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Zhuang L, Gao W, Chen Y, Fang W, Lo H, Dai X, Zhang J, Chen W, Ye Q, Chen X, Zhang J. LHPP in Glutamatergic Neurons of the Ventral Hippocampus Mediates Depression-like Behavior by Dephosphorylating CaMKIIα and ERK. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:389-402. [PMID: 37678540 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LHPP was recently shown to be a risk gene for major depressive disorder. LHPP has been proven to dephosphorylate the residues of histidine, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. However, much remains unknown about how LHPP contributes to depression. METHODS In the current study, we addressed this issue by integrating approaches of genetics, molecular biology, behavioral testing, and electrophysiology. RESULTS We found that levels of LHPP were upregulated in glutamatergic neurons of the ventral hippocampus in mice that displayed stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Knockout of LHPP in glutamatergic neurons of the brain improved the spontaneous activity of LHPPflox/flox·CaMKIIαCre+ (conditional knockout) mice. Adeno-associated virus-mediated LHPP knockdown in the ventral hippocampus enhanced resistance against chronic social defeat stress in mice. Manipulations of LHPP levels impacted the density of dendritic spines and excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons by mediating the expressions of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and PSD95 via the modulation of the dephosphorylation of CaMKIIα and ERK. Notably, compared with wild-type LHPP, human mutant LHPP (E56K, S57L) significantly increased the activity of the CaMKIIα/ERK-BDNF/PSD95 signaling pathway. Finally, esketamine, not fluoxetine, markedly alleviated the LHPP upregulation-induced depression-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence that LHPP contributes to the pathogenesis of depression via threonine and serine hydrolases, thereby identifying LHPP as a potential therapeutic target in treating patients with major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvping Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Weijie Gao
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Institute of Neurosciences, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Wenting Fang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hsuan Lo
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoman Dai
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Institute of Neurosciences, Xiamen University Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Wanjing Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qinyong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaochun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Piva A, Rizzi B, Fumagalli F, Chiamulera C. Temporal dynamics of BDNF signaling recruitment in the rat prefrontal cortex and hippocampus following a single infusion of a translational dose of ketamine. Neuropharmacology 2024; 242:109767. [PMID: 37858883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite several decades of investigations, the mechanisms underlying the rapid action of ketamine as antidepressant are still far from being completely understood. Several studies indicated Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as critical for the fast antidepressant action of ketamine, due to its contribution in early and rapid synaptic adaptations. However, previous reports have been essentially based on ketamine dosing modes that differ from the clinical route of administration (slow intravenous infusion). In this report, we investigated the effects of a ketamine dosing mode in male Sprague-Dawley rats showed to be translational to the clinically effective mode in patients. We focused on the first 24 h after infusion to finely dissect potential differences in the contribution of BDNF signaling pathway in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, two brain regions involved in the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Our data show that the slow ketamine infusion activates the BDNF-mTOR-S6 pathway in prefrontal cortex as early as 2 h and remains on until at least 6 h after the infusion. At the 12 h timepoint, this pathway is turned off in prefrontal cortex while it becomes activated in hippocampus. Interestingly, this pathway appears to be activated in both brain regions at 24 h through a BDNF-independent mechanism adding complexity to the early action of ketamine. We have captured previously unknown dynamics of the early effects of ketamine showing rapid activation/deactivation of BDNF and its downstream signaling in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, following a precise temporal profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piva
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Dept Diagnostic & Public Health, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Beatrice Rizzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiano Chiamulera
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Dept Diagnostic & Public Health, P.le Scuro 10, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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3
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Deng L, Wu L, Gao R, Xu X, Chen C, Liu J. Non-Opioid Anesthetics Addiction: A Review of Current Situation and Mechanism. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1259. [PMID: 37759860 PMCID: PMC10526861 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091259] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is one of the major worldwide health problems, which will have serious adverse consequences on human health and significantly burden the social economy and public health. Drug abuse is more common in anesthesiologists than in the general population because of their easier access to controlled substances. Although opioids have been generally considered the most commonly abused drugs among anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, the abuse of non-opioid anesthetics has been increasingly severe in recent years. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the clinical situation and potential molecular mechanisms of non-opioid anesthetics addiction. This review incorporates the clinical and biomolecular evidence supporting the abuse potential of non-opioid anesthetics and the foreseeable mechanism causing the non-opioid anesthetics addiction phenotypes, promoting a better understanding of its pathogenesis and helping to find effective preventive and curative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lining Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.D.); (L.W.); (R.G.); (X.X.); (J.L.)
