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Castle ME, Flanigan ME. The role of brain serotonin signaling in excessive alcohol consumption and withdrawal: A call for more research in females. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100618. [PMID: 38433994 PMCID: PMC10907856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but current treatments are insufficient in fully addressing the symptoms that often lead to relapses in alcohol consumption. The brain's serotonin system has been implicated in AUD for decades and is a major regulator of stress-related behaviors associated with increased alcohol consumption. This review will discuss the current literature on the association between neurobiological adaptations in serotonin systems and AUD in humans as well as the effectiveness of serotonin receptor manipulations on alcohol-related behaviors like consumption and withdrawal. We will further discuss how these findings in humans relate to findings in animal models, including a comparison of systemic pharmacological manipulations modulating alcohol consumption. We next provide a detailed overview of brain region-specific roles for serotonin and serotonin receptor signaling in alcohol-related behaviors in preclinical animal models, highlighting the complexity of forming a cohesive model of serotonin function in AUD and providing possible avenues for more effective therapeutic intervention. Throughout the review, we discuss what is known about sex differences in the sequelae of AUD and the role of serotonin in these sequelae. We stress a critical need for additional studies in women and female animals so that we may build a clearer path to elucidating sex-specific serotonergic mechanisms and develop better treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meghan E. Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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2
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Vadasz C, Gyetvai BM. Genetic association of nucleus accumbens 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid level and alcohol preference drinking in a quasi-congenic male mice: Potential modulation by Grm7 gene polymorphism. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2022; 2:100012. [PMID: 36845900 PMCID: PMC9948933 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2021.100012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that predisposition to high alcohol drinking behavior is genetically associated with hypoactive serotonergic function in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc). METHOD Alcohol avoiding C5A3 and alcohol preferring I5B25A mice of the Quasi-congenic Recombinant QTL Introgression (RQI) mouse strains were subjected to in vivo microdialysis in the NAc. Neurotransmitter and metabolite contents were analyzed by HPLC and samples were collected in three phases: Baseline, Control, and Alcohol. Samples were collected with 20 min intervals. RESULTS Between-strain differences restricted to small chromosome segments significantly affected both alcohol preference drinking and NAc 5-HIAA levels [F1, 13 = 5.569 p=.035 (General Linear Model Repeated Measures ANOVA and Tests of Between-Subjects Effects)]. Whole genome biallelic DNA marker genotyping allowed the identification of 16 differential microsatellite markers associated with low 5-HIAA levels and excessive alcohol drinking. Chromosome 6 markers were linked to Grm7 (51.19 centimorgan), a reported candidate gene for modulation of addiction. The results are consistent with earlier reports of association of low 5-HIAA and high alcohol consumption in rats and primates, including Homo sapiens. CONCLUSION Low NAc 5-HIAA and high alcohol consumption are genetically associated in a quasi-congenic mouse model carrying variants of the Grm7 gene. We propose that constitutional polymorphism in Grm7 may modulate CRF neuron activity via altered mGluR7 expression thus targeting CRF pathways to substance use circuits. This raises the possibility of modulation of DRN 5-HT neurons leading to hypo- or hyper-serotonergic condition in NAc and higher or lower alcohol preference drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Vadasz
- Laboratory of Neurobehavior Genetics, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., 10962, Orangeburg, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beatrix M. Gyetvai
- Laboratory of Neurobehavior Genetics, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., 10962, Orangeburg, NY, USA
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Wang S, Liu H, Roberts JB, Wiley AP, Marayati BF, Adams KL, Luessen DJ, Eldeeb K, Sun H, Zhang K, Chen R. Prolonged ethanol exposure modulates constitutive internalization and recycling of 5-HT1A receptors. J Neurochem 2022; 160:469-481. [PMID: 34928513 PMCID: PMC8828711 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol exposure alters the signaling of the serotoninergic system, which is involved in alcohol consumption, reward, and dependence. In particular, dysregulation of serotonin receptor type 1A (5-HT1AR) is associated with alcohol intake and withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior in rodents. However, how ethanol regulates 5-HT1AR activity and cell surface availability remains elusive. Using neuroblastoma 2a cells stably expressing human 5-HT1ARs tagged with hemagglutinin at the N-terminus, we found that prolonged ethanol exposure (18 h) reduced the basal surface levels of 5-HT1ARs in a concentration-dependent manner. This reduction is attributed to both enhanced receptor internalization and attenuated receptor recycling. Moreover, constitutive 5-HT1AR