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Interhemispheric regulation of the rat medial prefrontal cortical glutamate stress response: role of local GABA- and dopamine-sensitive mechanisms

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Abstract

Rationale

We previously reported that stressors increase medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) glutamate (GLU) levels as a result of activating callosal neurons located in the opposite hemisphere and that this PFC GLU stress response is regulated by GLU-, dopamine- (DA-), and GABA-sensitive mechanisms (Lupinsky et al. 2010).

Objectives

Here, we examine the possibility that PFC DA regulates the stress responsivity of callosal neurons indirectly by acting at D1 and D2 receptors located on GABA interneurons.

Methods

Microdialysis combined with drug perfusion (reverse dialysis) or microinjections was used in adult male Long-Evans rats to characterize D1, D2, and GABAB receptor-mediated regulation of the PFC GABA response to tail-pinch (TP) stress.

Results

We report that TP stress reliably elicited comparable increases in extracellular GABA in the left and right PFCs. SCH23390 (D1 antagonist; 100 μM perfusate concentration) perfused by reverse microdialysis attenuated the local GABA stress responses equally in the left and right PFCs. Intra-PFC raclopride perfusion (D2 antagonist; 100 μM) had the opposite effect, not only potentiating the local GABA stress response but also causing a transient elevation in basal (pre-stress) GABA. Moreover, unilateral PFC raclopride microinjection (6 nmol) attenuated the GLU response to TP stress in the contralateral PFC. Finally, intra-PFC baclofen perfusion (GABAB agonist; 100 μM) inhibited the local GLU and GABA stress responses.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings implicate PFC GABA interneurons in processing stressful stimuli, showing that local D1, D2, and GABAB receptor-mediated changes in PFC GABA transmission play a crucial role in the interhemispheric regulation of GLU stress responsivity.

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) grant to A.G. and a Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) doctoral fellowship to D.L.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H4H 1R3, Canada

    Derek Lupinsky & Alain Gratton

  2. Douglas Institute Research Center, 6875 LaSalle Blvd, Montréal, Québec, H4H 1R3, Canada

    Derek Lupinsky, Luc Moquin & Alain Gratton

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  1. Derek Lupinsky
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  2. Luc Moquin
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Correspondence to Derek Lupinsky.

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All procedures were approved by the McGill University Animal Care Committee in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

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Lupinsky, D., Moquin, L. & Gratton, A. Interhemispheric regulation of the rat medial prefrontal cortical glutamate stress response: role of local GABA- and dopamine-sensitive mechanisms. Psychopharmacology 234, 353–363 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4468-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4468-6

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