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Jiménez JC, Cortés-Salazar F, Ruiz-García RI, Hernández D, Miranda F. The effects of intra-accumbal administration of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist cytisine on the operant oral self-administration of ethanol were prevented by the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 244:173850. [PMID: 39159761 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Although the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system is the main neurochemical substrate that regulates the addictive and reinforcing effects of ethanol (EtOH), other neurotransmitter systems, such as the acetylcholine (Ach) system, modulate DAergic function in the nucleus accumbens (nAcc). Previously, we reported that intra-nAcc administration of the nicotinic Ach receptor agonist cytisine increased oral EtOH self-administration. GABAB receptors in the nAcc are expressed in DAergic terminals, inhibit the regulation of DA release into the nAcc, and could modulate the effects of cytisine on oral EtOH self-administration. The present study assessed the effects of intra-nAcc administration of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (BCF) on the impacts of cytisine on oral EtOH self-administration. METHODS Male Wistar rats were deprived of water for 23.30 h and then trained to press a lever to receive EtOH on an FR3 schedule until a stable response rate of 80 % was achieved. After this training, the rats received an intra-nAcc injection of the nAch receptor agonist cytisine, BCF, and cytisine or 2-hydroxysaclofen, BCF, and cytisine before they were given access to EtOH on an FR3 schedule. RESULTS Intra-nAcc injections of cytisine increased oral EtOH self-administration; this effect was reduced by BCF, and 2-hydroxysaclofen blocked the effects of BCF. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the reinforcing effects of EtOH are modulated not only by the DA system but also by other neurotransmitter systems involved in regulating DA release from DAergic terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Jiménez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Mexico
| | - Felipe Cortés-Salazar
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Mexico
| | - Rosa I Ruiz-García
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Mexico
| | - David Hernández
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Florencio Miranda
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Mexico.
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2
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Patel C, Patel R, Maturkar V, Jain NS. Central cholinergic transmission affects the compulsive-like behavior of mice in marble-burying test. Brain Res 2024; 1825:148713. [PMID: 38097126 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The presence of the cholinergic system in the brain areas implicated in the precipitation of obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCB) has been reported but the exact role of the central cholinergic system therein is still unexplored. Therefore, the current study assessed the effect of cholinergic analogs on central administration on the marble-burying behavior (MBB) of mice, a behavior correlated with OCB. The result reveals that the enhancement of central cholinergic transmission in mice achieved by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of acetylcholine (0.01 µg) (Subeffective: 0.1 and 0.5 µg), cholinesterase inhibitor, neostigmine (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 µg/mouse) and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, nicotine (0.1, 2 µg/mouse) significantly attenuated the number of marbles buried by mice in MBB test without affecting basal locomotor activity. Similarly, central injection of mAChR antagonist, atropine (0.1, 0.5, 5 µg/mouse), nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine (0.1, 0.5, 3 µg/mouse) per se also reduced the MBB in mice, indicative of anti-OCB like effect of all the tested cholinergic mAChR or nAChR agonist and antagonist. Surprisingly, i.c.v. injection of acetylcholine (0.01 µg), and neostigmine (0.1 µg) failed to elicit an anti-OCB-like effect in mice pre-treated (i.c.v.) with atropine (0.1 µg), or mecamylamine (0.1 µg). Thus, the findings of the present investigationdelineate the role of central cholinergic transmission in the compulsive-like behavior of mice probably via mAChR or nAChR stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhatrapal Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Richa Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Vaibhav Maturkar
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Nishant Sudhir Jain
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India.
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3
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Hauser SR, Waeiss RA, Deehan GA, Engleman EA, Bell RL, Rodd ZA. Adolescent alcohol and nicotine exposure alters the adult response to alcohol use. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:11880. [PMID: 38389816 PMCID: PMC10880795 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.11880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Adolescence through young adulthood is a unique period of neuronal development and maturation. Numerous agents can alter this process, resulting in long-term neurological and biological consequences. In the clinical literature, it is frequently reported that adolescent alcohol consumption increases the propensity to develop addictions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), during adulthood. A general limitation of both clinical and human pre-clinical adolescent alcohol research is the high rate of co-using/abusing more than one drug during adolescence, such as co-using/abusing alcohol with nicotine. A primary goal of basic research is elucidating neuroadaptations produced by adolescent alcohol exposure/consumption that promote alcohol and other drug self-administration in adulthood. The long-term goal is to develop pharmacotherapeutics for the prevention or amelioration of these neuroadaptations. This review will focus on studies that have examined the effects of adolescent alcohol and nicotine exposure on adult alcohol consumption, the hypersensitivity of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, and enhanced responses not only to alcohol but also to nicotine during adulthood. Again, the long-term goal is to identify potential cholinergic agents to prevent or ameliorate the consequences of, peri-adolescent alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheketha R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Robert A Waeiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Gerald A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Zachary A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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4
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Gheidi A, Fitzpatrick CJ, Gregory JD, Morrow JD. Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonism dose-dependently decreases sign- but not goal-tracking behavior in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:871-880. [PMID: 36795109 PMCID: PMC10599605 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acetylcholinergic antagonists have shown some promise in reducing addiction-related behaviors in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, the psychological mechanisms by which these drugs are able to affect addictive behavior remain unclear. A particular key process for the development of addiction is the attribution of incentive salience to reward-related cues, which can be specifically measured in animals using a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure. When confronted with a lever that predicts food delivery, some rats engage with the lever directly (i.e., they sign track), indicating attribution of incentive-motivational properties to the lever itself. In contrast, others treat the lever as a predictive cue and approach the location of impending food delivery (i.e., they goal track), without treating the lever itself as a reward. OBJECTIVES We tested whether systemic antagonism of the either nicotinic or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors would selectively affect sign- or goal-tracking behavior, indicating a selective effect on incentive salience attribution. METHODS A total of 98 male Sprague Dawley rats were either given the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (100, 50, or 10 µg/kg i.p.) or the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (0.3, 1.0, or 3 mg/kg i.p.) before being trained on a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure. RESULTS Scopolamine dose-dependently decreased sign tracking behavior and increased goal-tracking behavior. Mecamylamine reduced sign-tracking but did not affect goal-tracking behavior. CONCLUSIONS Antagonism of either muscarinic or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can reduce incentive sign-tracking behavior in male rats. This effect appears to be specifically due to a reduction in incentive salience attribution since goal-tracking either increased or was not affected by these manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Gheidi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University, Macon, USA
| | | | - Jordan D Gregory
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Jonathan D Morrow
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
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Kamens HM, Flarend G, Horton WJ. The role of nicotinic receptors in alcohol consumption. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106705. [PMID: 36813094 PMCID: PMC10083870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Geneva Flarend
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - William J Horton
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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6
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Straub CJ, Rusali LE, Kremiller KM, Riley AP. What We Have Gained from Ibogaine: α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Inhibitors as Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. J Med Chem 2023; 66:107-121. [PMID: 36440853 PMCID: PMC10034762 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For decades, ibogaine─the main psychoactive alkaloid found in Tabernanthe iboga─has been investigated as a possible treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) due to its purported ability to interrupt the addictive properties of multiple drugs of abuse. Of the numerous pharmacological actions of ibogaine and its derivatives, the inhibition of α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), represents a probable mechanism of action for their apparent anti-addictive activity. In this Perspective, we examine several classes of compounds that have been discovered and developed to target α3β4 nAChRs. Specifically, by focusing on compounds that have proven efficacious in pre-clinical models of drug abuse and have been evaluated clinically, we highlight the promising potential of the α3β4 nAChRs as viable targets to treat a wide array of SUDs. Additionally, we discuss the challenges faced by the existing classes of α3β4 nAChR ligands that must be overcome to develop them into therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn J Straub
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Lisa E Rusali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Kyle M Kremiller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Andrew P Riley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
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7