internalization in ethanol naïve cells was blocked by concanavalin A (ConA) but not nystatin, suggesting clathrin-dependent 5-HT1AR internalization. In contrast, constitutive 5-HT1AR internalization in ethanol-treated cells was blocked by nystatin but not by ConA, indicating that constitutive 5-HT1AR internalization switched from a clathrin- to a caveolin-dependent pathway. Dynasore, an inhibitor of dynamin, blocked 5-HT1AR internalization in both vehicle- and ethanol-treated cells. Furthermore, ethanol exposure enhanced the activity of dynamin I via dephosphorylation and reduced myosin Va levels, which may contribute to increased internalization and reduced recycling of 5-HT1ARs, respectively. Our findings suggest that prolonged ethanol exposure not only alters the endocytic trafficking of 5-HT1ARs but also the mechanism by which constitutive 5-HT1AR internalization occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Wang
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Haoran Liu
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106
| | - Jonté B. Roberts
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Aidan P. Wiley
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | | | - Kristen L. Adams
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Deborah J. Luessen
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Khalil Eldeeb
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
- Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, NC 27546
| | - Haiguo Sun
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106
- Center for Molecular Signaling, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157
- Center for Molecular Signaling, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106
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Dahchour A, Ward RJ. Changes in Brain Dopamine Extracellular Concentration after Ethanol Administration; Rat Microdialysis Studies. Alcohol Alcohol 2021; 57:165-175. [PMID: 34693981 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The purpose of this review is to evaluate microdialysis studies where alterations in the dopaminergic system have been evaluated after different intoxication states, in animals showing preference or not for alcohol, as well as during alcohol withdrawal. METHODS Ethanol administration induces varying alterations in dopamine microdialysate concentrations, thereby modulating the functional output of the dopaminergic system. RESULTS Administration of low doses of ethanol, intraperitoneally, intravenously, orally or directly into the nucleus accumbens, NAc, increases mesolimbic dopamine, transmission, as shown by increases in dopamine content. Chronic alcohol administration to rats, which show alcohol-dependent behaviour, induced little change in basal dopamine microdialysis content. In contrast, reduced basal dopamine content occurred after ethanol withdrawal, which might be the stimulus to induce alcohol cravings and consumption. Intermittent alcohol consumption did not identify any consistent changes in dopamine transmission. Animals which have been selectively or genetically bred for alcohol preference did not show consistent changes in basal dopamine content although, exhibited a significant ethanol-evoked dopamine response by comparison to non-preference animals. CONCLUSIONS Microdialysis has provided valuable information about ethanol-evoked dopamine release in the different animal models of alcohol abuse. Acute ethanol administration increases dopamine transmission in the rat NAc whereas chronic ethanol consumption shows variable results which might reflect whether the rat is prior to or experiencing ethanol withdrawal. Ethanol withdrawal significantly decreases the extracellular dopamine content. Such changes in dopamine surges will contribute to both drug dependence, e.g. susceptibility to drug withdrawal, and addiction, by compromising the ability to react to normal dopamine fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkader Dahchour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Faulty of medicine and Pharmacy. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Imouzzer Road, Fez 30000, Morocco
| | - Roberta J Ward
- Centre for Neuroinflammation & Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
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Bauer EE, Shoeman A, Buhr TJ, Daniels KM, Lyte M, Clark PJ. Voluntary binge-patterned alcohol drinking and sex-specific influences on monoamine-related neurochemical signatures in the mouse gut and brain. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:996-1012. [PMID: 33704774 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered monoamine (i.e., serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) activity following episodes of alcohol abuse plays key roles not only in the motivation to ingest ethanol, but also physiological dysfunction related to its misuse. Although monoamine activity is essential for physiological processes that require coordinated communication across the gut-brain axis (GBA), relatively little is known about how alcohol misuse may affect monoamine levels across the GBA. Therefore, we evaluated monoamine activity across the mouse gut and brain following episodes of binge-patterned ethanol drinking. METHODS Monoamine and select metabolite neurochemical concentrations were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography in gut and brain regions of female and male C57BL/6J mice following "Drinking in the Dark" (DID), a binge-patterned ethanol ingestion paradigm. RESULTS First, we found that alcohol access had an overall small effect on gut monoamine-related neurochemical concentrations, primarily influencing dopamine activity. Second, neurochemical patterns between the small intestine and the striatum were correlated, adding to recent evidence of modulatory activity between these areas. Third, although alcohol access robustly influenced activity in brain areas in the mesolimbic dopamine system, binge exposure also influenced monoaminergic activity in the hypothalamic region. Finally, sex differences were observed in the concentrations of neurochemicals within the gut, which was particularly pronounced in the small intestine. CONCLUSION Together, these data provide insights into the influence of alcohol abuse and biological sex on monoamine-related neurochemical changes across the GBA, which could have important implications for GBA function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella E Bauer