- The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Hsiao YC, Lee MY, Chan MH, Chen HH. NMDA Receptor Glycine Binding Site Modulators for Prevention and Treatment of Ketamine Use Disorder. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:812. [PMID: 37375760 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ketamine offers a fast-acting approach to relieving treatment-resistant depression, but its abuse potential is an issue of concern. As ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) ion channel blocker, modulation of NMDAR might be an effective strategy to counteract the abuse liability of ketamine and even to treat ketamine use disorder. This study evaluated whether NMDAR modulators that act on glycine binding sites can decrease motivation to obtain ketamine and reduce reinstatement to ketamine-seeking behavior. Two NMDAR modulators, D-serine and sarcosine were examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent training to acquire the ability to self-administer ketamine. The motivation to self-administer ketamine or sucrose pellets was examined under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule. The reinstatement of ketamine-seeking and sucrose pellet-seeking behaviors were assessed after extinction. The results showed that both D-serine and sarcosine significantly decreased the breakpoints for ketamine and prevented reinstatement of ketamine seeking. However, these modulators did not alter motivated behavior for sucrose pellets, the ability of the cue and sucrose pellets to reinstate sucrose-seeking behavior or spontaneous locomotor activity. These findings indicate that two NMDAR modulators can specifically reduce the measures of motivation and relapse for ketamine in rats, suggesting that targeting the glycine binding site of the NMDAR is a promising approach for preventing and treating ketamine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chin Hsiao
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yi Lee
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Huan Chan
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, 64, Sec. 2, ZhiNan Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City 11605, Taiwan
- Research Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Chengchi University, 64, Sec. 2, ZhiNan Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City 11605, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Hsien Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, 64, Sec. 2, ZhiNan Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City 11605, Taiwan
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5
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Liu B, Du Y, Xu C, Liu Q, Zhang L. Antidepressant effects of repeated s-ketamine administration as NMDAR Antagonist: Involvement of CaMKIIα and mTOR signaling in the hippocampus of CUMS mice. Brain Res 2023; 1811:148375. [PMID: 37146745 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With the approval of s-ketamine nasal spray as a novel antidepressant, its robust antidepressant effects have been intensively examined in clinical trials. However, the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of repeated intermittent drug administration remain unclear. In the present study, we applied a classic chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model to induce depressive-like behaviors of mice and evaluated the role of repeated s-ketamine administration (10 mg/kg, 7 consecutive days) in ameliorating depressive-like behaviors and modulating related molecular pathways. A battery of behavioral tests were performed to assess CUMS-induced depression. The protein expressions of GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B, GluR1, CaMKIIα, phosphorylated CaMKIIα (p-CaMKIIα), BDNF, TrkB, phosphorylated TrkB (p-TrkB), mTOR, and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) as well as modification of synaptic ultrastructure was identified in hippocampal tissues. It turned out that s-ketamine manifested evident antidepressant effects with improved synaptic plasticity. Meanwhile, the results suggested that s-ketamine could differentially modulate glutamate receptors with upregulated GluN1 and GluR1 levels and downregulated GluN2B levels. CUMS-induced elevation of CaMKIIα phosphorylation and decline of BDNF, TrkB phosphorylation and mTOR could also be reversed through s-ketamine treatment. Together, our study provided evidence that selectively modulated glutamate receptors as well as CaMKIIα and mTOR signaling were involved in repeated s-ketamine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingzhen Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lidong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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6