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Kolpakova J, van der Vinne V, Gimenez-Gomez P, Le T, Martin GE. Binge alcohol drinking alters the differential control of cholinergic interneurons over nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1010121. [PMID: 36589290 PMCID: PMC9797504 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals studies support the notion that striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) play a central role in basal ganglia function by regulating associative learning, reward processing, and motor control. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region that mediates rewarding properties of substance abuse, acetylcholine regulates glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic neurotransmission in naïve mice. However, it is unclear how ChIs orchestrate the control of these neurotransmitters/modulators to determine the synaptic excitability of medium spiny neurons (MSNs), the only projecting neurons that translate accumbens electrical activity into behavior. Also unknown is the impact of binge alcohol drinking on the regulation of dopamine D1- and D2 receptor-expressing MSNs (D1- and D2-MSNs, respectively) by ChIs. To investigate this question, we optogenetically stimulated ChIs while recording evoked and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in nucleus accumbens core D1- and D2-MSN of ChAT.ChR2.eYFPxDrd1.tdtomato mice. In alcohol-naïve mice, we found that stimulating NAc ChIs decreased sEPSCs frequency in both D1- and D2-MSNs, presumably through a presynaptic mechanism. Interestingly, ChI stimulation decreased MSN synaptic excitability through different mechanisms in D1- vs. D2-MSNs. While decrease of ChI-mediated sEPSCs frequency in D1-MSNs was mediated by dopamine, the same effect in D2-MSNs resulted from a direct control of glutamate release by ChIs. Interestingly, after 2 weeks of binge alcohol drinking, optogenetic stimulation of ChIs enhanced glutamate release in D1-MSNs, while its effect on D2-MSNs remained unchanged. Taken together, these data suggest that cholinergic interneurons could be a key target for regulation of NAc circuitry and for alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenya Kolpakova
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Pablo Gimenez-Gomez
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Timmy Le
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Gilles E. Martin
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States,*Correspondence: Gilles E. Martin,
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8
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Kolpakova J, van der Vinne V, Giménez-Gómez P, Le T, You IJ, Zhao-Shea R, Velazquez-Marrero C, Tapper AR, Martin GE. Binge Alcohol Drinking Alters Synaptic Processing of Executive and Emotional Information in Core Nucleus Accumbens Medium Spiny Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:742207. [PMID: 34867199 PMCID: PMC8635139 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.742207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a forebrain region mediating the positive-reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse, including alcohol. It receives glutamatergic projections from multiple forebrain and limbic regions such as the prefrontal cortex (PFCx) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), respectively. However, it is unknown how NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) integrate PFCx and BLA inputs, and how this integration is affected by alcohol exposure. Because progress has been hampered by the inability to independently stimulate different pathways, we implemented a dual wavelength optogenetic approach to selectively and independently stimulate PFCx and BLA NAc inputs within the same brain slice. This approach functionally demonstrates that PFCx and BLA inputs synapse onto the same MSNs where they reciprocally inhibit each other pre-synaptically in a strict time-dependent manner. In alcohol-naïve mice, this temporal gating of BLA-inputs by PFCx afferents is stronger than the reverse, revealing that MSNs prioritize high-order executive processes information from the PFCx. Importantly, binge alcohol drinking alters this reciprocal inhibition by unilaterally strengthening BLA inhibition of PFCx inputs. In line with this observation, we demonstrate that in vivo optogenetic stimulation of the BLA, but not PFCx, blocks binge alcohol drinking escalation in mice. Overall, our results identify NAc MSNs as a key integrator of executive and emotional information and show that this integration is dysregulated during binge alcohol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenya Kolpakova
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Pablo Giménez-Gómez
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Timmy Le
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - In-Jee You
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rubing Zhao-Shea
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Cristina Velazquez-Marrero
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Andrew R Tapper
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Gilles E Martin
- Department of Neurobiology, The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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9
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Chen G, Ghazal M, Rahman S, Lutfy K. The impact of adolescent nicotine exposure on alcohol use during adulthood: The role of neuropeptides. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 161:53-93. [PMID: 34801174 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine and alcohol abuse and co-dependence represent major public health crises. Indeed, previous research has shown that the prevalence of alcoholism is higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Adolescence is a susceptible period of life for the initiation of nicotine and alcohol use and the development of nicotine-alcohol codependence. However, there is a limited number of pharmacotherapeutic agents to treat addiction to nicotine or alcohol alone. Notably, there is no effective medication to treat this comorbid disorder. This chapter aims to review the early nicotine use and its impact on subsequent alcohol abuse during adolescence and adulthood as well as the role of neuropeptides in this comorbid disorder. The preclinical and clinical findings discussed in this chapter will advance our understanding of this comorbid disorder's neurobiology and lay a foundation for developing novel pharmacotherapies to treat nicotine and alcohol codependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Chen
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - M Ghazal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - S Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - K Lutfy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States.
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10
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Radke AK, Sneddon EA, Frasier RM, Hopf FW. Recent Perspectives on Sex Differences in Compulsion-Like and Binge Alcohol Drinking. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073788. [PMID: 33917517 PMCID: PMC8038761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder remains a substantial social, health, and economic problem and problem drinking levels in women have been increasing in recent years. Understanding whether and how the underlying mechanisms that drive drinking vary by sex is critical and could provide novel, more targeted therapeutic treatments. Here, we examine recent results from our laboratories and others which we believe provide useful insights into similarities and differences in alcohol drinking patterns across the sexes. Findings for binge intake and aversion-resistant, compulsion-like alcohol drinking are considered, since both are likely significant contributors to alcohol problems in humans. We also describe studies regarding mechanisms that may underlie sex differences in maladaptive alcohol drinking, with some focus on the importance of nucleus accumbens (NAcb) core and shell regions, several receptor types (dopamine, orexin, AMPA-type glutamate), and possible contributions of sex hormones. Finally, we discuss how stressors such as early life stress and anxiety-like states may interact with sex differences to contribute to alcohol drinking. Together, these findings underscore the importance and critical relevance of studying female and male mechanisms for alcohol and co-morbid conditions to gain a true and clinically useful understanding of addiction and neuropsychiatric mechanisms and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Radke
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45040, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Elizabeth A. Sneddon
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45040, USA;
| | - Raizel M. Frasier
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.F.); (F.W.H.)
| | - Frederic W. Hopf
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.F.); (F.W.H.)
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11
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Touchette JC, Moen JK, Robinson JM, Lee AM. Enhancement of alcohol aversion by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor drug sazetidine-A. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12908. [PMID: 32329567 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has steadily increased in the United States over the last 30 years. Alcohol acts on multiple receptor systems including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are known to mediate alcohol consumption and reward. We previously reported that the preclinical drug sazetidine-A, a nAChR agonist and desensitizer, reduces alcohol consumption without affecting nicotine consumption in C57BL/6J mice. Here, we found that sazetidine-A enhances the expression of alcohol aversion without affecting the expression or acquisition of conditioned alcohol reward in C57BL/6J mice. Microinjection of sazetidine-A into the ventral midbrain targeting the ventral tegmental area (VTA) reduced binge alcohol consumption, implicating this region in mediating the effects of sazetidine-A. Furthermore, the sazetidine-A-induced reduction in alcohol consumption was mediated by non-α4 containing nAChRs, as sazetidine-A reduced binge alcohol consumption in both α4 knock-out and wild-type mice. Finally, we found that in mice pretreated with sazetidine-A, alcohol induced Fos transcript in Th-, but not Gad2-expressing neurons in the VTA as measured by increased Fos transcript expression. In summary, we find that sazetidine-A enhances the expression of alcohol aversion, which may underlie the reduction in alcohol consumption induced by sazetidine-A. Elucidating the identity of non-α4 nAChRs in alcohol aversion mechanisms will provide a better understanding the complex role of nAChRs in alcohol addiction and potentially reveal novel drug targets to treat AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janna K. Moen
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Jenna M. Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Anna M. Lee
- Department of Pharmacology University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
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12
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Domi A, Barbier E, Adermark L, Domi E. Targeting the Opioid Receptors: A Promising Therapeutic Avenue for Treatment in “Heavy Drinking Smokers”. Alcohol Alcohol 2021; 56:127-138. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agaa139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
Despite a general decline in tobacco use in the last decades, the prevalence of tobacco smoking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains substantial (45–50%). Importantly, the co-use of both substances potentiates the adverse effects, making it a significant public health problem. Substantial evidence suggests that AUD and Tobacco use disorder (TUD) may share common mechanisms. Targeting these mechanisms may therefore provide more effective therapy. Numerous studies describe a potential role of the endogenous opioid system in both AUD and TUD. Reviewing this literature, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of molecules that target the opioid system as promising therapeutic interventions for treating alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders.
Methods
We provide a synthesis of the current epidemiological knowledge of alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders. We evaluate clinical and preclinical research that focuses on the regulation of the endogenous opioid system in alcohol, nicotine, and their interactions.
Results
The epidemiological data confirm that smoking stimulates heavy drinking and facilitates alcohol craving. Pharmacological findings suggest that treatments that are efficacious in the dual addiction provide a beneficial treatment outcome in comorbid AUD and TUD. In this regard, MOP, DOP and NOP-receptor antagonists show promising results, while the findings prompt caution when considering KOP-receptor antagonists as a treatment option in alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders.
Conclusions
Existing literature suggests a role of the opioid system in sustaining the high comorbidity rates of AUD and TUD. Molecules targeting opioid receptors may therefore represent promising therapeutic interventions in ‘heavy drinking smokers.’