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Allyse Shoeman
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Trevor J Buhr
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Karrie M Daniels
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Mark Lyte
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Peter J Clark
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Alcohol. Alcohol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816793-9.00001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Sabry FM, Ibrahim MK, Hamed MR, Ahmed HMS. Neurobehavioral effects of alcohol in overcrowded male adolescent rats. Neurosci Lett 2020; 731:135084. [PMID: 32485284 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Being a critical neurodevelopmental stage that is affected by social conditions, the period of adolescence was chosen as the age of examining possible modification of alcohol neurobehavioral effects by overcrowding. Adolescent male rats (postnatal day 35±1) were subjected to overcrowding and/or injected with ethanol, 2 g/kg, 20% w/v, (i.p.) for one week. 24 h after the last dose, motor, exploratory behavior, sociability and fear responses were assessed using open field, social interaction and defensive probe burying tests, respectively. Wet brain tissue nitric oxide and reduced glutathione contents as well as monoamine levels, namely dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, in addition to 5-HIAA were estimated. Overcrowding increased social play and freezing time. Alcohol administration under overcrowding condition impaired sociability and interfered with active fear response. Alcohol in normal or in under overcrowding condition, impaired motor and exploratory behavior and increased anxiety. These results indicate that concomitant exposure of male adolescent rats to overcrowding and alcohol induced adverse behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma M Sabry
- Department of Developmental Pharmacology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt.
| | - Michael K Ibrahim
- Department of Developmental Pharmacology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt
| | - M Raouf Hamed
- Department of Developmental Pharmacology, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egypt
| | - Helmy M Sayed Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt
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Zhu S, Chen P, Chen M, Ruan J, Ren W, Zhang X, Gao Y, Li Y. Alcohol inhibits morphine/cocaine reward memory acquisition and reconsolidation in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1043-1053. [PMID: 31912191 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05433-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Alcohol is a recreational substance that is generally socially acceptable and legal in most areas worldwide. An alcohol overdose will produce an inhibitory effect on the brain and impair cognition and memory. In this study, we examined the effect of alcohol on the acquisition, consolidation, and reconsolidation of drug reward memory induced by morphine and cocaine in rats. METHODS Rats were trained to acquire morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg, s.c.) and cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) conditioned place preference (CPP) via an unbiased CPP paradigm. Vehicle or alcohol (0.25, 0.75, 1.5 g/kg, i.p.) was administered at various time-points, including 30 min before each CPP conditioning session (acquisition), immediately after each CPP conditioning session (consolidation), immediately after the reactivation of CPP (reconsolidation with re-exposure), or without reactivation to the drug-paired context (reconsolidation without re-exposure). Conditioning scores were recorded before or after each conditioning session or memory reactivation. RESULTS Alcohol at a dose of 1.5 g/kg but not 0.25 g/kg or 0.75 g/kg significantly inhibited the acquisition and reconsolidation of morphine- and cocaine-associated memory. In contrast, alcohol had no effect on the consolidation of morphine- or cocaine-induced CPP. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that pre-exposure alcohol dose-dependently attenuated morphine- or cocaine-induced place preference and prevented drug reinstatement in rats by disrupting memory reconsolidation, which may be explained by the inhibitory effect of alcohol on dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Pingping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Mingzhu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Jiawei Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Wanying Ren
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yanqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, and Wuhan University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
