1
|
Jang EY, Lee BH, Yun J, Yang CH, Yoon SS. Effects of the Synthetic Cathinone α-Pyrrolidinobutiothiophenone (α-PBT) on Discriminative Stimulus Effects and Intracranial Self-Stimulation Thresholds in Male Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2420-2431. [PMID: 38838000 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00143] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, the abuse of synthetic cathinones is increasing among young people. α-Pyrrolidinobutiothiophenone (α-PBT), a synthetic cathinone, is a designer drug that is freely traded online with no legal restrictions. Moreover, there is currently no scientific basis for legal regulation. Here, we examined the addictive properties of α-PBT using a drug discrimination (DD) task. We also investigated the role of α-PBT in brain stimulation reward (BSR) using an intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm in rats. Initially, the rats were trained to discriminate between cocaine and saline. After the discrimination training criteria were met, we determined the dose-effect curves of cocaine and conducted generalization tests with α-PBT and α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT) using a cumulative dosing protocol. In a separate set of studies, we examined the dopaminergic mechanisms underlying the function of α-PBT as an interoceptive stimulus (17.8 mg/kg) by intraperitoneally injecting either the dopamine (DA) D1 antagonist SCH23390 (0.06 and 0.12 mg/kg) or the D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) 15 min before DD testing. Brain reward function was measured using an ICSS procedure to examine the effects of α-PBT on ICSS threshold under the frequency-rate procedure. Our results showed that α-PBT functioned as a discriminative cue similar to cocaine in rats. More importantly, SCH23390 abolished the effects of α-PBT as an interoceptive stimulus in a dose-dependent manner in rats trained to press a lever to receive cocaine. Similarly, eticlopride dose-dependently attenuated the effect of α-PBT used as a discriminative cue. Additionally, cumulative α-PBT administration dose-dependently lowered ICSS thresholds compared with those in saline-treated rats. Furthermore, α-PBT-induced potentiation of BSR was abolished by pretreatment with both SCH23390 and eticlopride. Taken together, our results suggest that α-PBT can function as a cocaine-like discriminative cue via the activation of D1 and D2 receptors. α-PBT also appears to influence BSR by reducing the brain reward threshold via changes in D1 and D2 receptors. The present study suggests that α-PBT could have addictive properties through DA D1 and D2 receptors and thus poses a threat to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Jang
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyo Lee
- Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesuk Yun
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Shoon Yoon
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42158, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jeon KO, Kim OH, Seo SY, Yun J, Jang CG, Lim RN, Kim TW, Yang CH, Yoon SS, Jang EY. The psychomotor, reinforcing, and discriminative stimulus effects of synthetic cathinone mexedrone in male mice and rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 969:176466. [PMID: 38431243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176466] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The chronic use of the novel synthetic cathinone mexedrone, like other psychoactive drugs, can be considered addictive, with a high potential for abuse and the ability to cause psychological dependence in certain users. However, little is known about the neurobehavioral effects of mexedrone in association with its potential for abuse. We investigated the abuse potential for mexedrone abuse through multiple behavioral tests. In addition, serotonin transporter (SERT) levels were measured in the synaptosome of the dorsal striatum, and serotonin (5-HT) levels were measured in the dorsal striatum of acute mexedreone (50 mg/kg)-treated mice. To clarify the neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying the locomotor response of mexedrone, the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) was administered prior to the acute injection of mexedrone in the locomotor activity experiment in mice. Mexedrone (10-50 mg/kg) produced a significant place preference in mice and mexedrone (0.1-0.5 mg/kg/infusion) maintained self-administration behavior in rats in a dose-dependent manner. In the drug discrimination experiment, mexedrone (5.6-32 mg/kg) was fully substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in rats. Mexedrone increased locomotor activity, and these effects were reversed by pretreatment with M100907. Acute mexedrone significantly increased c-Fos expression in the dorsal striatum and decreased SERT levels in the synaptosome of the dorsal striatum of mice, resulting in an elevation of 5-HT levels. Taken together, our results provide the possibility that mexedrone has abuse potential, which might be mediated, at least in part, by the activation of the serotonergic system in the dorsal striatum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Oh Jeon
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Oc-Hee Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Yeon Seo
- Korean Medicine (KM) Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesuk Yun
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ri-Na Lim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Wan Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu, 42158, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Shoon Yoon
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 136 Sincheondong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu, 42158, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Young Jang
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Radhakrishna U, Sadhasivam S, Radhakrishnan R, Forray A, Muvvala SB, Metpally RP, Patel S, Rawal RM, Vishweswaraiah S, Bahado-Singh RO, Nath SK. Placental cytochrome P450 methylomes in infants exposed to prenatal opioids: exploring the effects of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome on health horizons. Front Genet 2024; 14:1292148. [PMID: 38264209 PMCID: PMC10805101 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1292148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), arises due to increased opioid use during pregnancy. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play a pivotal role in metabolizing a wide range of substances in the human body, including opioids, other drugs, toxins, and endogenous compounds. The association between CYP gene methylation and opioid effects is unexplored and it could offer promising insights. Objective: To investigate the impact of prenatal opioid exposure on disrupted CYPs in infants and their anticipated long-term clinical implications. Study Design: DNA methylation levels of CYP genes were analyzed in a cohort of 96 placental tissues using Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC (850 k) BeadChips. This involved three groups of placental tissues: 32 from mothers with infants exposed to opioids prenatally requiring pharmacologic treatment for NOWS, 32 from mothers with prenatally opioid-exposed infants not needing NOWS treatment, and 32 from unexposed control mothers. Results: The study identified 20 significantly differentially methylated CpG sites associated with 17 distinct CYP genes, with 14 CpGs showing reduced methylation across 14 genes (CYP19A1, CYP1A2, CYP4V2, CYP1B1, CYP24A1, CYP26B1, CYP26C1, CYP2C18, CYP2C9, CYP2U1, CYP39A1, CYP2R1, CYP4Z1, CYP2D7P1 and), while 8 exhibited hypermethylation (CYP51A1, CYP26B1, CYP2R1, CYP2U1, CYP4X1, CYP1A2, CYP2W1, and CYP4V2). Genes such as CYP1A2, CYP26B1, CYP2R1, CYP2U1, and CYP4V2 exhibited both increased and decreased methylation. These genes are crucial for metabolizing eicosanoids, fatty acids, drugs, and diverse substances. Conclusion: The study identified profound methylation changes in multiple CYP genes in the placental tissues relevant to NOWS. This suggests that disruption of DNA methylation patterns in CYP transcripts might play a role in NOWS and may serve as valuable biomarkers, suggesting a future pathway for personalized treatment. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore their potential for diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uppala Radhakrishna
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Senthilkumar Sadhasivam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rupa Radhakrishnan
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Ariadna Forray
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Srinivas B. Muvvala
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Raghu P. Metpally
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States
| | - Saumya Patel
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Science, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Rakesh M. Rawal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Sangeetha Vishweswaraiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Ray O. Bahado-Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Swapan K. Nath
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ethridge SB, Smith MA. Estradiol and Mu opioid-mediated reward: The role of estrogen receptors in opioid use. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 9:100139. [PMID: 38155959 PMCID: PMC10753849 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use and opioid use disorder are characterized by sex and gender differences, and some of these differences may be mediated by differences in the hormonal milieu within and across individuals. This review focuses on the role of ovarian hormones, and particularly estradiol, on the endogenous mu opioid receptor system. There is an abundance of data indicating that estradiol influences the activity of endogenous mu opioid peptides, the activation of mu opioid receptors, and the internalization and desensitization of mu opioid receptors. These effects have functional consequences on behaviors mediated by endogenous mu opioid receptor activity and on sensitivity to mu opioid agonists and antagonists. Recent behavioral data suggest these consequences extend to mu opioid reward, and preclinical studies report that estradiol decreases self-administration of mu opioid receptor agonists across a range of experimental conditions. Data collected in human laboratory studies suggest that estradiol may have functionally similar effects in clinical populations, and thus estrogen receptors may be a potential target in the development of novel therapeutics. This review summarizes data from cellular assays to clinical trials to explore how estradiol influences mu opioid receptor activity, as well as potential ways in which estrogen receptors may be targeted to address the problems of opioid use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B. Ethridge
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA