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg, Box 410, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Campus US, Entrance 65, Linköping 581 85, Sweden
| | - Louise Adermark
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg, Box 410, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Esi Domi
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Campus US, Entrance 65, Linköping 581 85, Sweden
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13
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Miller CN, Kamens HM. The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in alcohol-related behaviors. Brain Res Bull 2020; 163:135-142. [PMID: 32707263 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes an alarming economic and health burden in the United States. Unfortunately, this disease does not exist in isolation; AUD is highly comorbid with nicotine use. Results from both human and animal models demonstrate a genetic correlation between alcohol and nicotine behaviors. These data support the idea of shared genetic and neural mechanisms underlying these behaviors. Nicotine acts directly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to have its pharmacological effect. Interestingly, alcohol also acts both directly and indirectly at these receptors. Research utilizing genetically engineered rodents and pharmacological manipulations suggest a role for nAChR in several ethanol behaviors. The current manuscript collates this literature and discusses findings that implicate specific nAChR subunits in ethanol phenotypes. These data suggest future directions for targeting nAChR as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
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14
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DeBaker MC, Robinson JM, Moen JK, Wickman K, Lee AM. Differential patterns of alcohol and nicotine intake: Combined alcohol and nicotine binge consumption behaviors in mice. Alcohol 2020; 85:57-64. [PMID: 31557515 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Late adolescence and young adulthood, corresponding to the high school and college years, are vulnerable periods for increased alcohol and nicotine use. The dramatic increase in the prevalence of electronic cigarette use is particularly concerning in these age groups. Late adolescents and young adults are more likely to engage in cycles of binge drug consumption, and alcohol and nicotine are frequently used together. However, there are few data examining the combination of alcohol and nicotine in binge models in animal models. In this study, our objectives were to determine how voluntary nicotine consumption beginning in late adolescence influenced subsequent binge alcohol consumption in young adulthood, how a combination of alcohol and nicotine binge consumption differed from alcohol-only binge consumption, and whether nicotine would be consumed when presented in a binge procedure. Male C57BL/6J mice voluntarily consumed unsweetened alcohol and nicotine in continuous-access bottle-choice procedures in combination with cycles of drinking-in-the-dark. Our results show that experience with voluntary nicotine consumption in late adolescence did not affect subsequent binge alcohol consumption in early adulthood. However, mice that consumed nicotine in adolescence showed an initial decrease in alcohol preference, and consequently increase in nicotine preference, on the first session of combined ethanol and nicotine binge consumption in adulthood compared with mice that drank only water during late adolescence. Lastly, we found that mice readily consumed unsweetened nicotine when presented in a binge procedure, and the level of consumption exceeded the nicotine consumption observed in the combination alcohol and nicotine binge. Our data show that expansion of the patterns of alcohol and nicotine co-consumption in a mouse models is possible, which will enable us to dissect relevant molecular targets underlying these consumption patterns and better inform drug development efforts.
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15
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Miller CN, Kamens HM. Reduced expression of ethanol sensitization by α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in DBA/2J mice. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2020; 28:348-354. [PMID: 31580099 PMCID: PMC7117981 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, however existing treatments are ineffective and produce aversive side effects such as nausea and fatigue. One potential therapeutic for AUD is the α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC). Prior work has shown that 18-MC reduces ethanol consumption in rodent models. The present study sought to further examine the therapeutic potential of 18-MC by testing its effects on nonconsummatory behaviors. We examined 2 behavioral measures: ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation, which measures euphoric properties of the drug, and the expression of locomotor sensitization which models neuroadaptations in response to repeated exposure. We tested dose-dependent effects of 18-MC (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) administration on ethanol stimulation and locomotor sensitization in female and male DBA/2J mice. 18-MC had no effect on acute ethanol-induced stimulation, but the highest dose (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased the expression of locomotor sensitization. Our results support the involvement of α3β4 nAChR in the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization and suggest that 18-MC may be a therapeutic for AUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen M Kamens
- Corresponding Author: Helen M Kamens, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16802, , Phone: 814-865-1269, Fax: 814-863-7525
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16
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Unequal interactions between alcohol and nicotine co-consumption: suppression and enhancement of concurrent drug intake. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:967-978. [PMID: 31858160 PMCID: PMC7124972 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05426-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol and nicotine addiction are prevalent conditions that co-occur. Despite the prevalence of co-use, factors that influence the suppression and enhancement of concurrent alcohol and nicotine intake are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES Our goals were to assess how nicotine abstinence and availability influenced concurrent alcohol consumption and to determine the impact of quinine adulteration of alcohol on aversion-resistant alcohol consumption and concurrent nicotine consumption. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice voluntarily consumed unsweetened alcohol, nicotine, and water in a chronic 3-bottle choice procedure. In experiment 1, nicotine access was removed for 1 week and re-introduced the following week, while the alcohol and water bottles remained available at all times. In experiment 2, quinine (100-1000 μM) was added to the 20% alcohol bottle, while the nicotine and water bottles remained unaltered. RESULTS In experiment 1, we found that alcohol consumption and preference were unaffected by the presence or absence of nicotine access in both male and female mice. In experiment 2a, we found that quinine temporarily suppressed alcohol intake and enhanced concurrent nicotine, but not water, preference in both male and female mice. In experiment 2b, chronic quinine suppression of alcohol intake increased nicotine consumption and preference in female mice without affecting water preference, whereas it increased water and nicotine preference in male mice. CONCLUSIONS Quinine suppression of alcohol consumption enhanced the preference for concurrent nicotine preference in male and female mice, suggesting that mice compensate for the quinine adulteration of alcohol by increasing their nicotine preference.
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17
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Wang J, Blasio A, Chapman HL, Doebelin C, Liaw V, Kuryatov A, Giovanetti SM, Lindstrom J, Lin L, Cameron MD, Kamenecka TM, Pomrenze MB, Messing RO. Promoting activity of (α4) 3(β2) 2 nicotinic cholinergic receptors reduces ethanol consumption. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:301-308. [PMID: 31394567 PMCID: PMC6901472 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0475-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing interest in developing drugs that act at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to treat alcohol use disorder. The smoking cessation agent varenicline, a partial agonist of α4β2 nAChRs, reduces alcohol intake, but its use can be limited by side effects at high therapeutic doses. There are two stoichiometric forms of α4β2 nAChRs, (α4)3(β2)2 and (α4)2(β2)3. Here we investigated the hypothesis that NS9283, a positive allosteric modulator selective for the (α4)3(β2)2 form, reduces ethanol consumption. NS9283 increased the potency of varenicline to activate and desensitize (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs in vitro without affecting other known targets of varenicline. In male and female C57BL/6J mice, NS9283 (10 mg/kg) reduced ethanol intake in a two-bottle choice, intermittent drinking procedure without affecting saccharin intake, ethanol-induced incoordination or ethanol-induced loss of the righting reflex. Subthreshold doses of NS9283 (2.5 mg/kg) plus varenicline (0.1 mg/kg) synergistically reduced ethanol intake in both sexes. Finally, despite having no aversive valence of its own, NS9283 enhanced ethanol-conditioned place aversion. We conclude that compounds targeting the (α4)3(β2)2 subtype of nAChRs can reduce alcohol consumption, and when administered in combination with varenicline, may allow use of lower varenicline doses to decrease varenicline side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Wang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Angelo Blasio
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Holly L. Chapman
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Christelle Doebelin
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Victor Liaw
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Alexander Kuryatov
- 0000 0004 1936 8972grid.25879.31Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Simone M. Giovanetti
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Jon Lindstrom
- 0000 0004 1936 8972grid.25879.31Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Li Lin
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0DMPK core, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0DMPK core, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Theodore M. Kamenecka
- 0000000122199231grid.214007.0Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL USA
| | - Matthew B. Pomrenze
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Robert O. Messing
- 0000 0004 1936 9924grid.89336.37Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
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18
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Mangan D, McNabola N, Clark EH, Bermudez I, Wonnacott S, Southern JM. Ethyl-for-methyl substitution enhances the subtype specificity of mecamylamine analogues. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:9892-9905. [PMID: 31713564 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01993f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of novel mecamylamine analogues is described in which one, two or three of the methyl groups of mecamylamine have been systematically replaced with ethyl groups. Assessment of the compounds highlights that simple ethyl for methyl changes changes to the parent structure can dramatically enhance activity and selectivity towards either the α4β2 (at the expense of α3β4) or the α3β4 (at the expense of α4β2) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor sub-type as compared to the parent compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mangan
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, The University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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19
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Weera MM, Agim ZS, Cannon JR, Chester JA. Genetic correlations between nicotine reinforcement-related behaviors and propensity toward high or low alcohol preference in two replicate mouse lines. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12515. [PMID: 30129253 PMCID: PMC6384161 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Common genetic factors may contribute to the high comorbidity between tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorder. Here, we assessed behavioral and biological effects of nicotine in replicate mouse lines selectively bred for high (HAP2/3) or low alcohol preference (LAP2/3). In Experiment 1, free-choice (FC) oral nicotine and quinine intake were assessed in HAP2/3 and LAP2/3 mice. Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blockade by mecamylamine on nicotine intake in HAP2 mice were also examined. In Experiment 2, HAP2/3 and LAP2/3 mice were tested for differences in sensitivity to nicotine-induced taste conditioning. In Experiment 3, the effects of a single nicotine injection on nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsal striatum monoamine levels in HAP2/3 and LAP2/3 mice were tested. In Experiment 1, HAP2/3 mice showed greater nicotine intake and intake ratio than LAP2/3 mice. There were no line differences in quinine intake. Mecamylamine reduced nicotine intake and intake ratio in HAP2 mice. In Experiment 2, HAP2/3 mice showed weaker nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) compared with LAP2/3 mice. In Experiment 3, nicotine treatment increased NAc dopamine turnover across both HAP2/3 and LAP2/3 mouse lines. These results show that there is a positive genetic correlation between oral alcohol intake (high alcohol intake/preference selection phenotype) and oral nicotine intake and a negative genetic correlation between oral alcohol intake and sensitivity to nicotine-induced CTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Weera