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Carnosic Acid Attenuates AβOs-Induced Apoptosis and Synaptic Impairment via Regulating NMDAR2B and Its Downstream Cascades in SH-SY5Y Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:133-144. [PMID: 36224322 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03032-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal death and synaptic loss are principal pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) constitute the main neurotoxin underscoring AD pathology. AβOs interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), resulting in neurotoxic events, including activation of apoptosis and synaptic impairment. Carnosic acid (CA), extracted from Salvia rosmarinus, has been verified its neuroprotective effects in AD. However, the precise mechanisms by which CA induces synaptic protection remain unclear. In this study, we established an in vitro AD model using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. We observed that CA improved neuronal survival by suppressing apoptosis. Moreover, CA restored synaptic impairments by increasing expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin (Syn). Furthermore, we found these protective effects were dependent on inhibiting the phosphorylation of NMDAR subtype 2B (NMDAR2B), which further suppressed calcium overload and promoted activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway. Administration of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), an agonist of NMDARs, abolished these effects of CA. Our findings demonstrate that CA exerts neuroprotective effects in an in vitro model of AD by regulating NMDAR2B and its downstream cascades, highlighting the therapeutic potential of CA as a NMDARs-targeted candidate in the treatment of AD.
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7
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Mottarlini F, Rizzi B, Targa G, Fumagalli F, Caffino L. Long-lasting BDNF signaling alterations in the amygdala of adolescent female rats exposed to the activity-based anorexia model. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1087075. [PMID: 36570702 PMCID: PMC9772010 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1087075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by a pathological fear of gaining weight, excessive physical exercise, and emotional instability. Since the amygdala is a key region for emotion processing and BDNF has been shown to play a critical role in this process, we hypothesized that alteration in the amygdalar BDNF system might underline vulnerability traits typical of AN patients. Methods: To this end, adolescent female rats have been exposed to the Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) protocol, characterized by the combination of caloric restriction and intense physical exercise. Results: The induction of the anorexic phenotype caused hyperactivity and body weight loss in ABA animals. These changes were paralleled by amygdalar hyperactivation, as measured by the up-regulation of cfos mRNA levels. In the acute phase of the pathology, we observed reduced Bdnf exon IX, exon IV, and exon VI gene expression, while mBDNF protein levels were enhanced, an increase that was, instead, uncoupled from its downstream signaling as the phosphorylation of TrkB, Akt, and S6 in ABA rats were reduced. Despite the body weight recovery observed 7 days later, the BDNF-mediated signaling was still downregulated at this time point. Discussion: Our findings indicate that the BDNF system is downregulated in the amygdala of adolescent female rats under these experimental conditions, which mimic the anorexic phenotype in humans, pointing to such dysregulation as a potential contributor to the altered emotional processing observed in AN patients. In addition, since the modulation of BDNF levels is observed in other psychiatric conditions, the persistent AN-induced changes of the BDNF system in the amygdala might contribute to explaining the onset of comorbid psychiatric disorders that persist in patients even beyond recovery from AN.
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Li F, Qiao Y, Chen Y, Li N, Yang M, Li X, Qiu Y, Cui W, Shen H, Xu P, Di B. N-Ethylnorketamine has anesthetic and analgesic effects with abuse liability. Behav Brain Res 2022; 435:114052. [PMID: 35952778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114052] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Arylcyclohexylamines is an ever-growing class of new psychoactive substances, including an increasing number of ketamine analogs. N-Ethylnorketamine (NENK) is a new synthetic ketamine analog that has emerged as an abused drug, but little is known about the pharmacological profile of NENK. In this study, we investigated the anesthetic and analgesic activity, abuse liability of NENK compared with ketamine. The ED50 values of anesthetic activity for NENK and ketamine were 96.9, 69.4 mg/kg, respectively. The ED50 values of analgesic activity for NENK and ketamine were 45.9 and 23.6 mg/kg, respectively. NENK induced significant conditioned place preference at a minimum dose of 10.0 mg/kg in mice, an effect comparable to that of ketamine (3.0 mg/kg). Acute injections of NENK or ketamine at 30.0 mg/kg enhanced locomotor activity, and repeated treatments with this dose induced locomotor sensitization after withdrawal. Taken together, these results clearly demonstrated that NENK has lower anesthetic and analgesic activity compared to ketamine, but has significant abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yanling Qiao
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Nan Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Mengxiang Yang
- Faculty of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Yi Qiu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Wei Cui
- Faculty of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Haowei Shen
- Faculty of Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Peng Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China; Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring and Control, Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China.