| | - Mark A. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pabon E, de Wit H. Effects of Oral Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Women During the Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:1117-1125. [PMID: 35593915 PMCID: PMC10714110 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study examined effects of oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in women at two phases of the menstrual cycle differing in circulating levels of estrogen (E). Pre-clinical findings indicate that E increases sensitivity to THC and other cannabinoids, raising the possibility that higher E may be a risk factor for adverse responses to THC in women. Methods: We examined subjective and behavioral responses to THC (7.5 and 15 mg oral) and placebo in women during the early follicular (EF) phase when E levels are low and the late follicular (LF) phase when E levels are higher. Outcome measures included self-report ratings of drug effects, cardiovascular measures, and biochemical verification of ovarian hormone levels. We hypothesized that women would exhibit greater responses to THC during the LF phase compared to the EF phase. Results: On most measures, responses to THC were similar during the two phases. However, on two self-report measures, "Wanting More" drug and anxiety, the effects occurred slightly earlier after drug administration in women who were tested during the EF phase. Conclusions: We conclude that the differences in levels of E occurring during the early and LF phase of the menstrual cycle do not strongly influence responses to THC. It remains to be determined whether responses are similarly stable across other cycle phases, or in women receiving exogenous hormone treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pabon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Strzelecki AM, Gipson CD, Childs E, Weafer J. Preliminary evidence of increased alcohol use associated with ethinyl estradiol levels in women using oral contraceptives. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2023; 9:100194. [PMID: 37954868 PMCID: PMC10632661 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use is highly prevalent in young adult women and rates of alcohol use disorder are rising rapidly in this population. Further, emerging evidence suggests that circulating levels of ovarian hormones influence alcohol consumption, with increased consumption associated with higher estradiol and lower progesterone levels. However, less is known about the influence of synthetic hormones (contained in oral contraceptive (OC) pills) on alcohol use. The current study examined the influence of OC pill phase, ethinyl estradiol (EE) levels, and progestin levels on self-reported alcohol consumption in healthy female drinkers. Young adult female drinkers using OCs (N = 21) reported alcohol use across one OC pill pack using the Timeline Followback and provided blood samples during both pill phases to measure synthetic hormone levels. We compared alcohol use between OC pill phases (active vs. inactive) using linear mixed effects models for repeated measures and examined correlations between alcohol use and EE and progestin levels. Results showed that women with higher EE levels reported increased alcohol consumption (r = 0.56, p = 0.01) and binge drinking (r = 0.45, p = 0.04) in the active pill phase. Progestin levels and pill phase were not significantly associated with alcohol consumption. These findings provide preliminary data suggesting increased levels of EE from OC pills are associated with excessive alcohol consumption in women. Further research is needed to determine if EE plays a causal role in increased alcohol consumption. This line of research could inform female-specific AUD prevention and treatment strategies among the large subpopulation of women using hormonal contraceptives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassandra D. Gipson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Emma Childs
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jessica Weafer
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Woodlief K, Allen MI, Cornelissen JC, Banks ML, Newman AH, Nader MA. Effects of selective dopamine D3 receptor partial agonist/antagonists on oxycodone self-administration and antinociception in monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1716-1723. [PMID: 37118057 PMCID: PMC10579365 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01590-8] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that dopamine D3 receptors (D3R) may be a therapeutic target for opioid use disorders (OUD). This study examined the effects of the D3R partial agonist (±)VK4-40 and the D3R-selective antagonist (±)VK4-116, compared to the mu-opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (NTX), in nonhuman primate models of OUD and antinociception. Adult male and female (N = 4/sex) cynomolgus monkeys were trained to self-administer oxycodone (0.003-0.1 mg/kg/injection) first under a fixed-ratio (FR) and then a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement during daily 1- and 4-hr sessions, respectively. Under the FR schedule, intravenous NTX (0.01-0.1 mg/kg), (±)VK4-116 (1.0-10 mg/kg), and (±)VK4-40 (1.0-10 mg/kg) were studied in combination with the peak oxycodone dose and a dose on the descending limb of the dose-effect curve; NTX and (±)VK4-40 were also studied at the peak of the PR dose-response curve (N = 4). Following saline extinction, each compound was examined on oxycodone-induced reinstatement. Finally, these compounds were assessed in adult male rhesus monkeys (N = 3) in a warm-water (38 °C, 50 °C, 54 °C) tail withdrawal assay. NTX decreased responding on the peak of the FR oxycodone dose-response curve, but increased responding on the descending limb. (±)VK4-40, but not (±)VK4-116, significantly decreased peak oxycodone self-administration; (±)VK4-40 did not increase responding on the descending limb. NTX and (±)VK4-40, but not (±)VK4-116, attenuated oxycodone-induced reinstatement. Under PR responding, NTX and (±)VK4-40 decreased breakpoints. Oxycodone-induced antinociception was attenuated by NTX, but not by (±)VK4-40 or (±)VK4-116. Together, these results suggest that further research evaluating the effects of (±)VK4-40 as a novel pharmacotherapy for OUD is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kendall Woodlief
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, NC, USA
| | - Mia I Allen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, NC, USA
| | - Jeremy C Cornelissen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, VA, USA
| | - Matthew L Banks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, VA, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Michael A Nader
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, 27157, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zheng Y, Liu D, Guo H, Chen W, Liu Z, Li Z, Hu T, Zhang Y, Li X, Zhao Z, Cai Q, Ge F, Fan Y, Guan X. Paternal methamphetamine exposure induces higher sensitivity to methamphetamine in male offspring through driving ADRB1 on CaMKII-positive neurons in mPFC. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:324. [PMID: 37857642 PMCID: PMC10587075 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02624-x] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Paternal abuse of drugs, such as methamphetamine (METH), elevates the risk of developing addiction in subsequent generations, however, its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Male adult mice (F0) were exposed to METH for 30 days, followed by mating with naïve female mice to create the first-generation mice (F1). When growing to adulthood, F1 were subjected to conditioned place preference (CPP) test. Subthreshold dose of METH (sd-METH), insufficient to induce CPP normally, were used in F1. Selective antagonist (betaxolol) for β1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1) or its knocking-down virus were administrated into mPFC to regulate ADRB1 function and expression on CaMKII-positive neurons. METH-sired male F1 acquired sd-METH-induced CPP, indicating that paternal METH exposure induce higher sensitivity to METH in male F1. Compared with saline (SAL)-sired male F1, CaMKII-positive neuronal activity was normal without sd-METH, but strongly evoked after sd-METH treatment in METH-sired male F1 during adulthood. METH-sired male F1 had higher ADRB1 levels without sd-METH, which was kept at higher levels after sd-METH treatment in mPFC. Either inhibiting ADRB1 function with betaxolol, or knocking-down ADRB1 level on CaMKII-positive neurons (ADRB1CaMKII) with virus transfection efficiently suppressed sd-METH -evoked mPFC activation, and ultimately blocked sd-METH-induced CPP in METH-sired male F1. In the process, the p-ERK1/2 and ΔFosB may be potential subsequent signals of mPFC ADRB1CaMKII. The mPFC ADRB1CaMKII mediates paternal METH exposure-induced higher sensitivity to drug addiction in male offspring, raising a promising pharmacological target for predicting or treating transgenerational addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zheng
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Dekang Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hao Guo
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhaosu Li
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ziheng Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qinglong Cai
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Feifei Ge
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xiaowei Guan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Polak K, Haug NA, Dillon P, Svikis DS. Substance Use Disorders in Women. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2023; 46:487-503. [PMID: 37500246 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.04.006] [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] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is among the leading causes of premature morbidity and mortality and imposes significant health, economic, and social burdens. Gender differences have been found in the development, course, and treatment of SUD, with women at increased risk for physiologic and psychosocial consequences compared with men. Reasons for these differences are multifold and include biological, genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. This article discusses SUD among women, emphasizing clinical considerations for care. Specific topics include epidemiology, sex and gender differences, common comorbidities, screening, diagnosis, treatment, pregnancy, and sociocultural factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Polak
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, PO Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
| | - Nancy A Haug
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Pamela Dillon
- Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Dace S Svikis
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Women's Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, PO Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Babb JA, Constantino NJ, Kaplan GB, Chartoff EH. Estrous cycle dependent expression of oxycodone conditioned reward in rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13946. [PMID: 37626154 PMCID: PMC10457365 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40971-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxycodone is one of the most widely prescribed and misused opioid painkillers in the United States. Evidence suggests that biological sex and hormonal status can impact drug reward in humans and rodents, but the extent to which these factors can influence the rewarding effects of oxycodone is unclear. The purpose of this study was to utilize place conditioning to determine the effects of sex and female hormonal status on the expression of oxycodone conditioned reward in rats. Gonadally intact adult Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were used to test: (1) whether both sexes express conditioned reward to oxycodone at similar doses, (2) the impact of conditioning session length on oxycodone conditioned reward expression in both sexes, and (3) the influence of female estrous cycle stage on oxycodone conditioned reward expression. Both sexes expressed conditioned reward at the same doses of oxycodone. Increasing the length of conditioning sessions did not reveal an effect of sex and resulted in lower magnitude conditioned reward expression. Importantly however, female stage of estrous cycle significantly influenced oxycodone conditioned reward expression. These results suggest that female hormonal status can impact the rewarding effects of opioids and thus have important implications for prescription opioid treatment practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Babb
- Research and Mental Health Services, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | | | - Gary B Kaplan
- Research and Mental Health Services, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elena H Chartoff
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maher EE, Strzelecki AM, Weafer JJ, Gipson CD. The importance of translationally evaluating steroid hormone contributions to substance use. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101059. [PMID: 36758769 PMCID: PMC10182261 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101059] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Clinically, women appear to be more susceptible to certain aspects of substance use disorders (SUDs). The steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) have been linked to women-specific drug behaviors. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies investigating how cycling ovarian hormones affect nicotine-, cocaine-, and opioid-related behaviors. We also highlight gaps in the literature regarding how synthetic steroid hormone use may influence drug-related behaviors. In addition, we explore how E2 and Pg are known to interact in brain reward pathways and provide evidence of how these interactions may influence drug-related behaviors. The synthesis of this review demonstrates the critical need to study women-specific factors that may influence aspects of SUDs, which may play important roles in addiction processes in a sex-specific fashion. It is important to understand factors that impact women's health and may be key to moving the field forward toward more efficacious and individualized treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Maher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ashley M Strzelecki