- Department of Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Zeynep S. Agim
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Jason R. Cannon
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Julia A. Chester
- Department of Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
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20
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Sneddon EA, White RD, Radke AK. Sex Differences in Binge-Like and Aversion-Resistant Alcohol Drinking in C57BL/6J Mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 43:243-249. [PMID: 30431655 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder is characterized by compulsive alcohol intake, or drinking despite negative consequences. Previous studies have shown that female rodents have a heightened vulnerability to drug use across different stages of the addictive cycle, but no previous studies have studied females in a model of aversion-resistant alcohol intake. Here, we investigated sex differences in binge-like and aversion-resistant alcohol drinking in C57BL/6J mice using a modified drinking-in-the-dark (DID) paradigm. METHODS In Experiment 1, 24-hour aversion to quinine (0, 100, or 250 μM) was assessed. In Experiment 2, male and female adult C57BL/6J mice consumed 15% ethanol (EtOH) or water in a 2-bottle limited-access DID paradigm for 2 h/d for 15 days. The EtOH was next adulterated with quinine (0, 100, or 250 μM) over 3 consecutive drinking sessions to test aversion-resistant intake. In Experiment 3, intake of quinine-adulterated (100 μM) EtOH was assessed across all 15 drinking sessions. RESULTS Quinine was equally aversive to both sexes in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, female mice consumed significantly more alcohol than male mice during the final 6 drinking sessions. Levels of aversion-resistant intake did not differ between the sexes. In Experiment 3, quinine suppressed consumption in all mice, though females drank significantly more on the final 2 sessions. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that while female mice escalate and consume more EtOH than males, both sexes exhibit similar levels of aversion-resistant drinking. These results inform our understanding of how sex interacts with vulnerability for addiction and argue for the inclusion of females in more studies of aversion-resistant alcohol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert D White
- Department of Psychology , Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Anna K Radke
- Department of Psychology , Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.,Center for Neuroscience and Behavior , Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
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21
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Cippitelli A, Brunori G, Schoch J, Armishaw CJ, Wu J, Zaveri NT, Giulianotti MA, Welmaker GS, Toll L. Differential regulation of alcohol taking and seeking by antagonism at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1745-1757. [PMID: 29572652 PMCID: PMC5949259 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcoholism is a serious public health problem throughout the world. Current pharmacotherapies for the treatment of this disorder are poorly effective. Preclinical and clinical findings point to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as a promising target for the development of novel and effective medications. Assuage Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, has discovered a new class of potent and selective α4β2 nAChR antagonists. OBJECTIVE Here, it was hypothesized that α4β2 nAChR antagonism is a viable approach for treatment of alcohol use disorders. RESULTS When tested in rats, one lead compound, AP-202, attenuated both operant alcohol and nicotine self-administration in a paradigm in which the two reinforcers were concurrently available. The conotoxin TP2212-59, a selective α3β4 nAChR antagonist, was only effective in reducing nicotine self-administration. AP-202 also reduced alcohol but not food responding when alcohol was presented as the only reinforcer, whereas the commercially available α4β2 nAChR antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine failed to alter alcohol self-administration. AP-202 did not block relapse-like behavior induced by previously alcohol-associated stimuli or yohimbine stress. In a reinstatement paradigm, in which alcohol seeking was triggered by a nicotine challenge, a behavior successfully inhibited by the nonselective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine, AP-202 was not effective, while pretreatment with TP2212-59 abolished nicotine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest differential roles for α4β2 and α3β4 nAChR on alcohol taking and seeking with selective blockade of α4β2 nAChR being more implicated in modulating alcohol taking while selective blockade of α3β4 nAChR is involved in nicotine-induced alcohol seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cippitelli
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987, USA.
| | - Gloria Brunori
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Jennifer Schoch
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Christopher J. Armishaw
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Jinhua Wu
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Nurulain T. Zaveri
- Astraea Therapeutics, LLC, 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Marc A. Giulianotti
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Gregory S. Welmaker
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA,Assuage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 11350 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
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22
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Touchette JC, Maertens JJ, Mason MM, O'Rourke KY, Lee AM. The nicotinic receptor drug sazetidine-A reduces alcohol consumption in mice without affecting concurrent nicotine consumption. Neuropharmacology 2018; 133:63-74. [PMID: 29355641 PMCID: PMC5858984 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine addiction are frequently co-morbid. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are critical for both alcohol and nicotine addiction mechanisms, since nAChR drugs that reduce nicotine consumption have been shown to also reduce alcohol consumption. Sazetidine-A, a pre-clinical nAChR drug with agonist and desensitizing effects at α4β2 and α7 nAChRs, has been reported to reduce alcohol consumption and nicotine self-administration in rats when administered at high doses. However, this effect has not been replicated in mice. In this study, we examined the effect of sazetidine-A on alcohol and nicotine consumption in male and female mice utilizing voluntary oral consumption procedures previously developed in our lab. We found that sazetidine-A (1 mg/kg, i.p) reduced overnight alcohol consumption, but did not affect nicotine consumption when presented either alone or concurrently with alcohol. Sazetidine-A did not reduce water or saccharin consumption at any dose tested. In a chronic co-consumption experiment in which either alcohol or nicotine was re-introduced after one week of forced abstinence, sazetidine-A attenuated post-abstinence consumption of alcohol but not nicotine. Sazetidine-A also significantly reduced alcohol consumption in an acute, binge drinking-in-the-dark procedure. Finally, we tested the effect of sazetidine-A on alcohol withdrawal, and found that sazetidine-A significantly reduced handling-induced convulsions during alcohol withdrawal. Collectively, these data suggest a novel role for the nAChR targets of sazetidine-A in specifically mediating alcohol consumption, separate from the involvement of nAChRs in mediating nicotine consumption. Delineation of this pathway may provide insight into novel therapies for the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jamie J Maertens
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Margaret M Mason
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Kyu Y O'Rourke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Anna M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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23
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Weera MM, Fields MA, Tapp DN, Grahame NJ, Chester JA. Effects of Nicotine on Alcohol Drinking in Female Mice Selectively Bred for High or Low Alcohol Preference. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 42:432-443. [PMID: 29144544 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies show that repeated nicotine use associates with high alcohol consumption in humans and that nicotine exposure sometimes increases alcohol consumption in animal models. However, the relative roles of genetic predisposition to high alcohol consumption, the alcohol drinking patterns, and the timing of nicotine exposure both with respect to alcohol drinking and developmental stage remain unclear. The studies here manipulated all these variables, using mice selectively bred for differences in free-choice (FC) alcohol consumption to elucidate the role of genetics and nicotine exposure in alcohol consumption behaviors. METHODS In Experiments 1 and 2, we assessed the effects of repeated nicotine (0, 0.5, or 1.5 mg/kg) injections immediately before binge-like (drinking-in-the-dark; Experiment 1) or during FC alcohol access (Experiment 2) on these alcohol drinking behaviors (immediately after injections and during re-exposure to alcohol access 14 days later) in adult high- (HAP2) and low-alcohol-preferring (LAP2) female mice (co-exposure model). In Experiments 3 and 4, we assessed the effects of repeated nicotine (0, 0.5, or 1.5 mg/kg) injections 14 days prior to binge-like and FC alcohol access on these alcohol drinking behaviors in adolescent HAP2 and LAP2 female mice (Experiment 3) or adult HAP2 female mice (Experiment 4). RESULTS In Experiment 1, we found that repeated nicotine (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg) and alcohol co-exposure significantly increased binge-like drinking behavior in HAP2 but not LAP2 mice during the re-exposure phase after a 14-day abstinence period. In Experiment 2, 1.5 mg/kg nicotine injections significantly reduced FC alcohol intake and preference in the third hour postinjection in HAP2 but not LAP2 mice. No significant effects of nicotine treatment on binge-like or FC alcohol drinking were observed in Experiments 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the temporal parameters of nicotine and alcohol exposure, pattern of alcohol access, and genetic predisposition for alcohol preference influence nicotine's effects on alcohol consumption. These findings in selectively bred mice suggest that humans with a genetic history of alcohol use disorders may be more vulnerable to develop nicotine and alcohol co-use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M Weera
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Molly A Fields
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Danielle N Tapp
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Nicholas J Grahame
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Julia A Chester
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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24
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Kamens HM, Silva C, Peck C, Miller CN. Varenicline modulates ethanol and saccharin consumption in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. Brain Res Bull 2017; 138:20-25. [PMID: 28778837 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period in brain development that coincides with the initiation of alcohol use. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have been shown to modulate ethanol behaviors in adult humans and in animal models; however, the role of these receptors in adolescent ethanol behaviors has not been explored. Throughout adolescence, nAChR expression undergoes large-scale developmental changes which may alter behavioral responses to ethanol. Here we examined the effect of varenicline, a nAChR partial agonist, on ethanol consumption, ataxia, sedation, and metabolism in adolescent male and female C57BL/6J mice. The effect of varenicline on ethanol consumption was tested through the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) paradigm that models binge-like ethanol consumption. To ensure that results were specific for ethanol, we also tested the effect of varenicline on saccharin consumption. Additionally, varenicline was administered 30min prior to an acute injection of ethanol before being tested for ataxia on the balance beam, sedation using the loss of righting reflex, or ethanol metabolism. Varenicline dose dependently decreased ethanol consumption, but also influenced saccharin intake. Varenicline showed no significant effect on ethanol metabolism, ataxia, or sedation. Unlike its effects in adult animals, varenicline is able to reduce ethanol consumption without increasing the ataxic and sedative effects of ethanol. This work suggests that the neurobiological mechanisms of ethanol behaviors may change across the lifespan and highlights the need for more research on the role of nAChRs in ethanol behaviors throughout development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
| | - Constanza Silva
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Colette Peck
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - Carley N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
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25