| | - Bin Di
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, PR China; Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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Caffino L, Moro F, Mottarlini F, Targa G, Di Clemente A, Toia M, Orrù A, Giannotti G, Fumagalli F, Cervo L. Repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence enhances the rewarding threshold for cocaine-conditioned place preference in adulthood. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13012. [PMID: 33511707 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that adolescent exposure to cocaine increases drug use in adulthood, albeit incubation of cocaine seeking was found to be attenuated in rats trained to self-administer cocaine during adolescence. We here hypothesize that adolescent exposure to cocaine could alter the rewarding properties of the psychostimulant in adulthood. By employing two of the most widely used animal-experimental-preclinical models to investigate drug addiction, we evaluated whether contingent versus non-contingent cocaine self-administration during adolescence modulates its rewarding threshold in adulthood evaluated by conditioned place preference (CPP). Cocaine self-administration during adolescence increases the rewarding threshold in adulthood; CPP for cocaine was observed at the higher (20 mg/kg), but not at the lower (10 mg/kg), dose employed. Rats exposed to either contingent or non-contingent cocaine during adolescence exhibited the same behavior in the CPP paradigm suggesting that, under our experimental conditions, cocaine rewarding properties are shaped by the psychostimulant itself and not by its motivational effects. From a mechanistic standpoint, the preference for the 20 mg/kg cocaine-paired side in a CPP paradigm appears to depend, at least partially, upon the formation of GluA2-lacking Ca2+ -permeable AMPA receptors and the consequent increase of αCaMKII activity in the NAc, both of which are instead reduced when the 10 mg/kg dose was used. In conclusion, contingent or non-contingent cocaine exposure during adolescence desensitizes adult animals to a rewarding dose of cocaine (10 mg/kg) elevating the rewarding threshold necessary (20 mg/kg) to drive conditioned place preference, an effect that may predispose to higher consumption of cocaine during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Italy
| | - Federico Moro
- Experimental Psychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Italy
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Italy
| | - Angelo Di Clemente
- Experimental Psychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS Italy
| | - Marianna Toia
- Experimental Psychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS Italy
| | - Alessandro Orrù
- Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sardegna Institute of Translational Pharmacology (C.N.R.) Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannotti
- Department of Anesthesiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Italy
| | - Luigi Cervo
- Experimental Psychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCS Italy
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10
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Piva A, Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Pintori N, Castillo Díaz F, Fumagalli F, Chiamulera C. Metaplastic Effects of Ketamine and MK-801 on Glutamate Receptors Expression in Rat Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3443-3456. [PMID: 33723767 PMCID: PMC8257545 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02352-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine and MK-801 by blocking NMDA receptors may induce reinforcing effects as well as schizophrenia-like symptoms. Recent results showed that ketamine can also effectively reverse depressive signs in patients' refractory to standard therapies. This evidence clearly points to the need of characterization of effects of these NMDARs antagonists on relevant brain areas for mood disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular changes occurring at glutamatergic synapses 24 h after ketamine or MK-801 treatment in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (Hipp). In particular, we analyzed the levels of the glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors subunits, and related scaffolding proteins. In the homogenate, we found a general decrease of protein levels, whereas their changes in the post-synaptic density were more complex. In fact, ketamine in the mPFC decreased the level of GLT-1 and increased the level of GluN2B, GluA1, GluA2, and scaffolding proteins, likely indicating a pattern of enhanced excitability. On the other hand, MK-801 only induced sparse changes with apparently no correlation to functional modification. Differently from mPFC, in Hipp, both substances reduced or caused no changes of glutamate receptors and scaffolding proteins expression. Ketamine decreased NMDA receptors while increased AMPA receptors subunit ratios, an effect indicative of permissive metaplastic modulation; conversely, MK-801 only decreased the latter, possibly representing a blockade of further synaptic plasticity. Taken together, these findings indicate a fine tuning of glutamatergic synapses by ketamine compared to MK-801 both in the mPFC and Hipp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Piva
