hippocampus over 3 months and conducted anxiety and memory-related tests. Negative engram activation increased anxiety behaviors in both 6- and 14-month-old mice, reduced spatial working memory in older mice, impaired fear extinction in younger mice, and heightened fear generalization in both age groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed changes in microglial and astrocytic structure and number in the hippocampus. In summary, repeated activation of negative memories induces lasting cellular and behavioral abnormalities in mice, offering insights into the negative effects of chronic negative thinking-like behaviors on human health.

Funder

National Institutes of Health

Ludwig Family Foundation

Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences

Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative

Center for Systems Neuroscience and Neurophotonics Center at Boston University

Nationai Institutes of Health Early Independence Award

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

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