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Katsarou MS, Karakonstantis K, Demertzis N, Vourakis E, Skarpathioti A, Nosyrev AE, Tsatsakis A, Kalogridis T, Drakoulis N. Effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ADH1B, ADH4, ADH1C, OPRM1, DRD2, BDNF, and ALDH2 genes on alcohol dependence in a Caucasian population. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2017; 5. [PMID: 28805974 PMCID: PMC5684860 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is a frequently used addictive substance worldwide. Aim of this study is to determine the frequency distribution of SNPs within ADH1B,ADH4,ADH1C,ALDH2, BDNF,OPRM1, and DRD2 genes in a southeastern European Caucasian population from Greece. For this purpose samples of 1276 volunteers were analyzed after deidentification and anonymization. The allele distribution of the examined polymorphisms in the present Greek population cohort was as follows: rs1229984 (ADH1B): GG(wt) = 64.14%, GA = 29.86%, AA = 4.00%; rs1693482 (ADH1C): CC(wt) = 57.45%, CT = 36.76%, TT = 5.80%; rs1799971 (OPRM1): AA(wt) = 72.43%, AG = 28.72%, GG = 1.89%; rs1800497 (DRD2): CC(wt) = 70.84%, CT = 27.18%, TT = 1.98%; rs1800759 (ADH4): CC(wt) = 34.25%, CA = 48.12%, AA = 17.63%; rs6265 (BDNF): GG(wt) = 65.99%, GA = 31.02%, AA = 2.99%; and rs671 (ALDH2): GG(wt) = 99.84% GA = 0.16%, AA = 0.00%. Mutant rs1229984 allele A was ~6.5× more frequent in the Greek than in the European population. Mutant rs1693482 allele T was ~1.7× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population. Mutant alleles for polymorphisms rs1800759 and rs1799971 show similar frequencies in both northern and southern Europeans. One rs671 mutant A allele was detected in the Greek population (0.08%). The mutant rs1800497 allele T was ~1.2× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population and the mutant rs6265 allele A was ~1.1× more frequent in the European than in the Greek population. An alcohol addiction‐specific algorithm was generated (TGS) that may predict alcohol addiction prevalence in a population. According to our findings, the analyzed Southeastern population may differ genetically from north Europeans due to influences from neighboring Asian and African populations and a calculated TGS score >50 indicates individuals with low susceptibility to develop alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha-Spyridoula Katsarou
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Karakonstantis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Demertzis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Vourakis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Aspasia Skarpathioti
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Aleksandr E Nosyrev
- Central Chemical Laboratory of Toxicology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, 71003, Greece
| | - Theodoris Kalogridis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Drakoulis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 15771, Greece
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Dopamine Receptors Differentially Control Binge Alcohol Drinking-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity of the Core Nucleus Accumbens Direct and Indirect Pathways. J Neurosci 2017; 37:5463-5474. [PMID: 28473645 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3845-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge alcohol drinking, a behavior characterized by rapid repeated alcohol intake, is most prevalent in young adults and is a risk factor for excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence. Although the alteration of synaptic plasticity is thought to contribute to this behavior, there is currently little evidence that this is the case. We used drinking in the dark (DID) as a model of binge alcohol drinking to assess its effects on spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the core nucleus accumbens (NAc) by combining patch-clamp recordings with calcium imaging and optogenetics. After 2 weeks of daily alcohol binges, synaptic plasticity was profoundly altered. STDP in MSNs expressing dopamine D1 receptors shifted from spike-timing-dependent long-term depression (tLTD), the predominant form of plasticity in naive male mice, to spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (tLTP) in DID mice, an effect that was totally reversed in the presence of 4 μm SCH23390, a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist. In MSNs presumably expressing dopamine D2 receptors, tLTP, the main form of plasticity in naive mice, was inhibited in DID mice. Interestingly, 1 μm sulpiride, a D2 receptor antagonist, restored tLTP. Although we observed no alterations of AMPA and NMDA receptor properties, we found that the AMPA/NMDA ratio increased at cortical and amygdaloid inputs but not at hippocampal inputs. Also, DID effects on STDP were accompanied by lower dendritic calcium transients. These data suggest that the role of dopamine in mediating the effects of binge alcohol drinking on synaptic plasticity of NAc MSNs differs markedly whether these neurons belong to the direct or indirect pathways.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We examined the relationship between binge alcohol drinking and spike timing-dependent plasticity in nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons. We found that repeated drinking bouts modulate differently synaptic plasticity in medium spiny neurons of the accumbens direct and indirect pathways. While timing-dependent long-term depression switches to long-term potentiation (LTP) in the former, timing-dependent LTP is inhibited in the latter. These effects are not accompanied by changes in AMPA and NMDA receptor properties at cortical, amygdaloid, and hippocampal synapses. Interestingly, dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists have opposite effects on plasticity. Our data show that whether core NAc medium spiny neurons belong to the direct or indirect pathways determines the form of spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), the manner by which STDP responds to binge alcohol drinking, and its sensitivity to dopamine receptor antagonists.
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Yardley MM, Ray LA. Medications development for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: insights into the predictive value of animal and human laboratory models. Addict Biol 2017; 22:581-615. [PMID: 26833803 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents an important public health goal. This review provides a summary of completed preclinical and clinical studies testing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD. We discuss opportunities for improving the translation from preclinical findings to clinical trial outcomes, focusing on the validity and predictive value of animal and human laboratory models of AUD. Specifically, while preclinical studies of medications development have offered important insights into the neurobiology of the disorder and alcohol's molecular targets, limitations include the lack of standardized methods and streamlined processes whereby animal studies can readily inform human studies. Behavioral pharmacology studies provide a less expensive and valuable opportunity to assess the feasibility of a pharmacotherapy prior to initiating larger scale clinical trials by providing insights into the mechanism of the drug, which can then inform recruitment, analyses, and assessments. Summary tables are provided to illustrate the wide range of preclinical, human laboratory, and clinical studies of medications development for alcoholism. Taken together, this review highlights the challenges associated with animal paradigms, human laboratory studies, and clinical trials with the overarching goal of advancing treatment development and highlighting opportunities to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M. Yardley
- Department of Psychology; University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Lara A. Ray
- Department of Psychology; University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles CA USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences; University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles CA USA
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Kamens HM, Silva C, McCarthy R, Cox RJ, Ehringer MA. No evidence of a role of the β4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in alcohol-related behaviors. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:151. [PMID: 28381286 PMCID: PMC5382442 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have gained attention in the last several years as mediators of alcohol-related behaviors. The genes that code for the α5, α3, and β4 subunits (Chrna5, Chrna3, and Chrnb4, respectively) map adjacent to each other on human chromosome 15/mouse chromosome 9. Genetic variants in this region have been associated with alcohol phenotypes and mice that overexpress these three subunits have reduced ethanol intake. In the present experiments, we examined the role of the Chrnb4 gene in three ethanol behaviors: consumption, ataxia, and sedation. Wildtype, heterozygous, and knockout mice were tested for ethanol consumption with a 2-bottle choice procedure and the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm. Ethanol-induced ataxia was measured with the balance beam and dowel test. Finally, the sedative effects of ethanol were measured with the loss of righting reflex paradigm. Results We observed no significant genotypic effects on any of the ethanol behaviors examined, suggesting that the β4 subunit is not involved in mediating these responses. Conclusions While we found no evidence for the involvement of the β4 subunit in ethanol responses, it is possible that this subunit modulates other behaviors not tested and further work should address this before completely ruling out its involvement. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2470-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA. .,Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Constanza Silva
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Riley McCarthy
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Ryan J Cox
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Marissa A Ehringer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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Tolu S, Marti F, Morel C, Perrier C, Torquet N, Pons S, de Beaurepaire R, Faure P. Nicotine enhances alcohol intake and dopaminergic responses through β2* and β4* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45116. [PMID: 28332590 PMCID: PMC5362818 DOI: 10.1038/srep45116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are the most widely co-abused drugs. Both modify the activity of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and lead to an increase in DA release in the Nucleus Accumbens, thereby affecting the reward system. Evidences support the hypothesis that distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the molecular target of acetylcholine (ACh) and exogenous nicotine, are also in addition implicated in the response to alcohol. The precise molecular and neuronal substrates of this interaction are however not well understood. Here we used in vivo electrophysiology in the VTA to characterise acute and chronic interactions between nicotine and alcohol. Simultaneous injections of the two drugs enhanced their responses on VTA DA neuron firing and chronic exposure to nicotine increased alcohol-induced DA responses and alcohol intake. Then, we assessed the role of β4 * nAChRs, but not β2 * nAChRs, in mediating acute responses to alcohol using nAChR subtypes knockout mice (β2-/- and β4-/- mice). Finally, we showed that nicotine-induced modifications of alcohol responses were absent in β2-/- and β4-/- mice, suggesting that nicotine triggers β2* and β4 * nAChR-dependent neuroadaptations that subsequently modify the responses to alcohol and thus indicating these receptors as key mediators in the complex interactions between these two drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Tolu
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Fabio Marti
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Carole Morel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Carole Perrier
- Groupe Hospitalier Paul Guiraud, BP 20065, F-94806, Villejuif, France
| | - Nicolas Torquet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Pons
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, Département de Neuroscience, F-75724, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3571, F-75724, Paris, France
| | | | - Philippe Faure
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005, Paris, France
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30
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Guildford MJ, Sacino AV, Tapper AR. Modulation of ethanol reward sensitivity by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing the α6 subunit. Alcohol 2016; 57:65-70. [PMID: 27793544 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The prevalent co-abuse of nicotine and alcohol suggests a common neural mechanism underlying the actions of the two drugs. Nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing the α6 subunit (α6* nAChRs) in dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region known to be crucial for drug reward. Recent evidence suggests that ethanol may potentiate ACh activation of these receptors as well, although whether α6* nAChR expression is necessary for behavioral effects of acute ethanol exposure is unknown. We compared binge-like ethanol consumption and ethanol reward sensitivity between knockout (KO) mice that do not express chrna6 (the gene encoding the α6 nAChR subunit, the α6 KO line) and wild-type (WT) littermates using the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) and Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) assay, respectively. In the DID assay, α6 KO female and male mice consumed ethanol similarly to WT mice at all concentrations tested. In the CPP assay, 2.0-g/kg and 3.0-g/kg, but not 0.5-mg/kg, ethanol conditioned a place preference in WT female and male mice, whereas only 2.0-g/kg ethanol conditioned a place preference in α6 KO mice. Acute challenge with ethanol reduced locomotor activity, an effect that developed tolerance with repeated injections, similarly between genotypes in both female and male mice. Together, these data indicate that expression of α6* nAChRs is not required for binge-like ethanol consumption and reward, but modulate sensitivity to the rewarding properties of the drug.