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Department Diagnostic & Public Health, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, P.le Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Department Diagnostic & Public Health, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, P.le Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Fernando Castillo Díaz
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristiano Chiamulera
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Department Diagnostic & Public Health, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, P.le Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
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11
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Ketamine Induces Lasting Antidepressant Effects by Modulating the NMDAR/CaMKII-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Depressive Stroke Model. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:6635084. [PMID: 33981335 PMCID: PMC8088363 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6635084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ketamine has been shown to possess lasting antidepressant properties. However, studies of the mechanisms involved in its effects on poststroke depression are nonexistent. Methods To investigate these mechanisms, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single local dose of ketamine after middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredicted mild stress. The effects on the hippocampal dentate gyrus were analyzed through assessment of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (NMDAR/CaMKII) pathway, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral tests. Results Ketamine administration rapidly exerted significant and lasting improvements of depressive symptoms. The biochemical analysis showed rapid, selective upregulation and downregulation of the NMDAR2-β and NMDAR2-α subtypes as well as their downstream signaling proteins β-CaMKII and α-phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus, respectively. Furthermore, the colocalization analysis indicated a significant and selectively increased conjunction of β-CaMKII and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) coupled with a notable decrease in NMDAR2-β association with PSD95 after ketamine treatment. These changes translated into significant and extended synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus. Conclusions These findings not only suggest that ketamine represents a viable candidate for the treatment of poststroke depression but also that ketamine's lasting antidepressant effects might be achieved through modulation of NMDAR/CaMKII-induced synaptic plasticity in key brain regions.
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12
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The Role of CaMKII and ERK Signaling in Addiction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063189. [PMID: 33804804 PMCID: PMC8004038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine is the predominant addictive compound of tobacco and causes the acquisition of dependence through its interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and various neurotransmitter releases in the central nervous system. The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) play a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. CaMKII is involved in long-term potentiation induction, which underlies the consolidation of learning and memory; however, the roles of CaMKII in nicotine and other psychostimulant-induced addiction still require further investigation. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms and crucial roles of CaMKII and ERK in nicotine and other stimulant drug-induced addiction. We also discuss dopamine (DA) receptor signaling involved in nicotine-induced addiction in the brain reward circuitry. In the last section, we introduce the association of polyunsaturated fatty acids and cellular chaperones of fatty acid-binding protein 3 in the context of nicotine-induced addiction in the mouse nucleus accumbens and provide a novel target for the treatment of drug abuse affecting dopaminergic systems.