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jessica J Weafer
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Cassandra D Gipson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Johnson CS, Mermelstein PG. The interaction of membrane estradiol receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors in adaptive and maladaptive estradiol-mediated motivated behaviors in females. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:33-91. [PMID: 36868633 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptors were initially identified as intracellular, ligand-regulated transcription factors that result in genomic change upon ligand binding. However, rapid estrogen receptor signaling initiated outside of the nucleus was also known to occur via mechanisms that were less clear. Recent studies indicate that these traditional receptors, estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β, can also be trafficked to act at the surface membrane. Signaling cascades from these membrane-bound estrogen receptors (mERs) can rapidly alter cellular excitability and gene expression, particularly through the phosphorylation of CREB. A principal mechanism of neuronal mER action has been shown to occur through glutamate-independent transactivation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu), which elicits multiple signaling outcomes. The interaction of mERs with mGlu has been shown to be important in many diverse functions in females, including driving motivated behaviors. Experimental evidence suggests that a large part of estradiol-induced neuroplasticity and motivated behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, occurs through estradiol-dependent mER activation of mGlu. Herein we will review signaling through estrogen receptors, both "classical" nuclear receptors and membrane-bound receptors, as well as estradiol signaling through mGlu. We will focus on how the interactions of these receptors and their downstream signaling cascades are involved in driving motivated behaviors in females, discussing a representative adaptive motivated behavior (reproduction) and maladaptive motivated behavior (addiction).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Szczurowska E, Szánti-Pintér E, Chetverikov N, Randáková A, Kudová E, Jakubík J. Modulation of Muscarinic Signalling in the Central Nervous System by Steroid Hormones and Neurosteroids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010507. [PMID: 36613951 PMCID: PMC9820491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in the central nervous system mediate various functions, including cognition, memory, or reward. Therefore, muscarinic receptors represent potential pharmacological targets for various diseases and conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, addiction, epilepsy, or depression. Muscarinic receptors are allosterically modulated by neurosteroids and steroid hormones at physiologically relevant concentrations. In this review, we focus on the modulation of muscarinic receptors by neurosteroids and steroid hormones in the context of diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Further, we propose the potential use of neuroactive steroids in the development of pharmacotherapeutics for these diseases and conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Szczurowska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eszter Szánti-Pintér
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikolai Chetverikov
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Randáková
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Jan Jakubík
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (J.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Novick AM, Duffy KA, Johnson RL, Sammel MD, Cao W, Strasser AA, Sofuoglu M, Kuzma A, Loughead J, Epperson CN. Progesterone Increases Nicotine Withdrawal and Anxiety in Male but Not Female Smokers During Brief Abstinence. Nicotine Tob Res 2022; 24:1898-1905. [PMID: 35713950 PMCID: PMC9653080 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although exogenous progesterone may hold promise as a treatment for nicotine use disorders, it is unclear whether it is similarly effective in males and females. This study examined the effects of progesterone on nicotine use disorder comprehensively using behavioral, psychological, and neural measures in male and female smokers exposed to brief abstinence. AIMS AND METHODS Thirty-three male and 33 female non-treatment-seeking smokers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of 200 mg of progesterone or placebo daily over a four-day abstinence period. Smoking behavior and subjective effects of nicotine were assessed at baseline and after final drug administration. Nicotine withdrawal, smoking urges, mood states, and neural response to smoking cues were measured at baseline, after the first drug administration, and after the final drug administration. RESULTS No main effect of drug (progesterone vs. placebo) emerged for any outcome. Significant sex by drug interactions emerged for nicotine withdrawal (p = .020), perceived strength of nicotine (p = .040), and perceived bad effects of nicotine (p = .029). Males receiving progesterone reported worse nicotine withdrawal (p = .046) and a trend towards decreased bad effects of nicotine (p = .070). Males on progesterone also reported greater tension and anxiety relative to placebo (p = .021). Females on progesterone perceived nicotine's effects as being stronger relative to placebo (p = .046). CONCLUSIONS Progesterone causes sex-dependent effects on smoking-related outcomes during brief abstinence. Specifically, progesterone in males may increase rather than decrease nicotine withdrawal and negative affect during abstinence, potentially hindering efforts to quit smoking. IMPLICATIONS In male and female smokers undergoing a brief period of abstinence, we examined the effects of progesterone on smoking outcomes. While progesterone had limited effects in female smokers, in males, it worsened nicotine withdrawal and negative affect. Our findings emphasize the importance of analyzing sex differences in future studies examining progesterone as a potential treatment and suggest that progesterone in males could potentially exacerbate aspects of nicotine dependence. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION NCT01954966. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01954966.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Novick
- Corresponding Author: Andrew M. Novick, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Telephone: 303-724-5656; Fax: 844-886-1892; E-mail:
| | - Korrina A Duffy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rachel L Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mary D Sammel
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Wen Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew A Strasser
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexandra Kuzma
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VM, USA
| | - James Loughead
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang L, Zheng H, Wang M, Chen S, Du X, Dong GH. Sex differences in neural substrates of risk taking: Implications for sex-specific vulnerabilities to internet gaming disorder. J Behav Addict 2022; 11:778-795. [PMID: 36053718 PMCID: PMC9872542 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sex differences in internet gaming disorder (IGD) remain unknown. Investigating sex-specific neural features that underlie the core risk factor (i.e., risk-taking) of IGD would help in understanding sex-specific vulnerabilities to IGD and advance sex-specific treatments and prevention for IGD. METHODS 111 participants (28 IGD males, 27 IGD females, 26 recreational game user (RGU) males, 30 RGU females) completed a probability discounting task during fMRI scanning. RESULTS First, among RGUs, males showed a higher risk-taking tendency and greater neural activation associated with risk/value evaluation for reward (the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left putamen) and smaller activation associated with cognitive control (the inferior frontal gyrus) than females during the contrast of risky-safe choices. Moreover, males showed a greater modulatory effect of risky choices on the connection from the vmPFC/ACC to the left putamen than females. Second, IGD males showed decreased activation in the vmPFC/ACC and left putamen compared to RGU males, whereas this decrease did not exist in IGD females. DISCUSSION Males show a higher risk-taking tendency than females. Altered neural substrates associated with risky decision-making exist in IGD males but not in IGD females. CONCLUSIONS The present findings fill the gap in information on the behavioral and neural substrates underlying IGD among females and demonstrate that a high risk-taking tendency is a risk factor and core symptom only in IGD males but not in IGD females. It is necessary to design and adopt distinct treatments and prevention strategies for IGD in males and females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Wang
- Centre for Cognition and Brain disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Hui Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wang
- Centre for Cognition and Brain disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shuaiyu Chen
- Centre for Cognition and Brain disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Heng Dong
- Centre for Cognition and Brain disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gao XB, Horvath TL. From Molecule to Behavior: Hypocretin/orexin Revisited From a Sex-dependent Perspective. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:743-760. [PMID: 34792130 PMCID: PMC9277634 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/Orx) system in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus has been recognized as a critical node in a complex network of neuronal systems controlling both physiology and behavior in vertebrates. Our understanding of the Hcrt/Orx system and its array of functions and actions has grown exponentially in merely 2 decades. This review will examine the latest progress in discerning the roles played by the Hcrt/Orx system in regulating homeostatic functions and in executing instinctive and learned behaviors. Furthermore, the gaps that currently exist in our knowledge of sex-related differences in this field of study are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bing Gao
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Georgieva E, Benkova K, Vlaeva N, Karamalakova Y, Miteva R, Abrashev H, Nikolova G. Is Illicit Substance Use Gender-Specific? The Basic Points of Mental and Health Disorders. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10070344. [PMID: 35878250 PMCID: PMC9323370 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10070344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Among the groups of users of illicit substances, a high percentage are persons deprived of their liberty; at the same time, each social and age group is also affected, to one degree or another. The purpose of this study is to provide general data on the relationship between different psychostimulants, clinical and socio-demographic studies, and gender, both among the general population and in one of the most at-risk groups. This review identifies the use of illicit substances as gender-specific in the general population. A detailed study of the causal relationship between the use of illicit substances and gender was carried out. Electronic databases Academic Search Complete, PubMed, HealthCare, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies up to 2022 associated with drug abuse and mental and health disorders. The analysis indicated that the human population showed significant differences between the sex of the consumer as to the type of drug consumers, development of addiction, and relapse. We focus on the pathological changes caused by drug use, the personal and physiological individual traits that influence drug choice, and the extent of use in one of the most affected groups of individuals. The study may provide some guidance in developing gender-specific treatment and prevention, including response to some pharmacological and behavioral therapies. The review is intended for a wide audience of social workers, toxicologists, and pharmacologists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Georgieva
- Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Deontology and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; (E.G.); (R.M.)
