RT Journal Article
T1 Effect of Deep Brain Stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex on the noradrenergic system in rats
A1 Torres-Sanchez, Sonia
A1 Perez-Caballero, Laura
A1 Mico, Juan A.
A1 Celada, Pau
A1 Berrocoso, Esther
K1 Deep brain stimulation
K1 Locus coeruleus
K1 Depression
K1 Prefrontal cortex
K1 Local field potential
K1 Locus-coeruleus neurons
K1 Major depressive disorder
K1 Efferent projections
K1 Receptor blockade
K1 Frontal-cortex
K1 Chronic pain
K1 Activation
K1 Model
K1 Mood
K1 Oscillations
AB Background: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the subgenual cingulate cortex (SCC) is a promising therapeutic alternative to treat resistant major depressive disorder. In preclinical studies, DBS of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC, the rodent SCC correlate) provokes an antidepressant-like effect, along with changes in noradrenaline levels at the site of stimulation. Hence, DBS appears to activate the noradrenergic-locus coeruleus (LC) system.Objective/Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vmPFC DBS on the electrical activity of noradrenergic LC neurons, cortical oscillations and coherence between both brain areas in male rats.Methods: The antidepressant-like effect of vmPFC DBS was evaluated through the forced swimming test. Tonic and evoked activity of LC neurons, LC activity of alpha2-adrenoceptors, local field potentials from LC and electrocorticogram signals were studied after DBS by electrophysiological recordings in anaesthetized rats. The effect of DBS on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), noradrenaline transporters (NAT), phosphorylation of the extracellular signaleregulated kinase (ERK) and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) expression in the LC were measured by western blot assays.Results: DBS induced an antidepressant-like effect increasing climbing behaviour in the FST that was accompanied by a robust increase of TH expression in the rat LC. The tonic and evoked activity of LC neurons was enhanced by DBS, which impaired alpha2-adrenoceptors activity. DBS also promoted an increase in slow LC oscillations, as well as a shift in LC-cortical coherence.Conclusion: DBS of the vmPFC appears to affect the LC, producing changes that may underlie its antidepressant-like effects. 
PB Elsevier
SN 1935-861X
YR 2017
FD 2017-10-05
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/18718
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/18718
LA en
NO Torres-Sanchez S, Perez-Caballero L, Mico JA, Celada P, Berrocoso E. Effect of Deep Brain Stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex on the noradrenergic system in rats. Brain Stimul. 2018 Jan-Feb;11(1):222-230
DS RISalud
RD Aug 13, 2025