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13
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Strong CE, Kabbaj M. Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Rewarding and Therapeutic Effects of Ketamine as a Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:593860. [PMID: 33362485 PMCID: PMC7759199 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.593860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder and causes a significant global burden. Relapse rates remain incredibly high after decades of attempting to develop novel treatment options that have failed to produce increased rates of sobriety. Ketamine has emerged as a potential treatment for AUD following its success as a therapeutic agent for depression, demonstrated by several preclinical studies showing that acute administration reduced alcohol intake in rodents. As such, ketamine's therapeutic effects for AUD are now being investigated in clinical trials with the hope of it being efficacious in prolonging sobriety from alcohol in humans (ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01558063). Importantly, ketamine's antidepressant effects only last for about 1-week and because AUD is a lifelong disorder, repeated treatment regimens would be necessary to maintain sobriety. This raises questions regarding its safety for AUD treatment since ketamine itself has the potential for addiction. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the neuroadaptations related to alcohol's addictive properties as well as ketamine's therapeutic and addictive properties. To do this, the focus will be on reward-related brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and ventral tegmental area (VTA) to understand how acute vs. chronic exposure will alter reward signaling over time. Additionally, evidence from these studies will be summarized in both male and female subjects. Accordingly, this review aims to address the safety of repeated ketamine infusions for the treatment of AUD. Although more work about the safety of ketamine to treat AUD is warranted, we hope this review sheds light on some answers about the safety of repeated ketamine infusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Strong
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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14
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Activity-Based Anorexia Dynamically Dysregulates the Glutamatergic Synapse in the Nucleus Accumbens of Female Adolescent Rats. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12123661. [PMID: 33260714 PMCID: PMC7760003 DOI: 10.3390/nu12123661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intense physical activity and dieting are core symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN). Their combination evolves into compulsivity, leading the patient into an out-of-control spiral. AN patients exhibit an altered activation of nucleus accumbens (NAc), revealing a dysfunctional mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry in AN. Since evidence exists that a dysregulation of the glutamate system in the NAc influences reward and taking advantage of the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model, which closely mimics the hallmarks of AN, we investigated the involvement of the glutamatergic signaling in the NAc in this experimental model. We here demonstrate that food restriction causes hyperactive and compulsive behavior in rodents, inducing an escalation of physical activity, which results in dramatic weight loss. Analysis of the glutamate system revealed that, in the acute phase of the pathology, ABA rats increased the membrane expression of GluA1 AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor subunits together with its scaffolding protein SAP97. Recovery of body weight reduced GluN2A/2B balance together with the expression of their specific scaffolding proteins, thus suggesting persistent maladaptive neurotransmission. Taken together, AMPA and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor subunit reorganization may play a role in the motivational mechanisms underlying AN.
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15
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Chiamulera C, Piva A, Abraham WC. Glutamate receptors and metaplasticity in addiction. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 56:39-45. [PMID: 33128937 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic drug use is a neuroadaptive disorder characterized by strong and persistent plasticity in the mesocorticolimbic reward system. Long-lasting effects of drugs of abuse rely on their ability to hijack glutamate receptor activity and long-term synaptic plasticity processes like long-term potentiation and depression. Importantly, metaplasticity-based modulation of synaptic plasticity contributes to durable neurotransmission changes in mesocorticolimbic pathways including the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens, causing 'maladaptive' drug memory and higher risk for drug-seeking relapse. On the other hand, drug-induced metaplasticity can make appetitive memories more malleable to modification, offering a potential target mechanism for intervention. Here we review the literature on the role of glutamate receptors in addiction-related metaplasticity phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Chiamulera
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Department Diagnostic & Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Piva
- Neuropsychopharmacology Lab, Section Pharmacology, Department Diagnostic & Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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16
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Brakatselos C, Delis F, Asprogerakas MZ, Lekkas P, Tseti I, Tzimas PS, Petrakis EA, Halabalaki M, Skaltsounis LA, Antoniou K. Cannabidiol Modulates the Motor Profile and NMDA Receptor-related Alterations Induced by Ketamine. Neuroscience 2020; 454:105-115. [PMID: 32950556 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.029] [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: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-addictive ingredient of cannabis with antipsychotic potential, while ketamine (KET), an uncompetitive NMDA receptor inhibitor, has been extensively used as a psychotomimetic. Only few studies have focused on the role of CBD on the KET-induced motor profile, while no study has investigated the impact of CBD on KET-induced alterations in NMDA receptor subunit expression and ERK phosphorylation state, in brain regions related to the neurobiology and treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of CBD on KET-induced motor response and relevant glutamatergic