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31
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Mangan D, McNabola N, Clark EH, Bermudez I, Wonnacott S, Southern JM. A new synthesis and preliminary evaluation of some analogues of mecamylamine - a compound with anti-addiction properties. Org Biomol Chem 2016; 14:10787-10798. [PMID: 27812593 DOI: 10.1039/c6ob01974a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A new synthesis of mecamylamine - a known anti-hypertensive drug with anti-addictive properties is described. The new route allowed access to two novel analogues whose activity at two nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes was assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mangan
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, The University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Neasa McNabola
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, The University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Emily H Clark
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Susan Wonnacott
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - J Mike Southern
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, The University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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McGinn MA, Paulsen RI, Itoga CA, Farooq MA, Reppel JE, Edwards KN, Whitaker AM, Gilpin NW, Edwards S. Withdrawal from Chronic Nicotine Exposure Produces Region-Specific Tolerance to Alcohol-Stimulated GluA1 Phosphorylation. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:2537-2547. [PMID: 27796078 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine use increases alcohol drinking, suggesting that the combination of these drugs may produce synergistic effects in activating reward circuitry. Alternatively, use of either of these drugs may facilitate the development of cross-tolerance to the other to promote intake escalation. METHODS In this study, adult male Wistar rats were chronically exposed to room air or chronic, intermittent nicotine vapor, which has been shown to produce symptoms of nicotine dependence as evidenced by elevated nicotine self-administration and a host of somatic and motivational withdrawal symptoms. We examined regional neuroadaptations in nicotine-experienced versus nonexperienced animals, focusing on changes in phosphorylation of the AMPA glutamate channel subunit GluA1 in reward-related brain regions as excitatory neuroadaptations are heavily implicated in both alcohol and nicotine addiction. RESULTS During withdrawal, nicotine exposure and alcohol challenge (1 g/kg) interactively produced neuroadaptations in GluA1 phosphorylation in a brain region-dependent manner. Alcohol robustly increased protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of GluA1 at serine 845 in multiple regions. However, this neuroadaptation was largely absent in 3 areas (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and central amygdala) in nicotine-experienced animals. This interactive effect suggests a molecular tolerance to alcohol-stimulated phosphorylation of GluA1 in the context of nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS Nicotine may modify the rewarding or reinforcing effects of alcohol by altering glutamate signaling in a region-specific manner, thereby leading to increased drinking in heavy smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Adrienne McGinn
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Rod I Paulsen
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Christy A Itoga
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Muhammad A Farooq
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Jonathan E Reppel
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kimberly N Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Annie M Whitaker
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Nicholas W Gilpin
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Slater CA, Jackson A, Muldoon PP, Dawson A, O'Brien M, Soll LG, Abdullah R, Carroll FI, Tapper AR, Miles MF, Banks ML, Bettinger JC, Damaj IM. Nicotine Enhances the Hypnotic and Hypothermic Effects of Alcohol in the Mouse. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:62-72. [PMID: 26727524 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine abuse are 2 leading causes of preventable mortality in the world, but little is known about the pharmacological mechanisms mediating co-abuse. Few studies have examined the interaction of the acute effects of EtOH and nicotine. Here, we examine the effects of nicotine administration on the duration of EtOH-induced loss of righting reflex (LORR) and characterize the nature of their pharmacological interactions in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS We assessed the effects of EtOH and nicotine and the nature of their interaction in the LORR test using isobolographic analysis after acute injection in C57BL/6J male mice. Next, we examined the importance of receptor efficacy using nicotinic partial agonists varenicline and sazetidine. We evaluated the involvement of major nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes using nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine and nicotinic α4- and α7-knockout mice. The selectivity of nicotine's actions on EtOH-induced LORR was examined by testing nicotine's effects on the hypnotic properties of ketamine and pentobarbital. We also assessed the development of tolerance after repeated nicotine exposure. Last, we assessed whether the effects of nicotine on EtOH-induced LORR extend to hypothermia and EtOH intake in the drinking in the dark (DID) paradigm. RESULTS We found that acute nicotine injection enhances EtOH's hypnotic effects in a synergistic manner and that receptor efficacy plays an important role in this interaction. Furthermore, tolerance developed to the enhancement of EtOH's hypnotic effects by nicotine after repeated exposure of the drug. α4* and α7 nAChRs seem to play an important role in nicotine-EtOH interaction in the LORR test. In addition, the magnitude of EtOH-induced LORR enhancement by nicotine was more pronounced in C57BL/6J than DBA/2J mice. Furthermore, acute nicotine enhanced ketamine and pentobarbital hypnotic effects in the mouse. Finally, nicotine enhanced EtOH-induced hypothermia but decreased EtOH intake in the DID test. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that nicotine synergistically enhances EtOH-induced LORR in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra A Slater
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Asti Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Pretal P Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Anton Dawson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Megan O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Lindsey G Soll
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Rehab Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - F Ivy Carroll
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Andrew R Tapper
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Michael F Miles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jill C Bettinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Imad M Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Kohut SJ. Interactions between nicotine and drugs of abuse: a review of preclinical findings. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 43:155-170. [PMID: 27589579 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1209513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Polysubstance abuse is common among substance-use disorder patients, and nicotine is one of the most commonly co-used substances. Epidemiological and clinical laboratory studies suggest that nicotine, when combined with other drugs of abuse, increases intake of one or both substances. This review focuses on the preclinical literature regarding nicotine's interaction with alcohol, stimulants (i.e., cocaine, amphetamines), opioids (i.e., morphine, heroin), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The current understanding of how these various classes of abused drugs may interact with nicotine on behavioral, physiological, and pharmacological indices that may be important in maintaining co-use of one or both substances in human populations are highlighted. Suggestions as to future areas of research and gaps in knowledge are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Kohut
- a McLean Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School , Belmont , MA , USA
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35
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Cross SJ, Lotfipour S, Leslie FM. Mechanisms and genetic factors underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or other drugs of abuse. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2016; 43:171-185. [PMID: 27532746 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2016.1209512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Concurrent use of tobacco and alcohol or psychostimulants represents a major public health concern, with use of one substance influencing consumption of the other. Co-abuse of these drugs leads to substantial negative health outcomes, reduced cessation, and high economic costs, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Epidemiological data suggest that tobacco use during adolescence plays a particularly significant role. Adolescence is a sensitive period of development marked by major neurobiological maturation of brain regions critical for reward processing, learning and memory, and executive function. Nicotine exposure during this time produces a unique and long-lasting vulnerability to subsequent substance use, likely via actions at cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. In this review, we discuss recent clinical and preclinical data examining the genetic factors and mechanisms underlying co-use of nicotine and alcohol or cocaine and amphetamines. We evaluate the critical role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors throughout, and emphasize the dearth of preclinical studies assessing concurrent drug exposure. We stress important age and sex differences in drug responses, and highlight a brief, low-dose nicotine exposure paradigm that may better model early use of tobacco products. The escalating use of e-cigarettes among youth necessitates a closer look at the consequences of early adolescent nicotine exposure on subsequent alcohol and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Cross
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Shahrdad Lotfipour
- b Department of Emergency Medicine , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Frances M Leslie
- a Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