- Department of Medical Psychology, Social Activities and Foreign Languages, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; (K.B.); (N.V.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Krasimira Benkova
- Department of Medical Psychology, Social Activities and Foreign Languages, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; (K.B.); (N.V.)
| | - Nadya Vlaeva
- Department of Medical Psychology, Social Activities and Foreign Languages, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; (K.B.); (N.V.)
| | - Yanka Karamalakova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Radostina Miteva
- Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Deontology and Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; (E.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Hristo Abrashev
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Galina Nikolova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +359-897-771-301
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Carvalho JV, Souza LS, Moreira EC. Association between cannabis use and suicidal behavior: A systematic review of cohort studies. Psychiatry Res 2022; 312:114555. [PMID: 35461121 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of cannabis is highly prevalent worldwide, with known short and long-term adverse effects. However, the relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior remains relatively unexplored and this paper aims to unify existing literature on the topic. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and LILACS databases with a supplementary search to identify cohort articles published up to January 2020, with no age delimitation for the samples. This review aimed to address the relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior, defined as suicidal ideation, attempted suicide or completed suicide. Twenty-two articles were identified, with no clear consensus, irrespective of the outcome being investigated. This was the case even when taking into consideration only those studies with a sound methodology (according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale). Studies that identified an association explored the importance of the endocannabinoid system as well as the psychosocial context of the individual while developing suicidal behavior, with certain studies demonstrating that greater intensity or precocity of cannabis use increases the strength of this association. The relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior is complex, with no consensus in the literature. Further studies with standardized definitions for cannabis use, including frequency of use, along with improved controls for confounding variables are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Carvalho
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Lucca S Souza
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Esdras Cabus Moreira
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Departamento de Neurociências e Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Centro de Estudos e Terapia do Abuso de Drogas (CETAD), Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sex Differences in Psychostimulant Abuse: Implications for Estrogen Receptors and Histone Deacetylases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050892. [PMID: 35627277 PMCID: PMC9140379 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse is a chronic pathological disorder that negatively affects many health and neurological processes. A growing body of literature has revealed gender differences in substance use. Compared to men, women display distinct drug-use phenotypes accompanied by recovery and rehabilitation disparities. These observations have led to the notion that sex-dependent susceptibilities exist along the progression to addiction. Within this scope, neuroadaptations following psychostimulant exposure are thought to be distinct for each sex. This review summarizes clinical findings and animal research reporting sex differences in the subjective and behavioral responses to cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine. This discussion is followed by an examination of epigenetic and molecular alterations implicated in the addiction process. Special consideration is given to histone deacetylases and estrogen receptor-mediated gene expression.
Collapse
|
20
|
Almey A, Milner TA, Brake WG. Estrogen receptors observed at extranuclear neuronal sites and in glia in the nucleus accumbens core and shell of the female rat: Evidence for localization to catecholaminergic and GABAergic neurons. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2056-2072. [PMID: 35397175 PMCID: PMC9167786 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens affect dopamine-dependent diseases/behavior and have rapid effects on dopamine release and receptor availability in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Low levels of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ are seen in the NAc, which cannot account for the rapid effects of estrogens in this region. G-protein coupled ER 1 (GPER1) is observed at low levels in the NAc shell, which also likely does not account for the array of estrogens' effects in this region. Prior studies demonstrated membrane-associated ERs in the dorsal striatum; these experiments extend those findings to the NAc core and shell. Single- and dual-immunolabeling electron microscopy determined whether ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are at extranuclear sites in the NAc core and shell and whether ERα and GPER1 were localized to catecholaminergic or γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons. All three ERs are observed, almost exclusively, at extranuclear sites in the NAc, and similarly distributed in the core and shell. ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are primarily in axons and axon terminals suggesting that estrogens affect transmission in the NAc via presynaptic mechanisms. About 10% of these receptors are found on glia. A small proportion of ERα and GPER1 are localized to catecholaminergic terminals, suggesting that binding at these ERs alters release of catecholamines, including dopamine. A larger proportion of ERα and GPER1 are localized to GABAergic dendrites and terminals, suggesting that estrogens alter GABAergic transmission to indirectly affect dopamine transmission in the NAc. Thus, the localization of ERs could account for the rapid effects of estrogen in the NAc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Almey
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA.,Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Joyce KM, Thompson K, Good KP, Tibbo PG, O'Leary ME, Perrot TS, Hudson A, Stewart SH. The impact of depressed mood and coping motives on cannabis use quantity across the menstrual cycle in those with and without pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. Addiction 2021; 116:2746-2758. [PMID: 33651443 DOI: 10.1111/add.15465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Reported rates of cannabis use among Canadian females are increasing. Female cannabis users progress to cannabis use disorder more rapidly than males (telescoping) and have higher rates of emotional disorder comorbidity. Addictive behaviors may change, along with mood and motivations, across the menstrual cycle (MC), particularly for females with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study aimed to determine whether increases in depressed mood and coping motives would predict increased cannabis use pre-menstrually/menstrually, particularly among females with PMDD. We also assessed positive mood and enhancement motive ratings to establish specificity of predicted depressed mood and coping motive results. DESIGN Observational study using data collected across 32 days using electronic daily diary methods. SETTING Nova Scotia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-nine naturally cycling female cannabis users (Mean (M) age = 29.25, Standard Deviation (SD) = 5.66) with and without retrospectively identified PMDD (via structured clinical interview) and prospectively identified PMDD (via elevated pre-menstrual depressed mood). Self-reported MC phase was validated using salivary progesterone concentrations. MEASUREMENTS Depressed/positive mood, coping-/enhancement-motivated cannabis use, and cannabis use quantity. FINDINGS Coping motives explained heightened cannabis use pre-menstrually/menstrually in those with retrospectively identified PMDD. Depressed mood explained increased cannabis use menstrually in those with retrospectively/prospectively identified PMDD. Moreover, prospectively identified PMDD significantly moderated the relationship between depressed mood and cannabis use quantity menstrually. In those with prospectively identified PMDD, positive mood and enhancement motives were associated with decreased cannabis use during the follicular/ovulatory phases. Females with versus without retrospectively identified PMDD also displayed greater overall cannabis use quantity (M [SD] = 3.44[2.84] standard joint equivalents versus 1.85[1.82], respectively; U = 277.50, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Depressed mood may explain heightened cannabis use menstrually in females with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. Coping motives may explain heightened cannabis use pre-menstrually/menstrually in females with retrospectively identified with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M Joyce
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kara Thompson
- Department of Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, 2323 Notre Dame Ave., Antigonish, NS, Canada
| | - Kimberley P Good
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Philip G Tibbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - M Elizabeth O'Leary
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tara S Perrot
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Amanda Hudson
- Health PEI, Mental Health and Addictions Research Centre, 347 Church Street, Alberton, PEI, Canada
| | - Sherry H Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Abbie J. Lane Building, 5909 Veterans' Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Addictive behaviors across the menstrual cycle: a systematic review. Arch Womens Ment Health 2021; 24:529-542. [PMID: 33404701 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-020-01094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Research examining relations between menstrual cycle phase and female addictive behaviors is accumulating. Theories suggest addictive behaviors may increase during specific phases of the menstrual cycle resulting from cyclical fluctuations in hormones and affect. In line with self-medication theory, we predicted that addictive behaviors would increase premenstrually and menstrually, phases marked by elevations in negative affect, relative to the follicular and luteal phases. We also hypothesized, coinciding with reward-sensitivity theory, that addictive behaviors may increase during ovulation, a phase characterized by increased positive affect, compared to the same phases. This systematic review summarizes extant literature examining the menstrual cycle phase-addictive behavior relationship and underlying motivations. Articles pertaining to menstrual cycle phase and addictive behaviors within the PsycINFO, CINAL, and PubMED databases were screened to determine eligibility following PRISMA guidelines (n = 1568). Thirty-four articles examining alcohol use, cannabis use, nicotine use, caffeine use, and gambling behavior across menstrual cycle phase met inclusion criteria. Consistent with self-medication theory, strong evidence indicated that nicotine use increased premenstrually and menstrually. Other factors increasing both nicotine and alcohol use premenstrually and menstrually include having a premenstrual dysphoric disorder diagnosis or having premenstrual syndrome. Motivations for using alcohol and nicotine may too vary by menstrual cycle phase. Results were less consistent or understudied for other addictive behaviors and thus conclusions cannot be drawn. Menstrual cycle phase appears to be a female-specific factor affecting some addictive behaviors, particularly nicotine use, and should be considered when conducting addictive behavior research or clinical interventions for reproductive-aged females with addictive disorders.