signaling in the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. The present study demonstrated that CBD pre-administration did not reverse KET-induced short-lasting hyperactivity, but it prolonged it over time. CBD alone decreased motor activity at the highest dose tested (30 mg/kg) while KET increased motor activity at the higher doses (30, 60 mg/kg). Moreover, KET induced regionally-dependent alterations in NR1 and NR2B expression and ERK phosphorylation that were reversed by CBD pre-administration. Interestingly, in the nucleus accumbens KET per se reduced NR2B and p-ERK levels, while the CBD/KET combination increased NR2B and p-ERK levels, as compared to control. This study is the first to show that CBD prolongs KET-induced motor stimulation and restores KET-induced effects on glutamatergic signaling and neuroplasticity-related markers. These findings contribute to the understanding of CBD effects on the behavioral and neurobiological profiles of psychotogenic KET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Brakatselos
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Foteini Delis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Michail-Zois Asprogerakas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Lekkas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioulia Tseti
- INTERMED: Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ioulia and Eirini Tseti, Kaliftaki 27, 14564 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros S Tzimas
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios A Petrakis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros A Skaltsounis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
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17
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Piva A, Caffino L, Padovani L, Pintori N, Mottarlini F, Sferrazza G, Paolone G, Fumagalli F, Chiamulera C. The metaplastic effects of ketamine on sucrose renewal and contextual memory reconsolidation in rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 379:112347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Sex and Individual Differences in Alcohol Intake Are Associated with Differences in Ketamine Self-Administration Behaviors and Nucleus Accumbens Dendritic Spine Density. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0221-19.2019. [PMID: 31740575 PMCID: PMC6893233 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0221-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has promising therapeutic value for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, the maintenance of remission will ultimately require repeated infusions of ketamine, which may lead to abuse potential and may hinder its therapeutic benefits. It is therefore crucial to assess the effects of repeated treatments with ketamine on alcohol intake. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine in both sexes how individual differences in alcohol intake alter ketamine self-administration and how ketamine self-administration will alter subsequent alcohol-drinking behaviors. Male and female rats intermittently drank alcohol or water for 10 weeks and were divided into high- or low-alcohol intake groups prior to ketamine self-administration. Rats self-administered ketamine under fixed and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement from week 4 to 7, and the incubation of ketamine craving was examined from week 8 to 10. To investigate structural plasticity in a brain region involved in reward, nucleus accumbens dendritic spine morphology was examined. Our results show that high alcohol intake in male rats attenuated ketamine self-administration, whereas in female rats high alcohol intake enhanced motivation to self-administer ketamine. Ketamine reduced alcohol intake in high-alcohol male rats but increased it in low-alcohol female rats. Incubation of ketamine craving developed in all groups except low-alcohol females. Three weeks of abstinence from ketamine was associated with increased mushroom spines in all groups except the high-alcohol male group. Overall, these data suggest that ketamine as a treatment for AUD may benefit male subjects, but not female subjects, and warrants further investigation before use as a therapeutic agent.
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19
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Trujillo KA, Heller CY. Ketamine sensitization: Influence of dose, environment, social isolation and treatment interval. Behav Brain Res 2019; 378:112271. [PMID: 31593791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic first developed in the 1960s but is increasingly used at subanesthetic doses for both clinical and non-clinical purposes. There is evidence from human recreational users of compulsive use and addiction. Sensitization is an increase in an effect of a drug with repeated use that is thought to be important in the development of addiction. Research on psychomotor stimulants has shown the development of sensitization in laboratory animals to be modified by factors that influence addiction. In the current paper we describe four experiments on the development of sensitization in laboratory rats aimed at determining if ketamine sensitization is also influenced by factors thought to be important in addiction. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats received ketamine (5, 10, 20 or 50 mg/kg i.p.) for five or more days and the development of locomotor sensitization was followed. Experiment 1 examined the ability of low doses of ketamine to produce sensitization and found sensitization at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Experiment 2 examined the influence of environmental context and found that ketamine sensitization (20 mg/kg) was greater when administration occurred in a novel environment (the experimental apparatus) than in home cages. Experiment 3 found that ketamine sensitization (20 mg/kg) did not occur when animals were housed in social isolation but occurred readily in pair-housed animals. Finally, Experiment 4 found that ketamine sensitization (20 or 50 mg/kg) was similar whether drug was administered daily or at 3-day intervals. Together, the results demonstrate that ketamine sensitization is robust and reliable, occurring under a variety of circumstances. Moreover, ketamine sensitization is influenced by factors that influence the development of addiction in humans. The current results may lead to a better understanding of ketamine abuse and addiction and may help inform clinical use of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Trujillo
- Department of Psychology and Office for Training, Research, and Education in the Sciences, California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92096-0001, USA.