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O'Rourke KY, Touchette JC, Hartell EC, Bade EJ, Lee AM. Voluntary co-consumption of alcohol and nicotine: Effects of abstinence, intermittency, and withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 109:236-246. [PMID: 27342124 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are often used together, and there is a high rate of co-occurrence between alcohol and nicotine addiction. Most animal models studying alcohol and nicotine interactions have utilized passive drug administration, which may not be relevant to human co-addiction. In addition, the interactions between alcohol and nicotine in female animals have been understudied, as most studies have used male animals. To address these issues, we developed models of alcohol and nicotine co-consumption in male and female mice that utilized voluntary, oral consumption of unsweetened alcohol, nicotine and water. We first examined drug consumption and preference in single-drug, sequential alcohol and nicotine consumption tests in male and female C57BL/6 and DBA/2J mice. We then tested chronic continuous and intermittent access alcohol and nicotine co-consumption procedures. We found that male and female C57BL/6 mice readily co-consumed unsweetened alcohol and nicotine. In our continuous co-consumption procedures, we found that varying the available nicotine concentration during an alcohol abstinence period affected compensatory nicotine consumption during alcohol abstinence, and affected rebound alcohol consumption when alcohol was re-introduced. Consumption of alcohol and nicotine in an intermittent co-consumption procedure produced higher alcohol consumption levels, but not nicotine consumption levels, compared with the continuous co-consumption procedures. Finally, we found that intermittent alcohol and nicotine co-consumption resulted in physical dependence. Our data show that these voluntary co-consumption procedures can be easily performed in mice and can be used to study behavioral interactions between alcohol and nicotine consumption, which may better model human alcohol and nicotine co-addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Y O'Rourke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth C Hartell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Bade
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Anna M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Obsada N, Zalewska-Kaszubska J. Wareniklina – częściowy agonista receptorów nikotynowych w terapii zespołu uzależnienia od alkoholu. ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.alkona.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Kasten CR, Frazee AM, Boehm SL. Developing a model of limited-access nicotine consumption in C57Bl/6J mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 148:28-37. [PMID: 27242276 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although United States smoking rates have been on the decline over the past few decades, cigarette smoking still poses a critical health and economic threat. Very few treatment options for smoking exist, and many of them do not lead to long-term abstinence. Preclinical models are necessary for understanding the effects of nicotine and developing treatments. Current self-administration models of nicotine intake may require surgical procedures and often result in low levels of intake. Further, they do not lend themselves to investigating treatments. The current study sought to develop a limited-access model of nicotine intake using the Drinking-in-the-Dark paradigm, which results in high levels of binge-like ethanol consumption that can be pharmacologically manipulated. The present study found that mice will consume nicotine under a range of parameters. Intakes under the preferred condition of 0.14mg/ml nicotine in 0.2% saccharin reached over 6mg/kg in two hours and were reduced by an injection of R(+)-baclofen. Mecamylamine did not significantly affect nicotine consumption. As nicotine and ethanol are often co-abused, nicotine intake was also tested in the presence of ethanol. When presented in the same bottle, mice altered nicotine intake under various concentrations to maintain consistent levels of ethanol intake. When nicotine and ethanol were presented in separate bottles, mice greatly reduced their nicotine intake while maintaining ethanol intake. In conclusion, these studies characterize a novel model of limited-access nicotine intake that can be pharmacologically manipulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Kasten
- Department of Psychology, Indianapolis University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St LD 124, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
| | - A M Frazee
- Department of Psychology, Indianapolis University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St LD 124, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - S L Boehm
- Department of Psychology, Indianapolis University Purdue University - Indianapolis, 402 N Blackford St LD 124, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Indiana Alcohol Research Center, 545 Barnhill Drive EH 317, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Bell RL, Hauser S, Rodd ZA, Liang T, Sari Y, McClintick J, Rahman S, Engleman EA. A Genetic Animal Model of Alcoholism for Screening Medications to Treat Addiction. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 126:179-261. [PMID: 27055615 PMCID: PMC4851471 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2016.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to present up-to-date pharmacological, genetic, and behavioral findings from the alcohol-preferring P rat and summarize similar past work. Behaviorally, the focus will be on how the P rat meets criteria put forth for a valid animal model of alcoholism with a highlight on its use as an animal model of polysubstance abuse, including alcohol, nicotine, and psychostimulants. Pharmacologically and genetically, the focus will be on the neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems that have received the most attention: cholinergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, corticotrophin releasing hormone, opioid, and neuropeptide Y. Herein, we sought to place the P rat's behavioral and neurochemical phenotypes, and to some extent its genotype, in the context of the clinical literature. After reviewing the findings thus far, this chapter discusses future directions for expanding the use of this genetic animal model of alcoholism to identify molecular targets for treating drug addiction in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Bell
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - S Hauser
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Z A Rodd
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Y Sari
- University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - J McClintick
- Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - S Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - E A Engleman
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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40
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Nuutinen S, Panula P, Salminen O. Different Hypothalamic Nicotinic α7 Receptor Expression and Response to Low Nicotine Dose in Alcohol-Preferring and Alcohol-Avoiding Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:329-34. [PMID: 26842251 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and responses in rats with genetic preference or avoidance for alcohol. This was done by using 2 rat lines with high alcohol preference (Alko Alcohol [AA]) or alcohol avoidance (Alko Non-Alcohol [ANA]). METHODS Locomotor activity was measured following nicotine and histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonist treatment. In situ hybridization and receptor ligand binding experiments were used in drug-naïve animals to examine the expression of different α nicotinic receptor subunits. RESULTS The AA rats were found to be more sensitive to the stimulatory effect of a low dose of nicotine than ANA rats, which were not significantly activated. Combination of histamine H3R antagonist, JNJ-39220675, and nicotine resulted to similar locomotor activation as nicotine alone. To further understand the mechanism underlying the difference in nicotine response in AA and ANA rats, we studied the expression of α5, α6, and α7 nicotinic receptor subunits in specific brain areas of AA and ANA rats. We found no differences in the expression of α5 nicotinic receptor subunits in the medial habenula and hippocampus or in α6 subunit in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. However, the level of α7 nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA was significantly lower in the tuberomamillary nucleus of posterior hypothalamus of alcohol-preferring AA rats than in alcohol-avoiding ANA rats. Also the hypothalamic [125I-α-bungarotoxin binding was lower in AA rats indicating lower levels of α7 nicotinic receptors. CONCLUSIONS The lower expression and receptor binding of α7 nicotinic receptors in the tuberomamillary nucleus of AA rats suggest a difference in the regulation of brain histamine neurons between the rat lines since the α7 nicotinic receptors are located in histaminergic neurons. Stronger nicotine-induced locomotor response, mediated partially via α7 receptors, and previously described high alcohol consumption in AA rats could be explained by the found difference in tuberomamillary α7 receptor levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Nuutinen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Panula
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Salminen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Fritz BM, Boehm SL. Rodent models and mechanisms of voluntary binge-like ethanol consumption: Examples, opportunities, and strategies for preclinical research. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 65:297-308. [PMID: 26021391 PMCID: PMC4668238 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Binge ethanol consumption has widespread negative consequences for global public health. Rodent models offer exceptional power to explore the neurobiology underlying and affected by binge-like drinking as well as target potential prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies. An important characteristic of these models is their ability to consistently produce pharmacologically-relevant blood ethanol concentration. This review examines the current available rodent models of voluntary, pre-dependent binge-like ethanol consumption and their utility in various research strategies. Studies have demonstrated that a diverse array of neurotransmitters regulate binge-like drinking, resembling some findings from other drinking models. Furthermore, repeated binge-like drinking recruits neuroadaptive mechanisms in mesolimbocortical reward circuitry. New opportunities that these models offer in the current context of mechanistic research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen L Boehm
- Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Recent Advances in Nicotinic Receptor Signaling in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:183-201. [PMID: 26810002 PMCID: PMC4754113 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is the most commonly abused legal substance and alcoholism is a serious public health problem. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the world. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of alcohol reward and addiction are still not well understood. Emerging evidence indicates that unlike other drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, cocaine, or opioids, alcohol targets numerous channel proteins, receptor molecules, and signaling pathways in the brain. Previously, research has identified brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a heterogeneous family of pentameric ligand-gated cation channels expressed in the mammalian brain, as critical molecular targets for alcohol abuse and dependence. Genetic variations encoding nAChR subunits have been shown to increase the vulnerability to develop alcohol dependence. Here, we review recent insights into the rewarding effects of alcohol, as they pertain to different nAChR subtypes, associated signaling molecules, and pathways that contribute to the molecular mechanisms of alcoholism and/or comorbid brain disorders. Understanding these cellular changes and molecular underpinnings may be useful for the advancement of brain nicotinic-cholinergic mechanisms, and will lead to a better translational and therapeutic outcome for alcoholism and/or comorbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA.