Collapse
|
23
|
Martin EL, Doncheck EM, Reichel CM, McRae-Clark AL. Consideration of sex as a biological variable in the translation of pharmacotherapy for stress-associated drug seeking. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100364. [PMID: 34345636 PMCID: PMC8319013 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is a frequent precipitant of relapse to drug use. Pharmacotherapies targeting a diverse array of neural systems have been assayed for efficacy in attenuating stress-induced drug-seeking in both rodents and in humans, but none have shown enough evidence of utility to warrant routine use in the clinic. We posit that a critical barrier in effective translation is inattention to sex as a biological variable at all phases of the research process. In this review, we detail the neurobiological systems implicated in stress-induced relapse to cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine, and cannabis, as well as the pharmacotherapies that have been used to target these systems in rodent models, the human laboratory, and in clinical trials. In each of these areas we additionally describe the potential influences of biological sex on outcomes, and how inattention to fundamental sex differences can lead to biases during drug development that contribute to the limited success of large clinical trials. Based on these observations, we determine that of the pharmacotherapies discussed only α2-adrenergic receptor agonists and oxytocin have a body of research with sufficient consideration of biological sex to warrant further clinical evaluation. Pharmacotherapies that target β-adrenergic receptors, other neuroactive peptides, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroactive steroids, and the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems require further assessment in females at the preclinical and human laboratory levels before progression to clinical trials can be recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Martin
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Aimee L McRae-Clark
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Animal models of addictive behaviors are useful for uncovering neural mechanisms involved in the development of dependence and for identifying risk factors for drug abuse. One such risk factor is biological sex, which strongly moderates drug self-administration behavior in rodents. Female rodents are more likely to acquire drug self-administration behaviors, consume higher amounts of drug, and reinstate drug-seeking behavior more readily. Despite this female vulnerability, preclinical addiction research has largely been done in male animals. The study of sex differences in rodent models of addictive behavior is increasing, however, as more investigators are choosing to include both male and female animals in experiments. This commentary is meant to serve as an introductory guide for preclinical investigators new to the study of sex differences in addiction. We provide an overview of self-administration models, a broad view of female versus male self-administration behaviors, and suggestions for study design and implementation. Inclusion of female subjects in preclinical addiction research is timely, as problem drug and alcohol use in women is increasing. With proper attention, design, and analysis, the study of sex differences in addiction has the potential to uncover novel neural mechanisms and lead to greater translational success for addiction research. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Radke
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Elizabeth A. Sneddon
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Sean C. Monroe
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ma R, Mikhail ME, Culbert KM, Johnson AW, Sisk CL, Klump KL. Ovarian Hormones and Reward Processes in Palatable Food Intake and Binge Eating. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 35:69-78. [PMID: 31799907 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00013.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones are associated with risk for binge eating in women. Recent animal and human studies suggest that food-related reward processing may be one set of neurobiological factors that contribute to these relationships, but additional studies are needed to confirm and extend findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruofan Ma
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Megan E Mikhail
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kristen M Culbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Alex W Johnson
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Cheryl L Sisk
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kelly L Klump
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sherman BJ, Baker NL, Schmarder K, McRae-Clark AL, Gray KM. Latency to cannabis dependence mediates the relationship between age at cannabis use initiation and cannabis use outcomes during treatment in men but not women. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 218:108383. [PMID: 33183908 PMCID: PMC7750256 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time from first cannabis use to cannabis dependence (latency) may be an important prognostic indicator of cannabis-related problems and treatment outcomes. Gender differences in latency have been found; however, research in this general area is limited. As cannabis use increases and perceived risk declines, a better understanding of how these factors interact in predicting treatment outcomes is critical. METHODS A secondary data analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacotherapy trial for cannabis dependence (N = 302) examined the associations between age of cannabis use onset, time to cannabis dependence (latency), and gender on cannabis use during the trial. Mediation analysis tested whether the association between age of onset and cannabis use during the trial was mediated by latency to cannabis dependence differentially for men and women. RESULTS Age of use initiation was inversely correlated with latency to dependence prior to treatment [HR(95% CI) = 1.18 (1.06, 1.30); p = .002] and cannabis use during treatment (β=-1.27; SE = 0.37; p < .001). There was a significant mediation effect between age of onset, latency, and cannabis use that varied by gender. Earlier age of onset predicted longer latency, and subsequently, greater cannabis use during the trial in men (21.4% mediated; p < .05), but not women. Other substance use, race, and past psychiatric diagnosis did not predict latency either independently or in interaction models. CONCLUSION Findings support existing evidence that early cannabis use onset is associated with worse outcomes and add new knowledge on the differential associations between age of onset, latency to cannabis dependence, and treatment outcomes for men and women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Sherman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Nathaniel L. Baker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Katherine Schmarder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Aimee L. McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Acquisition of remifentanil self-administration: Enhanced in female rats but no effect of adolescent stress exposure. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 199:173038. [PMID: 32910927 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of acquisition have been vital in shaping our understanding of vulnerability factors that influence susceptibility to drugs of abuse. Decades of research substantiates a number of biological, environmental, and behavioral factors that predict vulnerability - many of which have been important in the development of early intervention efforts in humans. The goal of the present study was to examine the acquisition of a synthetic opioid derivative in 66 adult male and female Long-Evans rats following histories of stress exposure during adolescence. Stress-exposed rats were subjected to a mild stress paradigm, which included alternating exposure to synthetic fox feces and physical restraint for eight days. Following stress induction and assessment, all rats were implanted with intravenous catheters in order to self-administer remifentanil (1 μm/kg/infusion) with no prior operant training. Acquisition of remifentanil self-administration was measured over 15 days. Findings indicate that regardless of stress condition, female rats acquired remifentanil self-administration sooner and emitted more active lever presses than males. Stress exposed animals exhibited increased anxiety-like response compared to the control group following exposure to stress, operationalized as decreased exploratory behavior on an Elevated Plus Maze. However, these effects were not expressed as significant differences in self-administration by stress. Together, these findings indicate that sex differences are evident in remifentanil self-administration.
Collapse
|
28
|
Harp SJ, Martini M, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sexual Differentiation and Substance Use: A Mini-Review. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa129. [PMID: 32761086 PMCID: PMC7438703 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The organizational/activational hypothesis suggests that gonadal steroid hormones like testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) are important at 2 different times during the lifespan when they perform 2 different functions. First steroids "organize" brain structures early in life and during puberty, and in adults these same hormones "activate" sexually dimorphic behaviors. This hypothesis has been tested and proven valid for a large number of behaviors (learning, memory, social, and sexual behaviors). Sex differences in drug addiction are well established both for humans and animal models. Previous research in this field has focused primarily on cocaine self-administration by rats. Traditionally, observed sex differences have been explained by the sex-specific concentrations of gonadal hormones present at the time of the drug-related behavior. Studies with gonadectomized rodents establishes an activational role for E2 that facilitates vulnerability in females, and when E2 is combined with progesterone, addiction is attenuated. Literature on organizational actions of steroids is sparse but predicts that T, after it is aromatized to E2, changes aspects of the neural reward system. Here we summarize these data and propose that sex chromosome complement also plays a role in determining sex-specific drug-taking behavior. Future research is needed to disentangle the effects of hormones and sex chromosome complement, and we propose the four core genotype mouse model as an effective tool for answering these questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Harp
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Mariangela Martini
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Cannabis Use as a Risk Factor for Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality: Epidemiological Associations and Implications for Nurses. J Addict Nurs 2020; 31:92-101. [PMID: 32487935 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders commonly co-occur and are major public health concerns given the morbidity and mortality associated with them. Globally, cannabis is among the most commonly used drugs, and cannabis use frequently begins in adolescence or emerging adulthood, both important periods of development and periods in which psychiatric symptoms and disorders frequently emerge. Thus, the relationships between cannabis use and mental illnesses are essential for nurses and other healthcare professionals and researchers to explore and understand. This literature review examines the relationships between cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide. It includes a primer on the neurobiology of cannabis effects; an overview on the epidemiological evidence on the associations between cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide; and a discussion of implications for nurses, particularly important given changes in the medical and recreational cannabis legislation in North America. Overall, this review found consistent evidence showing a cross-sectional association between recreational cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and suicide, despite some limitations and conflicts in the literature. In addition, most evidence from longitudinal or case control studies suggested cannabis use preceded the development of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors, although the quality of this evidence was mixed. Implications for future research and nursing practice are discussed.
Collapse
|
30
|
Sex-related differences in subjective, but not neural, cue-elicited craving response in heavy cannabis users. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 209:107931. [PMID: 32113057 PMCID: PMC8173440 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies indicate that female cannabis users progress through the milestones of cannabis use disorder (CUD) more quickly than male users, likely due to greater subjective craving response in women relative to men. While studies have reported sex-related differences in subjective craving, differences in neural response and the relative contributions of neural and behavioral response remain unclear. METHODS We examined sex-related differences in neural and behavioral response to cannabis cues and cannabis use measures in 112 heavy cannabis users (54 females). We used principal component analysis to determine the relative contributions of neural and behavioral response and cannabis use measures. RESULTS We found that principal component (PC) 1, which accounts for the most variance in the dataset, was correlated with neural response to cannabis cues with no differences between male and female users (p = 0.21). PC2, which accounts for the second-most variance, was correlated with subjective craving such that female users exhibited greater subjective craving relative to male users (p = 0.003). We also found that CUD symptoms correlated with both PC1 and PC2, corroborating the relationship between craving and CUD severity. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that neural activity primarily underlies response to cannabis cues and that a complex relationship characterizes a convergent neural response and a divergent subjective craving response that differs between the sexes. Accounting for these differences will increase efficacy of treatments through personalized approaches.