| | - Colleen Y Heller
- Department of Psychology and Office for Training, Research, and Education in the Sciences, California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92096-0001, USA
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20
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Strong C, Kabbaj M. On the safety of repeated ketamine infusions for the treatment of depression: Effects of sex and developmental periods. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:166-175. [PMID: 30450382 PMCID: PMC6236511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we will discuss the safety of repeated treatments with ketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a condition in which patients with major depression do not show any clinical improvements following treatments with at least two antidepressant drugs. We will discuss the effects of these treatments in both sexes at different developmental periods. Numerous small clinical studies have shown that a single, low-dose ketamine infusion can rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms and thoughts of suicidality in patients with TRD, and these effects can last for about one week. Interestingly, the antidepressant effects of ketamine can be prolonged with intermittent, repeated infusion regimens and produce more robust therapeutic effects when compared to a single infusion. The safety of such repeated treatments with ketamine has not been thoroughly investigated. Although more studies are needed, some clinical and preclinical reports indicated that repeated infusions of low doses of ketamine may have addictive properties, and suggested that adolescent and adult female subjects may be more sensitive to ketamine's addictive effects. Additionally, during ketamine infusions, many TRD patients report hallucinations and feelings of dissociation and depersonalization, and therefore the effects of repeated treatments of ketamine on cognition must be further examined. Some clinical reports indicated that, compared to women, men are more sensitive to the psychomimetic effects of ketamine. Preclinical studies extended these findings to both adolescent and adult male rodents and showed that male rodents at both developmental periods are more sensitive to ketamine's cognitive-altering effects. Accordingly, in this review we shall focus our discussion on the potential addictive and cognitive-impairing effects of repeated ketamine infusions in both sexes at two important developmental periods: adolescence and adulthood. Although more work about the safety of ketamine is warranted, we hope this review will bring some answers about the safety of treating TRD with repeated ketamine infusions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Corresponding author. Florida State University, 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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21
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Wright KN, Kabbaj M. Sex differences in sub-anesthetic ketamine's antidepressant effects and abuse liability. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018; 23:36-41. [PMID: 30038955 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sub-anesthetic ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects in patients with bipolar and unipolar major depression where conventional monoaminergic-based antidepressant drugs have been ineffective or ridden with side effects. A single ketamine infusion can produce antidepressant effects lasting up to two weeks, and multiple ketamine infusions prolong this effect. Pre-clinical studies are underway to uncover ketamine's mechanisms of action, but there are still many questions unanswered regarding the safety of its long-term use. Abuse liability is one area of concern, as recreational ketamine use is an ongoing issue in many parts of the world. Another understudied area is sex differences in responsivity to ketamine. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, and they progress through stages of drug addiction more rapidly than their male counterparts. Despite this, preclinical studies in ketamine's antidepressant and addictive-like behaviors in females are limited. These intersecting factors in recent clinical and pre-clinical studies are reviewed to characterize ketamine's therapeutic potential, its limitations, and its potential mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine N Wright
- Florida State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Florida State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Tallahassee, FL
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