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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43
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Locker AR, Marks MJ, Kamens HM, Klein LC. Exposure to nicotine increases nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density in the reward pathway and binge ethanol consumption in C57BL/6J adolescent female mice. Brain Res Bull 2015; 123:13-22. [PMID: 26428091 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 80% of adult smokers begin smoking during adolescence. Binge alcohol consumption is also common during adolescence. Past studies report that nicotine and ethanol activate dopamine neurons in the reward pathway and may increase synaptic levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens through nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) stimulation. Activation of the reward pathway during adolescence through drug use may produce neural alterations affecting subsequent drug consumption. Consequently, the effect of nicotine exposure on binge alcohol consumption was examined along with an assessment of the neurobiological underpinnings that drive adolescent use of these drugs. Adolescent C57BL/6J mice (postnatal days 35-44) were exposed to either water or nicotine (200μg/ml) for ten days. On the final four days, ethanol intake was examined using the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm. Nicotine-exposed mice consumed significantly more ethanol and displayed higher blood ethanol concentrations than did control mice. Autoradiographic analysis of nAChR density revealed higher epibatidine binding in frontal cortical regions in mice exposed to nicotine and ethanol compared to mice exposed to ethanol only. These data show that nicotine exposure during adolescence increases subsequent binge ethanol consumption, and may affect the number of nAChRs in regions of the brain reward pathway, specifically the frontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia R Locker
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States; The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Michael J Marks
- University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Behavioral Genetics and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Helen M Kamens
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Laura Cousino Klein
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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44
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Bidirectional enantioselective effects of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen in two mouse models of excessive ethanol consumption. Alcohol 2015; 49:37-46. [PMID: 25557834 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen has been studied extensively in preclinical models of alcohol-use disorders, yet results on its efficacy have been uncertain. Racemic baclofen, which is used clinically, can be broken down into separate enantiomers of the drug. Baclofen has been shown to produce enantioselective effects in behavioral assays, including those modeling reflexive and sexual behavior. The current studies sought to characterize the enantioselective effects of baclofen in two separate models of ethanol consumption. The first was a Drinking-in-the-Dark procedure that provides "binge-like" ethanol access to mice by restricting access to a 2-h period, 3 h into the dark cycle. The second was a two-bottle choice procedure that utilized selectively bred High Alcohol Preferring 1 (HAP1) mice to model chronic ethanol access. HAP1 mice are selectively bred to consume pharmacologically relevant amounts of ethanol in a 24-h two-bottle choice paradigm. The results showed that baclofen yields enantioselective effects on ethanol intake in both models, and that these effects are bidirectional. Total ethanol intake was decreased by R(+)-baclofen, while total intake was increased by S(-)-baclofen in the binge-like and chronic drinking models. Whereas overall binge-like saccharin intake was significantly reduced by R(+)-baclofen, chronic intake was not significantly altered. S(-)-baclofen did not significantly alter saccharin intake. Neither enantiomer significantly affected locomotion during binge-like reinforcer consumption. Collectively, these results demonstrate that baclofen produces enantioselective effects on ethanol consumption. More importantly, the modulation of consumption is bidirectional. The opposing enantioselective effects may explain some of the variance seen in published baclofen literature.
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45
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015; 8:426. [PMID: 25642160 PMCID: PMC4295535 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and drug dependence are serious public health problems worldwide. The prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence in the United States and other parts of the world is significant. Given the limitations in the efficacy of current pharmacotherapies to treat these disorders, research in developing alternative pharmacotherapies continues. Preclinical and clinical evidence thus far has indicated that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are important pharmacological targets for the development of medications to treat alcohol and drug dependence. The nAChRs are a super family of ligand gated ion channels, and are expressed throughout the brain with twelve neuronal nAChR subunits (α2–α10 and β2–β4) identified. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence involving a number of nAChR ligands that target different nAChR subtypes in alcohol and nicotine addiction. The important ligands include cytisine, lobeline, mecamylamine, varenicline, sazetidine A and others that target α4β2* nAChR subtypes as small molecule modulators of the brain nicotinic cholinergic system are also discussed. Taken together, both preclinical and clinical data exist that support nAChR–based ligands as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Rahman S, Engleman EA, Bell RL. Nicotinic receptor modulation to treat alcohol and drug dependence. Front Neurosci 2015. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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47
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SHIN YONGKYU, SON HYEONGU, KIM JONGMYUNG, HEO JINCHUL, LEE SANGHAN, KIM JONGGUK. Cinnamomum cassia bark produced by solid-state fermentation with Phellinus baumii has the potential to alleviate atopic dermatitis-related symptoms. Int J Mol Med 2014; 35:187-94. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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48
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Hauser SR, Deehan GA, Toalston JE, Bell RL, McBride WJ, Rodd ZA. Enhanced alcohol-seeking behavior by nicotine in the posterior ventral tegmental area of female alcohol-preferring (P) rats: modulation by serotonin-3 and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3745-55. [PMID: 24599396 PMCID: PMC4516288 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3508-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol and nicotine co-use can reciprocally promote self-administration and drug-craving/drug-seeking behaviors. To date, the neurocircuitry in which nicotine influences ethanol (EtOH) seeking has not been elucidated. Clinical and preclinical research has suggested that the activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system is involved in the promotion of drug seeking. Alcohol, nicotine, and serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptors interact within the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) to regulate drug reward. Recently, our laboratory has reported that systemic administration of nicotine can promote context-induced EtOH seeking. OBJECTIVES The goals of the current study were to (1) determine if microinjections of pharmacologically relevant levels of nicotine into the pVTA would enhance EtOH seeking, (2) determine if coadministration of nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist (nACh) or 5-HT3 receptor antagonists would block the ability of nicotine microinjected into the pVTA to promote EtOH seeking, and (3) determine if 5-HT3 receptors in the pVTA can modulate EtOH seeking. RESULTS Nicotine (100 and 200 μM) microinjected into the pVTA enhanced EtOH seeking. Coinfusion with 200 μM mecamylamine (nACh antagonist) or 100 and 200 μM zacopride (5-HT3 receptor antagonist) blocked the observed nicotine enhancement of EtOH seeking. The data also indicated that microinjection of 1 μM CPBG (5-HT3 receptor agonist) promotes context-induced EtOH seeking; conversely, microinjection of 100 and 200 μM zacopride alone reduced context-induced EtOH seeking. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results show that nicotine-enhanced EtOH-seeking behavior is modulated by 5-HT3 and nACh receptors within the pVTA and that the 5-HT3 receptor system within pVTA may be a potential pharmacological target to inhibit EtOH-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheketha R Hauser
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 791 Union Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-4887, USA,
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Adermark L, Söderpalm B, Burkhardt JM. Brain region specific modulation of ethanol-induced depression of GABAergic neurons in the brain reward system by the nicotine receptor antagonist mecamylamine. Alcohol 2014; 48:455-61. [PMID: 24961541 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system are not fully understood, but increased extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (nAc) has been shown to involve nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Basal activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is under the influence of GABAergic neurotransmission, and the aim of this study was to characterize the involvement of nAChRs in mediating acute ethanol effects on GABAergic activity in subregions of the brain reward system. Multi-electrode in vivo recordings were made in the VTA and nAc of awake and behaving C57BL6/J mice receiving intraperitoneal injections of saline or ethanol (2.0 g/kg), combined with, or without, pre-injection of the non-competitive nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (1.0 mg/kg). Ethanol significantly decreased the activity of quinpirole-insensitive slow-spiking and fast-spiking units in both the VTA and the nAc as compared to saline injection. Pre-treatment with mecamylamine inhibited the rate-inhibiting properties of ethanol in the VTA, but not in the nAc. The data presented here show that ethanol depresses the activity of quinpirole-insensitive, putative GABAergic neurons, in the mesolimbic dopamine system of mice, and that nAChRs contribute to this modulation. This finding, taken together with previous microdialysis studies, supports an involvement of GABAergic neurons and nAChRs in ethanol's interaction with the mesolimbic dopamine system.
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50
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Wu J, Gao M, Taylor DH. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are important targets for alcohol reward and dependence. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2014; 35:311-5. [PMID: 24464050 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2013.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are important targets for alcohol reward and dependence. Alcoholism is a serious public health problem and has been identified as the third major cause of preventable mortality in the world. Worldwide, about 2 billion people consume alcohol, with 76.3 million having diagnosable alcohol use disorders. Alcohol is currently responsible for the death of 4% of adults worldwide (about 2.5 million deaths each year), and this number will be significantly increased by 2020 unless effective action is taken. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by humans. Ethanol (EtOH) is the intoxicating agent in alcoholic drinks that can lead to abuse and dependence. Although it has been extensively studied, the mechanisms of alcohol reward and dependence are still poorly understood. The major reason is that, unlike other addictive drugs (eg, morphine, cocaine or nicotine) that have specific molecular targets, EtOH affects much wider neuronal functions. These functions include phospholipid membranes, various ion channels and receptors, synaptic and network functions, and intracellular signaling molecules. The major targets in the brain that mediate EtOH's effects remain unclear. This knowledge gap results in a therapeutic barrier in the treatment of alcoholism. Interestingly, alcohol and nicotine are often co-abused, which suggests that neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the molecular targets for nicotine, may also contribute to alcohol's abusive properties. Here, we briefly summarize recent lines of evidence showing how EtOH modulates nAChRs in the mesolimbic pathway, which provides a perspective that nAChRs are important targets mediating alcohol abuse.
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