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Cid-Jofré V, Bahamondes T, Zúñiga Correa A, Ahumada Arias I, Reyes-Parada M, Renard GM. Psychostimulants and social behaviors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1364630. [PMID: 38725665 PMCID: PMC11079219 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1364630] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence from animal models and human studies indicates that psychostimulants can significantly affect social behaviors. This is not surprising considering that the neural circuits underlying the regulation and expression of social behaviors are highly overlapped with those targeted by psychostimulants, which in most cases have strong rewarding and, consequently, addictive properties. In the present work, we provide an overview regarding the effects of illicit and prescription psychostimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, methylphenidate or modafinil, upon social behaviors such as social play, maternal behavior, aggression, pair bonding and social cognition and how psychostimulants in both animals and humans alter them. Finally, we discuss why these effects can vary depending on numerous variables such as the type of drug considered, acute versus long-term use, clinical versus recreational consumption, or the presence or absence of concomitant risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeska Cid-Jofré
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Tamara Bahamondes
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustina Zúñiga Correa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Ivalú Ahumada Arias
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Reyes-Parada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Georgina M. Renard
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
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2
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Gutiérrez-Casares JR, Quintero J, Segú-Vergés C, Rodríguez Monterde P, Pozo-Rubio T, Coma M, Montoto C. In silico clinical trial evaluating lisdexamfetamine's and methylphenidate's mechanism of action computational models in an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder virtual patients' population. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:939650. [PMID: 37333910 PMCID: PMC10273406 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.939650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an impairing psychiatric condition with the stimulants, lisdexamfetamine (LDX), and methylphenidate (MPH), as the first lines pharmacological treatment. Methods Herein, we applied a novel in silico method to evaluate virtual LDX (vLDX) and vMPH as treatments for ADHD applying quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) models. The objectives were to evaluate the model's output, considering the model characteristics and the information used to build them, to compare both virtual drugs' efficacy mechanisms, and to assess how demographic (age, body mass index, and sex) and clinical characteristics may affect vLDX's and vMPH's relative efficacies. Results and Discussion We molecularly characterized the drugs and pathologies based on a bibliographic search, and generated virtual populations of adults and children-adolescents totaling 2,600 individuals. For each virtual patient and virtual drug, we created physiologically based pharmacokinetic and QSP models applying the systems biology-based Therapeutic Performance Mapping System technology. The resulting models' predicted protein activity indicated that both virtual drugs modulated ADHD through similar mechanisms, albeit with some differences. vMPH induced several general synaptic, neurotransmitter, and nerve impulse-related processes, whereas vLDX seemed to modulate neural processes more specific to ADHD, such as GABAergic inhibitory synapses and regulation of the reward system. While both drugs' models were linked to an effect over neuroinflammation and altered neural viability, vLDX had a significant impact on neurotransmitter imbalance and vMPH on circadian system deregulation. Among demographic characteristics, age and body mass index affected the efficacy of both virtual treatments, although the effect was more marked for vLDX. Regarding comorbidities, only depression negatively impacted both virtual drugs' efficacy mechanisms and, while that of vLDX were more affected by the co-treatment of tic disorders, the efficacy mechanisms of vMPH were disturbed by wide-spectrum psychiatric drugs. Our in silico results suggested that both drugs could have similar efficacy mechanisms as ADHD treatment in adult and pediatric populations and allowed raising hypotheses for their differential impact in specific patient groups, although these results require prospective validation for clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ramón Gutiérrez-Casares
- Unidad Ambulatoria de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental de la Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia, Hospital Perpetuo Socorro, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Quintero
- Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Segú-Vergés
- Anaxomics Biotech, Barcelona, Spain
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Carmen Montoto
- Medical Department, Takeda Farmacéutica España, Madrid, Spain