Collapse
|
31
|
Leichtweis KS, Carvalho M, Morais-Silva G, Marin MT, Amaral VCS. Short and prolonged maternal separation impacts on ethanol-related behaviors in rats: sex and age differences. Stress 2020; 23:162-173. [PMID: 31429361 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1653847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal separation (MS) is an animal model widely used to evaluate the influence of early-life stress exposure on ethanol consumption and dependence. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of brief and prolonged MS on the pattern of consumption and ethanol conditioned place preference (CPP) in male and female rats during adolescence and adulthood. Wistar rat pups were separated daily from their dams for 15 or 180 minutes during the 2 to 10 postnatal days (PND). In adolescence, half of the litter from each group was evaluated in the ethanol consumption test using the three-bottle test choice paradigm. In addition, using biased procedure, ethanol-conditioned place preference was also evaluated. In adulthood, the other half of the litter was evaluated on the same tests. Our results showed that there are differences in consumption pattern and in alcohol reinforcement between males and females, adolescents and adults. While prolonged MS had no effect on total ethanol consumption in adolescents of both sexes, it induced CPP in these animals. In turn, in adults, previous exposure to prolonged MS increased ethanol consumption without altering ethanol-CPP.Lay summaryGiving the importance of the mother-children (dam-pups when talking about rodents) relationship to proper brain development, the separation of pups from their dam is broadly used as an animal model to study the impact of early-life stress exposure. Here, we used a protocol of brief or prolonged maternal separation to study the impact of early-life stress exposure in the alcohol consumption and conditioned place preference in rats, and how age and sex influence it. We showed that, overall, the prolonged maternal separation increased alcohol consumption in both males and females, but only when animals were tested during the adulthood. In the other hand, prolonged maternal separation increased ethanol conditioned place preference in adolescent rats, both male and female.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Souto Leichtweis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Ciências Aplicadas a Produtos para Saúde (PPGCAPS), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Brasil
| | - Marielly Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Ciências Aplicadas a Produtos para Saúde (PPGCAPS), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Brasil
| | - Gessynger Morais-Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araraquara, Brasil
- Programa Interinstitucional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos/Universidade Estadual Paulista (UFSCar/UNESP), São Carlos, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Tadeu Marin
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Araraquara, Brasil
- Programa Interinstitucional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos/Universidade Estadual Paulista (UFSCar/UNESP), São Carlos, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Cristiane Santana Amaral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Ciências Aplicadas a Produtos para Saúde (PPGCAPS), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Brasil
- Campus Anápolis de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas Henrique Santillo (CCET), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Qurishi R, Arts-De Jong M, Buwalda VJA, Hartman L, De Jong CAJ. Premenstrual syndrome as a risk factor for relapse in GHB dependent patients: a case series. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1723725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Qurishi
- Research and Development, Novadic-Kentron Addiction Care Network, Vught, The Netherlands
| | | | - Victor J. A. Buwalda
- Research and Development, Novadic-Kentron Addiction Care Network, Vught, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Hartman
- Research and Development, Novadic-Kentron Addiction Care Network, Vught, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Nawarawong NN, Olsen CM. Within-animal comparisons of novelty and cocaine neuronal ensemble overlap in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Behav Brain Res 2020; 379:112275. [PMID: 31614186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Novelty seeking is a personality trait associated with an increased vulnerability for substance abuse. In rodents, elevated novelty seeking has been shown to be a predictor for elevated drug self-administration and compulsive use. While previous studies have shown that both novelty and drugs of abuse have actions within similar mesocorticolimbic regions, little is known as to whether the same neural ensembles are engaged by these two stimuli. Using the TetTag mouse model and Fos immunohistochemistry, we measured neurons engaged by novelty and acute cocaine exposure, respectively in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). While there was no significant impact of novelty exposure on the size of the EGFP+ ensemble, we found that cocaine engaged significantly more Fos+ neurons in the NAc, while stress increased the size of the Fos+ ensemble in the PFC. Analysis of ensemble reactivation was specific to the emotional valence of the second stimuli. We found that a greater proportion of the EGFP+ ensemble was reactivated in the groups that paired novelty with a positive (cocaine) or neutral (saline) experience in the NAc, while the novelty/stress paired groups exhibited significantly less ensemble overlap in the PFC. However, only in the NAc shell was this increase in ensemble overlap specific to those exposed to both novelty and cocaine. This suggests that the NAc shell, but not the NAc core or PFC, may play an important role in general reward processing by engaging a similar network of neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N Nawarawong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Christopher M Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hanzal N, Joyce K, Tibbo P, Stewart S. A Pilot Daily Diary Study of Changes in Stress and Cannabis Use Quantity Across the Menstrual Cycle. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
35
|
Halladay JE, Boyle MH, Munn C, Jack SM, Georgiades K. Sex Differences in the Association Between Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts, Depression, and Psychological Distress Among Canadians. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2019; 64:345-350. [PMID: 30260680 PMCID: PMC6591888 DOI: 10.1177/0706743718804542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are leading causes of morbidity worldwide. The most commonly used illicit substance is cannabis and there is some evidence that the association between cannabis use and poor mental health is more pronounced among females compared with males. This analysis examines sex differences in the association between cannabis use and major depressive episode (MDE), suicidal thoughts and attempts, and psychological distress. METHODS This study uses data from the 2002 and 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey's Mental Health Component, repeated cross-sectional surveys of nationally representative samples of Canadians 15 years of age and older ( n = 43,466). Linear and binary logistic regressions were performed, applying weighting and bootstrapping. RESULTS There were significant sex differences in the strength of the association between cannabis use and suicidal thoughts and attempts and psychological distress, but not MDE. Females who reported using cannabis occasionally (defined as 1 to 4 times a month) reported higher levels of psychological distress than their male counterparts. Females who reported using regularly (defined as more than once per week) reported higher levels of psychological distress and were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts. CONCLUSIONS Future research is needed to further our understanding of the nature of these sex differences. Public health messaging should incorporate being female as a potential risk factor for the co-occurrence of cannabis use and emotional problems, particularly at higher frequencies of use. Clinicians should also be aware of this association to better inform integrated mental health and substance use screening, discussions, and care, particularly for female patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian E Halladay
- 1 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael H Boyle
- 2 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catharine Munn
- 3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan M Jack
- 4 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, School of Nursing, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katholiki Georgiades
- 5 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, David R. (Dan) Offord Chair in Child Studies, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Dong G, Wang L, Du X, Potenza MN. Gender-related differences in neural responses to gaming cues before and after gaming: implications for gender-specific vulnerabilities to Internet gaming disorder. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2019; 13:1203-1214. [PMID: 30272247 PMCID: PMC6234325 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds More males than females play video games and develop problems with gaming. However, little is known regarding how males and females who game on the Internet may differ with respect to neural responses to gaming cues. Methods Behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were recorded from 40 female and 68 male Internet gamers. This study included three components including participation in a pre-gaming cue-craving task, 30 min of online gaming and a post-gaming cue-elicited-craving task. Group differences were examined at pre-gaming, post-gaming and post- vs pre-gaming times. Correlations between brain responses and behavioral performance were calculated. Results Gaming-related cues elicited higher cravings in male vs female subjects. Prior to gaming, males demonstrated greater activations in the striatum, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), inferior frontal cortex and bilateral declive. Following gaming, male subjects demonstrated greater activations in the medial frontal gyrus and bilateral middle temporal gyri. In a post–pre comparison, male subjects demonstrated greater thalamic activation than did female subjects. Conclusions Short-term gaming elicited in males vs females more craving-related activations to gaming cues. These results suggest neural mechanisms for why males may be more vulnerable than females in developing Internet gaming disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangheng Dong
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lingxiao Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- Department of Physics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Child Study Center, and National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Joyce KM, Hudson A, O’Connor RM, Goldstein AL, Ellery M, McGrath DS, Perrot TS, Stewart SH. Retrospective and prospective assessments of gambling-related behaviors across the female menstrual cycle. J Behav Addict 2019; 8:135-145. [PMID: 30632377 PMCID: PMC7044611 DOI: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite increases in female gambling, little research investigates female-specific factors affecting gambling behavior (GB). Although research suggests that some addictive behaviors may fluctuate across menstrual cycle phase (MCP), gambling requires further investigation. In two studies, we examined associations between MCP and three risky GBs: time spent gambling, money spent gambling, and the probability of consuming alcohol while gambling. Associations between MCP and negative affect were also examined in Study 2. We predicted that, consistent with self-medication theory, increases in negative affect (Study 2) and risky GBs (Studies 1 and 2) would occur premenstrually/menstrually relative to other phases. METHODS Data were obtained from 33 female gamblers using a retrospective timeline followback procedure (Study 1) and from 20 female gamblers using a prospective 32-day, daily diary method (Study 2). In Study 2, salivary progesterone levels verified self-reported MCP validity. RESULTS Findings revealed significant, but somewhat inconsistent, MCP effects on GBs across studies. The self-medication hypothesis was partially supported. Increases relative to another MCP(s) were found for alcohol consumption while gambling premenstrually, time spent gambling menstrually/premenstrually, money spent gambling menstrually, and negative affect premenstrually. Unexpectedly, findings more consistently indicated that GBs increased during ovulation, suggestive of enhanced reward sensitivity. Progesterone assays validated self-reported MCP (Study 2). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a role of ovarian hormones on negative affect and GBs in females. This research could lead to the identification of female-specific factors affecting gambling and the development of more effective interventions for females with, or at risk for, problematic gambling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M. Joyce
