Chronic fluoxetine treatment impairs motivation and reward learning by affecting neuronal plasticity in the central amygdala

Abstract

To study the effects of chronic FLX treatment we combine an automated assessment of motivation and learning in mice with an investigation of various forms of neuronal plasticity in the central (CeA) and basolateral amygdala (BLA). We use immunohistochemistry to visualize neuronal types and perineuronal nets (PNN), and DI-staining to assess dendritic spine morphology. Gel zymography is used to test FLX's impact on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an enzyme involved in synaptic plasticity. We show that chronic FLX treatment in non-stressed mice increases PNN-dependent plasticity in the BLA, while simultaneously impairing MMP-9-dependent plasticity in the CeA. Further, we illustrate how the latter contributes to anhedonia and deficits of reward learning. Behavioral impairments are accompanied by alterations in morphology of dendritic spines in the CeA towards a more immature state, most likely reflecting animals' inability to adapt. We strengthen the link between the adverse effects of FLX and its influence on MMP-9 by showing that behavior of MMP-9 knock-out animals remains unaffected by the drug. In conclusion, chronic FLX treatment differentially affects various forms of neuronal plasticity, which may explain its contradicting effects on the brain and behavior. Presented findings are of immediate clinical relevance since reported side effects of FLX pose a potential threat to patients.