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Piepgras J, Rohrbeck A, Just I, Bittner S, Ahnert-Hilger G, Höltje M. Enhancement of Phosphorylation and Transport Activity of the Neuronal Glutamate Transporter Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 by C3bot and a 26mer C3bot Peptide. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:860823. [PMID: 35783090 PMCID: PMC9240211 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.860823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In primary murine hippocampal neurons we investigated the regulation of EAAT3-mediated glutamate transport by the Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase C3bot and a 26mer peptide derived from full length protein. Incubation with either enzyme-competent C3bot or enzyme-deficient C3bot156–181 peptide resulted in the upregulation of glutamate uptake by up to 22% compared to untreated cells. A similar enhancement of glutamate transport was also achieved by the classical phorbol-ester-mediated activation of protein kinase C subtypes. Yet comparable, effects elicited by C3 preparations seemed not to rely on PKCα, γ, ε, or ζ activation. Blocking of tyrosine phosphorylation by tyrosine kinase inhibitors prevented the observed effect mediated by C3bot and C3bot 26mer. By using biochemical and molecular biological assays we could rule out that the observed C3bot and C3bot 26mer-mediated effects solely resulted from enhanced transporter expression or translocation to the neuronal surface but was rather mediated by transporter phosphorylation at tyrosine residues that was found to be significantly enhanced following incubation with either full length protein or the 26mer C3 peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Piepgras
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience and Immunotherapy, Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Astrid Rohrbeck
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ingo Just
- Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bittner
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience and Immunotherapy, Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gudrun Ahnert-Hilger
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Höltje
- Institut für Integrative Neuroanatomie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Markus Höltje,
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Chohan MO, Kopelman JM, Yueh H, Fazlali Z, Greene N, Harris AZ, Balsam PD, Leonardo ED, Kramer ER, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Ahmari SE. Developmental impact of glutamate transporter overexpression on dopaminergic neuron activity and stereotypic behavior. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1515-1526. [PMID: 35058566 PMCID: PMC9106836 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling condition that often begins in childhood. Genetic studies in OCD have pointed to SLC1A1, which encodes the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3, with evidence suggesting that increased expression contributes to risk. In mice, midbrain Slc1a1 expression supports repetitive behavior in response to dopaminergic agonists, aligning with neuroimaging and pharmacologic challenge studies that have implicated the dopaminergic system in OCD. These findings suggest that Slc1a1 may contribute to compulsive behavior through altered dopaminergic transmission; however, this theory has not been mechanistically tested. To examine the developmental impact of Slc1a1 overexpression on compulsive-like behaviors, we, therefore, generated a novel mouse model to perform targeted, reversible overexpression of Slc1a1 in dopaminergic neurons. Mice with life-long overexpression of Slc1a1 showed a significant increase in amphetamine (AMPH)-induced stereotypy and hyperlocomotion. Single-unit recordings demonstrated that Slc1a1 overexpression was associated with increased firing of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, dLight1.1 fiber photometry showed that these behavioral abnormalities were associated with increased dorsal striatum dopamine release. In contrast, no impact of overexpression was observed on anxiety-like behaviors or SKF-38393-induced grooming. Importantly, overexpression solely in adulthood failed to recapitulate these behavioral phenotypes, suggesting that overexpression during development is necessary to generate AMPH-induced phenotypes. However, doxycycline-induced reversal of Slc1a1/EAAT3 overexpression in adulthood normalized both the increased dopaminergic firing and AMPH-induced responses. These data indicate that the pathologic effects of Slc1a1/EAAT3 overexpression on dopaminergic neurotransmission and AMPH-induced stereotyped behavior are developmentally mediated, and support normalization of EAAT3 activity as a potential treatment target for basal ganglia-mediated repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad O. Chohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jared M. Kopelman
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hannah Yueh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeinab Fazlali
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Greene
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychology, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Z. Harris
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter D. Balsam
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychology, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - E. David Leonardo
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edgar R. Kramer
- Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Susanne E. Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Davis S, Zhu J. Substance abuse and neurotransmission. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2022; 93:403-441. [PMID: 35341573 PMCID: PMC9759822 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The number of people who suffer from a substance abuse disorder has continued to rise over the last decade; particularly, the number of drug-related overdose deaths has sharply increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Converging lines of clinical observations, supported by imaging and neuropsychological performance testing, have demonstrated that substance abuse-induced dysregulation of neurotransmissions in the brain is critical for development and expression of the addictive properties of abused substances. Recent scientific advances have allowed for better understanding of the neurobiological processes that mediates drugs of abuse and addiction. This chapter presents the past classic concepts and the recent advances in our knowledge about how cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, alcohol, and nicotine alter multiple neurotransmitter systems, which contribute to the behaviors associated with each drug. Additionally, we discuss the interactive effects of HIV-1 or COVID-19 and substance abuse on neurotransmission and neurobiological pathways. Finally, we introduce therapeutic strategies for development of pharmacotherapies for substance abuse disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Davis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