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Amanda Hudson
- Department of Psychology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | | | - Abby L. Goldstein
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Ellery
- Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada
| | | | - Tara S. Perrot
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Sherry H. Stewart
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada,Corresponding author: Dr. Sherry H. Stewart; Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Life Sciences Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax NS, PO Box 15000, B3H 4R2, Canada; Phone: +1 902 494 3793; Fax: +1 902 494 6585; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sherman BJ, Caruso MA, McRae-Clark AL. Exogenous progesterone for cannabis withdrawal in women: Feasibility trial of a novel multimodal methodology. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 179:22-26. [PMID: 30711528 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences in cannabis use disorder (CUD) and its treatment have been identified. Women report more severe withdrawal and have shown worse treatment outcomes. Ovarian hormones are implicated in these differences and research suggests that exogenous progesterone may be an effective pharmacotherapy. METHODS The current randomized, placebo-controlled, feasibility trial tested a novel multimodal methodology for administering exogenous progesterone during acute cannabis withdrawal. Eight heavy cannabis using women received micronized progesterone (200 mg bid) (n = 3) or matching placebo (n = 5) during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle over a 5-day study period while abstaining from cannabis. Laboratory visits (days 1 and 5) included biological and self-report assessments, while home-based procedures (days 2-4) included ambulatory assessments, video data capture and tele-drug testing, and biological assessments. Primary outcomes were medication adherence and salivary hormone levels, and the exploratory outcome was cannabis withdrawal severity. RESULTS Medication adherence rates were high as assessed via self-report (100.0%) and video data capture (98.0%). Salivary progesterone levels differed between groups over time (p < 0.027) and the progesterone group achieved levels within the normal range during the luteal phase in healthy adults. All tele-drug tests were negative confirming cannabis abstinence and there was an indication (p = 0.07) of reduced cannabis craving among participants receiving progesterone. CONCLUSION More effective and sex-based treatments for cannabis use disorder are needed. The current study provides a novel multimodal methodology with low participant burden for investigating new medications for cannabis withdrawal. Clinical trials of progesterone for cannabis withdrawal may be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Sherman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical Unviersity of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Margaret A Caruso
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, AL 36849, USA
| | - Aimee L McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical Unviersity of South Carolina, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Dong G, Zheng H, Liu X, Wang Y, Du X, Potenza MN. Gender-related differences in cue-elicited cravings in Internet gaming disorder: The effects of deprivation. J Behav Addict 2018; 7:953-964. [PMID: 30556781 PMCID: PMC6376376 DOI: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online gaming has become a popular leisure activity, in which males more frequently develop Internet gaming disorder (IGD) compared to females. However, gender-related neurocognitive differences have largely not been systematically investigated in IGD. METHODS Cue-elicited-craving tasks were performed before game playing and immediately after deprivation operationalized as a forced break from gaming when the Internet was disconnected. Ninety-nine subjects with IGD (27 males and 22 females) or recreational game use (RGU; 27 males and 23 females) provided functional MRI and subjective data. Analyses investigating effects of group (IGD and RGU) × gender (male and female) at different times (pre-gaming, post-gaming, and post-pre) on cue-elicited craving and brain responses were performed. Correlations between brain responses and subjective measures were calculated. RESULTS In pre-, post-, and post-pre tests, significant gender-by-group interactions (p < .001, cluster size > 15 voxels) were observed in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Further analyses of the DLPFC cluster showed that in post-pre comparisons, results were related to less engagement of the DLPFC in IGD, especially in females. In addition, at post-test, significant interactions were observed in the caudate, as females with IGD showed greater activation as compared to those with RGU. DISCUSSION The results raise the possibility that women with RGU may show better executive control than men when facing gaming cues, which may provide resiliency against developing IGD; however, once they develop IGD, their gaming may impair their executive control and enhance their cravings for gaming, which may make it more difficult to quit gaming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangheng Dong
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, P. R. China,Corresponding authors: Prof. Guangheng Dong, PhD; School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Road, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 321004, P. R. China; Phone: +86 158 6794 9909; Fax: +86 579 8228 2549; E-mail: ; Prof. Marc N. Potenza, PhD, MD; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Phone: +1 203 737 3553; Fax: +1 203 737 3591; E-mail:
| | - Hui Zheng
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyue Liu
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, P. R. China
| | - Yifan Wang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- Department of Physics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA,National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA,Corresponding authors: Prof. Guangheng Dong, PhD; School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Road, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 321004, P. R. China; Phone: +86 158 6794 9909; Fax: +86 579 8228 2549; E-mail: ; Prof. Marc N. Potenza, PhD, MD; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Phone: +1 203 737 3553; Fax: +1 203 737 3591; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Anier K, Urb M, Kipper K, Herodes K, Timmusk T, Zharkovsky A, Kalda A. Cocaine-induced epigenetic DNA modification in mouse addiction-specific and non-specific tissues. Neuropharmacology 2018; 139:13-25. [PMID: 29964092 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine-related DNA methylation studies have primarily focused on the specific brain regions associated with drug addiction (e.g., the nucleus accumbens, NAc). To date, no studies have focused on the complex role of both DNA methylation and demethylation in the mechanisms of psychostimulant-induced addiction in the brain and peripheral tissues. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated cocaine treatment and withdrawal (animals were withdrawn from seven days of repeated injections of cocaine that caused behavioral sensitization) effects on epigenetic DNA modifiers (i.e., DNA methyltransferases, [DNMTs] and ten-eleven translocation enzymes [TETs]) in an addiction-specific brain region (NAc), a structure outside the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (cerebellum, Cer), and in peripheral blood cells (PBCs). Using a mouse behavioral sensitization model, we demonstrated that acute cocaine (AC; 0.5 h) treatment significantly decreased Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Tet1, and Tet2 mRNA levels in the NAc and PBC, whereas at 24 h after AC treatment, Dnmt mRNA expression and enzyme activity levels were significantly increased. Acute procaine treatment caused the opposite effect on the Dnmt3a mRNA level in PBCs; this outcome suggests that the inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels may be the mechanism that alters Dnmt expression in PBCs. Cocaine withdrawal is associated with increased expression of Dnmts in the NAc, Cer and PBCs and the decreased expression of Tet1 and Tet3 in the NAc. Additionally, cocaine withdrawal increased DNMT but decreased TET activity levels, and these changes were associated with enhanced global and selected candidate gene promoter-region DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels in the NAc and PBCs. Together, these data indicate that cocaine treatment and withdrawal affect the expression of epigenetic DNA modifiers in both addiction-specific brain structures and structures outside of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and PBCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Anier
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Mari Urb
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Karin Kipper
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Koit Herodes
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Alexander Zharkovsky
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Anti Kalda
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lombardo JP, Peck JA. Effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls during different periods of development on ethanol consumption by male and female rats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 236:334-342. [PMID: 29414356 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In two experiments, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) to assess the effect PCBs, an estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EEDC), would have on the voluntary consumption of alcohol. There are several EEDCs in our food that are known to increase estrogen in adolescent females. Our objective was to assess the effect that increasing estrogen, by adding the EEDC PCBs would have on volitional intake of alcohol. In Experiment 1, pregnant dams were exposed from gestational days 5-19 to a 1:1 mixture of Aroclor 1254/1260. In Experiment 2, lactating females were exposed to the same dose of 1254:1260 from postnatal days 1-21. In both experiments, a fade-in procedure was used to gradually introduce the rats to the taste of alcohol. At the end of the fade-in series all animals were given limited access (1 h/day) to a water/alcohol solution. We found that females exposed to PCBs, at two developmental periods, consumed significantly more alcohol than unexposed females and exposed and unexposed males. Results of the experiments are discussed in terms of how PCB exposure can disrupt endocrine processes (e.g., estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals, EEDC) that increase estrogen in females, thereby leading to increased alcohol consumption. Thus, the present findings suggest that EEDCs, such as PCBs, could contribute to the increase abuse of alcohol in adolescent females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua A Peck
- State University of New York College at Cortland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Role of Exogenous Progesterone in the Treatment of Men and Women with Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review. CNS Drugs 2018; 32:421-435. [PMID: 29761343 PMCID: PMC6235727 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0525-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain problematic as many individuals are untreated or do not benefit from the currently available interventions. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel pharmacological interventions to treat SUDs. Evidence suggests that the female sex hormone, progesterone, attenuates the craving for and the euphoric effects of drugs of abuse. Research to date has demonstrated that progesterone may modulate responses to drugs of abuse and may have utility as a novel treatment for SUDs. A literature search was conducted to identify and examine studies that administered exogenous progesterone. Sixteen publications were identified, exploring the utility of exogenous progesterone or its metabolite, allopregnanolone, among a range of substances, including amphetamines (one study), benzodiazepines (one study), cocaine (nine studies), and tobacco/nicotine (five studies). Results indicated that exogenous progesterone and, its metabolite allopregnanolone, demonstrated preliminary efficacy as a treatment for substance use in both men and women. Notably, progesterone appears to target negative affect and augment cognitive functioning, especially among female substance users. Additional research is needed to explore the potential use of exogenous progesterone and allopregnanolone in the treatment of SUDs, including that associated with alcohol and opioids, but considering the current promising findings, exogenous progesterone and allopregnanolone may have utility as novel pharmacological treatments for SUDs.
