Biology subjects

Baufreton, J. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Baufreton, J. M..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

tVTA controls dual dopaminergic inputs to the external Globus Pallidus

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons critically regulate basal ganglia function through their widespread projections. While the nigrostriatal pathway is well characterized and represents the dominant source of DA in the basal ganglia, other nuclei such as the external Globus Pallidus (GPe) also receive dopaminergic innervation, yet no consensus exists about its precise anatomical origin. In addition, the GABAergic tail of the ventral tegmental area (tVTA) provides a major inhibitory input to midbrain DA neurons, but its influence over DA pathways to the GPe remains unknown. In the rat, we combined retrograde tracing, immunohistochemistry, and ex vivo electrophysiology to identify distinct populations of DA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) that project to the GPe and display distinct electrophysiological properties. Using optogenetics and electrophysiology, we also demonstrate that these GPe-projecting DA neurons receive powerful inhibitory input from the tVTA. Together, our findings define both the origin and inhibitory control of dopaminergic innervation to the GPe, revealing a previously unrecognized disynaptic circuit (tVTA[->]DA[->]GPe) that refines our understanding of basal ganglia circuit function.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Locus Coeruleus alpha-Synuclein Overexpression Induces Prodromal Parkinsonian Features in Mice

The locus coeruleus is one of the first brain regions to develop -synuclein pathology during the prodromal phase of Parkinsons Disease, contributing significantly to non-motor symptoms such as cognitive decline, mood alterations or sleep disturbances. However, the precise role of the locus coeruleus in the early stages of the disease remains unclear. To address this, we developed and characterized a novel mouse model based on the PRSx8-driven overexpression of human -synuclein in noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus using an adeno-associated viral vector. Animals were assessed at 1 and 3 months post-injection using an integrated battery of histological, behavioural, neurochemical, and electrophysiological analyses. We observed robust accumulation of phosphorylated -synuclein in the locus coeruleus, along with widespread propagation to projection areas, including the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and dorsal raphe. Despite the absence of neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus, we identified reduced noradrenergic axonal integrity and marked decreases in both noradrenaline and serotonin levels, highlighting a disruption of neurochemical balance at an early stage. The electrophysiological data revealed transient alterations in the excitability and intrinsic properties of locus coeruleus neurons in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting that -synuclein pathology induces early functional disruption prior to overt neurodegeneration. Behavioural outcomes demonstrated selective cognitive deficits and mild anxiety-like behaviours, while other non-motor functions remained preserved. Importantly, although several pathological and functional alterations were evident in the initial phases, behavioural impairments were also maintained at later time points, indicating that locus coeruleus-driven pathology exerts long-lasting consequences. Interestingly, female mice exhibited colon shortening, providing evidence of a sex-specific pathological process at the level of the gut-brain axis. We believe that this model accurately replicates key prodromal features of Parkinsons disease, demonstrating that -synuclein-induced pathology in the locus coeruleus leads to functional circuit impairment and cognitive decline. Our findings emphasize the locus coeruleus as a critical site of early vulnerability in Parkinsons Disease and underscore the importance of sex as a biological variable influencing disease progression and therapeutic response.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Developmental alterations of indirect-pathway medium spiny neurons in mouse models of Huntington's disease.

Huntingtons disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the Huntingtin protein (Htt). While symptoms, primarily characterized by progressive deterioration of the striatum and motor and cognitive functions, typically manifest in adulthood, recent studies have also highlighted developmental defects in HD. Indeed, alterations in cortical and striatal development have been observed in individuals carrying the mutation as early as in embryonic stages. However, despite the striatum being one of the most affected regions in HD, few studies have investigated potential developmental alterations in this structure, especially in the early weeks after birth. To address this question, we compared striatal development between wild-type (WT) mice and two murine models of HD, R6/1 and CAG140 mice crossed with reporter mice to identify D1- and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1- and D2-MSNs). Using ex vivo electrophysiology and neuronal reconstruction, we observed that the maturation of electrical properties was selectively disrupted in D2-MSNs of the matrix compartment of HD mice during the first post-natal days. D2-MSNs arbor also an increased dendritic complexity. When studying the establishment of striatal afferents, we observed that cortico-striatal glutamatergic transmission was specifically reduced in D2-MSNs during the second postnatal week. All these alterations were transient before the circuit normalized on its own after the second postnatal week. These anatomical and electrophysiological data highlight the significant impact of the Htt mutation on numerous striatal development processes during the postnatal period. Interestingly, we observed that these alterations specifically affect MSNs in the indirect pathway. This preferential vulnerability aligns with the early death of these neurons in adulthood, suggesting that early treatment of these alterations could potentially modify the diseases progression.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Into the deep: The subthalamic and para-subthalamic nuclei in behavioral avoidance

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key component of the brain network for movement control. However, the STN is strikingly heterogeneous and also intricately engaged in limbic and cognitive functions. The STN shows aberrant firing activity in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinso[n]s disease (PD). Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the STN alleviates motor impairment in PD, but patients have reported altered mood as adverse side-effect. Recent observations suggest that optogenetic STN activation in mice induces flight behavior. We hypothesized that STN activation stand at risk of causing an aversive response with behavioral avoidance as consequence. The STN is directly adjoined with the para-STN (pSTN), a hypothalamic area correlated with appetitive and aversive behavior. STN-DBS aiming to correct STN might thereby also modulate pSTN. To dissociate the impact of STN and pSTN, we took advantage of selective promoters in mice, identified in our recent RNA- sequencing of the subthalamic area, to selectively direct optogenetic excitation. Acute photostimulation resulted in aversion via both the STN and pSTN, but only STN- stimulation-paired cues resulted in conditioned avoidance. Viral-genetic tracing coupled with electrophysiological recordings identified a polysynaptic pathway from the STN to the lateral habenula, a critical hub for aversion and associated with clinical depression. This study demonstrates that STN activation is directly correlated with aversion, and thereby contributes neurobiological underpinnings to emotional affect upon STN manipulation with implications for STN-targeted treatment outcome.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Dysregulation of external globus pallidus-subthalamic nucleus network dynamics in Parkinsonian mice

Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons form a key, centrally-positioned network within the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical brain nuclei critical for voluntary movement. In Parkinsons disease (PD) and its models, abnormal rates and patterns of GPe-STN network activity are linked to motor dysfunction. Using cell class-specific optogenetic identification and inhibition approaches during cortical slow-wave activity and activation, we report that in dopamine-depleted mice 1) D2 dopamine receptor expressing striatal projection neurons (D2-SPNs) are hyperactive 2) prototypic parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GPe neurons are excessively patterned by D2-SPNs 3) despite being disinhibited, STN neurons are not hyperactive 4) the STN opposes rather than facilitates abnormal striatopallidal patterning. Together with recent studies, these data argue that in Parkinsonian mice abnormal, temporally offset PV GPe neuron and STN activity results from increased striatopallidal transmission and that compensatory plasticity within the STN prevents its hyperactivity.

neuroscience↗