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Wu R, Liu J, Li JX. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 and drug abuse. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2022; 93:373-401. [PMID: 35341572 PMCID: PMC9826737 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is the best characterized receptor selectively activated by trace amines. It is broadly expressed in the monoaminergic system in the brain including ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal raphe (DR) and substantial nigra (SN). Extensive studies have suggested that TAAR1 plays an important role in the modulation of monoaminergic system, especially dopamine (DA) transmission which may underlie the mechanisms by which TAAR1 interventions affect drug abuse-like behaviors. TAAR1 activation inhibits the rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs from different classes including psychostimulants, opioid and alcohol as well as drug-induced increase in DA accumulation. The mechanisms of TAAR1's function in mediating drug abuse-like behaviors are not clear. However, it is hypothesized that TAAR1 interaction with DA transporter (DAT) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2) and the subsequent modulation of cellular cascades may contribute to the effects of TAAR1 in regulating drug abuse. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of TAAR1 in other drugs of abuse-related behaviors and its safety and efficacy for prolonged medications. Together, TAAR1 inhibits drug-induced DA transmission and drug abuse-related behaviors. Therefore, TAAR1 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,Corresponding authors: Dr. Jun-Xu Li, , Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel: +1 716 829 2482; Fax: +1 716 829 2801
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7
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Rapid Regulation of Glutamate Transport: Where Do We Go from Here? Neurochem Res 2022; 47:61-84. [PMID: 33893911 PMCID: PMC8542062 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). A family of five Na+-dependent transporters maintain low levels of extracellular glutamate and shape excitatory signaling. Shortly after the research group of the person being honored in this special issue (Dr. Baruch Kanner) cloned one of these transporters, his group and several others showed that their activity can be acutely (within minutes to hours) regulated. Since this time, several different signals and post-translational modifications have been implicated in the regulation of these transporters. In this review, we will provide a brief introduction to the distribution and function of this family of glutamate transporters. This will be followed by a discussion of the signals that rapidly control the activity and/or localization of these transporters, including protein kinase C, ubiquitination, glutamate transporter substrates, nitrosylation, and palmitoylation. We also include the results of our attempts to define the role of palmitoylation in the regulation of GLT-1 in crude synaptosomes. In some cases, the mechanisms have been fairly well-defined, but in others, the mechanisms are not understood. In several cases, contradictory phenomena have been observed by more than one group; we describe these studies with the goal of identifying the opportunities for advancing the field. Abnormal glutamatergic signaling has been implicated in a wide variety of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Although recent studies have begun to link regulation of glutamate transporters to the pathogenesis of these disorders, it will be difficult to determine how regulation influences signaling or pathophysiology of glutamate without a better understanding of the mechanisms involved.
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8
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Dedic N, Dworak H, Zeni C, Rutigliano G, Howes OD. Therapeutic Potential of TAAR1 Agonists in Schizophrenia: Evidence from Preclinical Models and Clinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413185. [PMID: 34947997 PMCID: PMC8704992 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders due to its ability to modulate monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. In particular, agonist compounds have generated interest as potential treatments for schizophrenia and other psychoses due to TAAR1-mediated regulation of dopaminergic tone. Here, we review unmet needs in schizophrenia, the current state of knowledge in TAAR1 circuit biology and neuropharmacology, including preclinical behavioral, imaging, and cellular evidence in glutamatergic, dopaminergic and genetic models linked to the pathophysiology of psychotic, negative and cognitive symptoms. Clinical trial data for TAAR1 drug candidates are reviewed and contrasted with antipsychotics. The identification of endogenous TAAR1 ligands and subsequent development of small-molecule agonists has revealed antipsychotic-, anxiolytic-, and antidepressant-like properties, as well as pro-cognitive and REM-sleep suppressing effects of TAAR1 activation in rodents and non-human primates. Ulotaront, the first TAAR1 agonist to progress to randomized controlled clinical trials, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia, while another, ralmitaront, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials in schizophrenia. Coupled with the preclinical findings, this provides a rationale for further investigation and development of this new pharmacological class for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dedic
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA; (H.D.); (C.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Heather Dworak
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA; (H.D.); (C.Z.)