Collapse
|
43
|
Rivera HM, Stincic TL. Estradiol and the control of feeding behavior. Steroids 2018; 133:44-52. [PMID: 29180290 PMCID: PMC5864536 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This review lays out the evidence for the role of E2 in homeostatic and hedonic feeding across several species. While significant effort has been expended on homeostatic feeding research, more studies for hedonic feeding need to be conducted (i.e. are there increases in meal size and enhanced motivation to natural food rewards). By identifying the underlying neural circuitry involved, one can better delineate the mechanisms by which E2 influences feeding behavior. By utilizing more selective neural targeting techniques, such as optogenetics, significant progress can be made toward this goal. Together, behavioral and physiological techniques will help us to better understand neural deficits that can increase the risk for obesity in the absence of E2 (menopause) and aid in developing therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H M Rivera
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - T L Stincic
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Tonn Eisinger KR, Larson EB, Boulware MI, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Membrane estrogen receptor signaling impacts the reward circuitry of the female brain to influence motivated behaviors. Steroids 2018; 133:53-59. [PMID: 29195840 PMCID: PMC5864533 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Within the adult female, estrogen signaling is well-described as an integral component of the physiologically significant hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In rodents, the timing of ovulation is intrinsically entwined with the display of sexual receptivity. For decades, the importance of estradiol activating intracellular estrogen receptors within the hypothalamus and midbrain/spinal cord lordosis circuits has been appreciated. These signaling pathways primarily account for the ability of the female to reproduce. Yet, often overlooked is that the desire to reproduce is also tightly regulated by estrogen receptor signaling. This lack of emphasis can be attributed to an absence of nuclear estrogen receptors in brain regions associated with reward, such as the nucleus accumbens, which are associated with motivated behaviors. This review outlines how membrane-localized estrogen receptors affect metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling within the rodent nucleus accumbens. In addition, we discuss how, as estrogens drive increased motivation for reproduction, they also produce the untoward side effect of heightening female vulnerability to drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Tonn Eisinger
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Erin B Larson
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marissa I Boulware
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mark J Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Papaseit E, Torrens M, Pérez-Mañá C, Muga R, Farré M. Key interindividual determinants in MDMA pharmacodynamics. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2018; 14:183-195. [DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2018.1424832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Papaseit
- Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol-IGTP, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - M. Torrens
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- Drug Addiction Program, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions-INAD, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C. Pérez-Mañá
- Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol-IGTP, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - R. Muga
- Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol-IGTP, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - M. Farré
- Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol-IGTP, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology and Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Becker JB, McClellan ML, Reed BG. Sex differences, gender and addiction. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:136-147. [PMID: 27870394 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses alcohol and other forms of drug addiction as both a sociocultural and biological phenomenon. Sex differences and gender are not solely determined by biology, nor are they entirely sociocultural. The interactions among biological, environmental, sociocultural, and developmental influences result in phenotypes that may be more masculine or more feminine. These gender-related sex differences in the brain can influence the responses to drugs of abuse, progressive changes in the brain after exposure to drugs of abuse and whether addiction results from drug-taking experiences. In addition, the basic laboratory evidence for sex differences is discussed within the context of four types of sex/gender differences. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jill B Becker
- Department of Psychology and the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Michele L McClellan
- Department of History and the Residential College, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Beth Glover Reed
- School of Social Work and the Department of Women's Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abreu-Villaça Y, Manhães AC, Krahe TE, Filgueiras CC, Ribeiro-Carvalho A. Tobacco and alcohol use during adolescence: Interactive mechanisms in animal models. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 144:1-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.06.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
48
|
Riley AL, Hempel BJ, Clasen MM. Sex as a biological variable: Drug use and abuse. Physiol Behav 2017; 187:79-96. [PMID: 29030249 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The study of sex as a biological variable is a necessary emphasis across a wide array of endpoints, including basic neuroscience, medicine, mental health, physiology and behavior. The present review summarizes work from clinical and preclinical populations on sex differences in drug use and abuse, ranging from initiation to escalation/dysregulation and from drug cessation/abstinence to relapse. These differences are analyzed in the context of the addiction cycle conceptualization of Koob and his colleagues and address patterns of drug use (binge/intoxication), motivation underlying its use (withdrawal/negative affect) and likelihood and causes of craving and relapse of drug taking (preoccupation/anticipation). Following this overview, an assessment of the basis for the reported sex differences is discussed in the context of the affective (rewarding and aversive) properties of drugs of abuse and how such properties and their balance vary with sex and contribute to drug intake. Finally, the interaction of sex with several experiential (drug history) and subject (age) factors and how these interactions affect reward and aversion are discussed to highlight the importance of understanding such interactions in predicting drug use and abuse. We note that sex as a biological variable remains one of critical evaluation and that such investigations of sex differences in drug use and abuse continue and be expanded to assess all facets of their mediation, including these affective properties, how their balance may be impacted by the multiple conditions under which drugs are taken and how this overall balance affects drug use and addiction vulnerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA.
| | - Briana J Hempel
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
| | - Matthew M Clasen
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Women exhibit more rapid escalation from casual drug taking to addiction, exhibit a greater withdrawal response with abstinence, and tend to exhibit greater vulnerability than men in terms of treatment outcome. In rodents, short-term estradiol intake in female rats enhances acquisition and escalation of drug taking, motivation for drugs of abuse, and relapse-like behaviors. There is also a sex difference in the dopamine response in the nucleus accumbens. Ovariectomized female rats exhibit a smaller initial dopamine increase after cocaine treatment than castrated males. Estradiol treatment of ovariectomized female rats enhances stimulated dopamine release in the dorsolateral striatum, but not in the nucleus accumbens, resulting in a sex difference in the balance between these two dopaminergic projections. In the situation where drug-taking behavior becomes habitual, dopamine release has been reported to be enhanced in the dorsolateral striatum and attenuated in the nucleus accumbens. The sex difference in the balance between these neural systems is proposed to underlie sex differences in addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jill B Becker
- Department of Psychology, Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Shalit N, Shoval G, Shlosberg D, Feingold D, Lev-Ran S. The association between cannabis use and suicidality among men and women: A population-based longitudinal study. J Affect Disord 2016; 205:216-224. [PMID: 27449554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence regarding the role of sex differences in the association between cannabis use and suicidality is lacking. We explored sex differences in the bidirectional association between cannabis use and suicidality in a 3-year longitudinal study. METHODS Data were drawn from waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Bidirectional analyses were conducted separately by sex, exploring incidence of suicidality among cannabis users (n=963 vs. 30,586 non-users) as well as initiation of cannabis use among suicidal individuals (n=1805 vs. 25,729 non-suicidal). Cannabis use was categorized based on frequency of use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for multiple covariates were conducted. RESULTS Cannabis use was significantly associated with increased incidence of suicidality among men (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] for any cannabis use =1.91[1.02-3.56]) but not among women (AOR=1.19[0.64-2.20]). Daily cannabis use was significantly associated with increased incidence of suicidality among men (AOR=4.28[1.32-13.82]) but not among women (AOR=0.75[0.28-2.05]). Conversely, baseline suicidality was associated with initiation of cannabis use among women (AOR=2.34[1.42-3.87]) but not among men (AOR=1.10[0.57-2.15]). Separate analyses of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts demonstrated a significant association between cannabis use and subsequent incidence of suicidal ideation in men, and a significant association between baseline suicidal ideation and subsequent initiation of cannabis use in women. No significant association was found for the bidirectional association between cannabis use and suicide attempts in either sex. LIMITATIONS Suicidality was assessed only in individuals reporting depressed mood and/or anhedonia. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a longitudinal association between heavy cannabis use and the incidence of suicidality in men, but not in women. Conversely, baseline suicidality is longitudinally associated with the initiation of cannabis use in women, but not in men. This may have implications on clinical and social aspects of cannabis use and merit further research into the unique effects of sex differences on cannabis induced psychopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Shalit
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Gal Shoval
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Dan Shlosberg
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Daniel Feingold
- Ariel University, Ariel, Israel; Addiction Medicine Services, Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Shaul Lev-Ran
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Addiction Medicine Services, Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| |
Collapse
|