title: Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Are Crucial for Tuning of E/I Balance in Prelimbic Cortex and for Decision-Making Processes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decision-making is an essential component of our everyday life commonly disabled in a myriad of psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar and impulsive control disorders, addiction and pathological gambling, or schizophrenia. A large cerebral network encompassing the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the nucleus accumbens is activated for efficient decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a mouse gambling task well suited to investigate the influence of uncertainty and risk in decision-making and the role of neurobiological circuits and their monoaminergic inputs. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of the PFC are important for decision-making processes but their presumed roles in risk-taking and uncertainty management, as well as in cellular balance of excitation and inhibition (E/I) need to be investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using mice lacking nAChRs - β2-/-mice, we evidence for the first time the crucial role of nAChRs in the fine tuning of prefrontal E/I balance together with the PFC, insular, and hippocampal alterations in gambling behavior likely due to sensitivity to penalties and flexibility alterations. Risky behaviors and perseveration in extinction task were largely increased in β2-/-mice as compared to control mice, suggesting the important role of nAChRs in the ability to make appropriate choices adapted to the outcome.
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay, Orsay, France; Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées et Unité Fatigue & Vigilance, Brétigny-sur-orge, France.
authors: Elsa Cécile
authors: EC
authors: Pittaras
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Faure
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Leray
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Elina
authors: E
authors: Moraitopoulou
authors: Brain@vior , Saint-Prest , France.
authors: Arnaud
authors: A
authors: Cressant
authors: Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées et Unité Fatigue & Vigilance , Brétigny-sur-orge , France.
authors: Arnaud Alexandre
authors: AA
authors: Rabat
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Meunier
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Fossier
authors: CNRS 9197, Institut de Neuroscience Paris Saclay , Orsay , France.
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Granon
keywords: anxiety; brain activation; cfos; gambling behaviors; prefrontal cortex; risk-taking; social behavior