| | - Courtney Zeni
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA; (H.D.); (C.Z.)
| | - Grazia Rutigliano
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Oliver D. Howes
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, Medical Research Council, London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
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Escobar AP, Martínez-Pinto J, Silva-Olivares F, Sotomayor-Zárate R, Moya PR. Altered Grooming Syntax and Amphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release in EAAT3 Overexpressing Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661478. [PMID: 34234648 PMCID: PMC8255620 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3 plays an important role in the neuronal uptake of glutamate regulating the activation of glutamate receptors. Polymorphisms in the gene-encoding EAAT3 have been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), although the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unknown. We recently reported that mice with increased EAAT3 expression in forebrain neurons (EAAT3 g lo /CMKII) display behavioral and synaptic features relevant to OCD, including increased grooming, higher anxiety-like behavior and altered cortico-striatal synaptic function. The dopamine neurotransmitter system is implicated in ritualistic behaviors. Indeed, dopaminergic neurons express EAAT3, and mice lacking EAAT3 exhibit decreased dopamine release and decreased expression of the dopamine D1 receptor. Moreover, EAAT3 plays a role on the effect of the psychostimulant amphetamine. As such, we sought to determine if the OCD-like behavior in EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice is accompanied by altered nigro-striatal dopaminergic transmission. The aim of this study was to analyze dopamine transmission both in basal conditions and after an acute challenge of amphetamine, using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and cellular approaches. We found that in basal conditions, EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice performed more grooming events and that they remained in phase 1 of the grooming chain syntax compared with control littermates. Administration of amphetamine increased the number of grooming events in control mice, while EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice remain unaffected. Interestingly, the grooming syntax of amphetamine-control mice resembled that of EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice in basal conditions. Using in vivo microdialysis, we found decreased basal dopamine levels in EAAT3 g lo /CMKII compared with control mice. Unexpectedly, we found that after acute amphetamine, EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice had a higher release of dopamine compared with that of control mice, suggesting that EAAT3 overexpression leads to increased dopamine releasability. To determine postsynaptic effect of EAAT3 overexpression over dopamine transmission, we performed Western blot analysis of dopaminergic proteins and found that EAAT3 g lo /CMKII mice have higher expression of D2 receptors, suggesting a higher inhibition of the indirect striatal pathway. Together, the data indicate that EAAT3 overexpression impacts on dopamine transmission, making dopamine neurons more sensitive to the effect of amphetamine and leading to a disbalance between the direct and indirect striatal pathways that favors the performance of repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica P Escobar
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Jonathan Martínez-Pinto
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Francisco Silva-Olivares
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa (CENFI), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Pablo R Moya
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
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10
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Fischer KD, Knackstedt LA, Rosenberg PA. Glutamate homeostasis and dopamine signaling: Implications for psychostimulant addiction behavior. Neurochem Int 2021; 144:104896. [PMID: 33159978 PMCID: PMC8489281 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse disorders are serious worldwide health problems. To date, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of these disorders. Elucidation of the biochemical underpinnings contributing to psychostimulant addiction is critical for the development of effective therapies. Excitatory signaling and glutamate homeostasis are well known pathophysiological substrates underlying addiction-related behaviors spanning multiple types of psychostimulants. To alleviate relapse behavior to psychostimulants, considerable interest has focused on GLT-1, the major glutamate transporter in the brain. While many brain regions are implicated in addiction behavior, this review focuses on two regions well known for their role in mediating the effects of cocaine and amphetamines, namely the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In addition, because many investigators have utilized Cre-driver lines to selectively control gene expression in defined cell populations relevant for psychostimulant addiction, we discuss potential off-target effects of Cre-recombinase that should be considered in the design and interpretation of such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Fischer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Lori A Knackstedt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Paul A Rosenberg
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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