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Cofresí RU, Bartholow BD, Piasecki TM. Evidence for incentive salience sensitization as a pathway to alcohol use disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:897-926. [PMID: 31672617 PMCID: PMC6878895 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The incentive salience sensitization (ISS) theory of addiction holds that addictive behavior stems from the ability of drugs to progressively sensitize the brain circuitry that mediates attribution of incentive salience (IS) to reward-predictive cues and its behavioral manifestations. In this article, we establish the plausibility of ISS as an etiological pathway to alcohol use disorder (AUD). We provide a comprehensive and critical review of evidence for: (1) the ability of alcohol to sensitize the brain circuitry of IS attribution and expression; and (2) attribution of IS to alcohol-predictive cues and its sensitization in humans and non-human animals. We point out gaps in the literature and how these might be addressed. We also highlight how individuals with different alcohol subjective response phenotypes may differ in susceptibility to ISS as a pathway to AUD. Finally, we discuss important implications of this neuropsychological mechanism in AUD for psychological and pharmacological interventions attempting to attenuate alcohol craving and cue reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto U Cofresí
- University of Missouri, Department of Psychological Sciences, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
| | - Bruce D Bartholow
- University of Missouri, Department of Psychological Sciences, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Thomas M Piasecki
- University of Missouri, Department of Psychological Sciences, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
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Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations as biomarkers of future alcohol use: A predictive analytic approach. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 18:88-98. [PMID: 29209998 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-017-0554-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption has a vast, negative impact on society. Rodent models have been successful in furthering our understanding of the biological underpinnings that drive alcohol consumption. Rodents emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) that are each composed of several acoustic characteristics (e.g., frequency, duration, bandwidth, power). USVs reflect neurotransmitter activity in the ascending limb of the mesolimbic dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems and serve as noninvasive, real-time biomarkers of dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in the limbic system. In the present study, we recorded spontaneously emitted USVs from alcohol-naïve Long-Evans (LE) rats and then measured their alcohol intake. We compared the USV acoustic characteristics and alcohol consumption data from these LE rats with previously published data from selectively bred high-alcohol (P and HAD-1) and low-alcohol (NP and LAD-1) drinking lines from studies with the same experimental method. Predictive analytic techniques were applied simultaneously to this combined data set and revealed that (a) USVs emitted by alcohol-naïve rats accurately discriminated among high-alcohol consuming, LE, and low-alcohol consuming rat lines, and (b) future alcohol consumption in these same rat lines was reliably predicted from the USV data collected in an alcohol-naïve state. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that alcohol consumption is predicted directly from USV profiles of alcohol-naïve rats. Because USV acoustic characteristics are sensitive to underlying neural activity, these findings suggest that baseline differences in mesolimbic cholinergic and dopaminergic tone could determine the propensity for future alcohol consumption in rodents.
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Kalinichenko LS, Hammad L, Reichel M, Kohl Z, Gulbins E, Kornhuber J, Müller CP. Acid sphingomyelinase controls dopamine activity and responses to appetitive stimuli in mice. Brain Res Bull 2019; 146:310-319. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Mittal N, Thakore N, Reno JM, Bell RL, Maddox WT, Schallert T, Duvauchelle CL. Alcohol-naïve USVs distinguish male HAD-1 from LAD-1 rat strains. Alcohol 2018; 68:9-17. [PMID: 29427829 PMCID: PMC5851795 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are mediated through specific dopaminergic and cholinergic neural pathways and serve as real-time measures of positive and negative emotional status in rodents. Although most USV studies focus primarily on USV counts, each USV possesses a number of characteristics shown to reflect activity in the associated neurotransmitter system. In the present study, we recorded spontaneously emitted USVs from alcohol-naïve high alcohol drinking (HAD-1) and low alcohol drinking (LAD-1) rats. Using our recently developed WAAVES algorithm, we quantified four acoustic characteristics (mean frequency, duration, power, and bandwidth) from each 22-28 kHz and 50-55 kHz frequency-modulated (FM) USV. This rich USV representation allowed us to apply advanced statistical techniques to identify the USV acoustic characteristics that distinguished HAD-1 from LAD-1 rats. Linear mixed models (LMM) examined the predictability of each USV characteristic in isolation and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and binomial logistic regression examined the predictability of linear combinations of the USV characteristics as a group. Results revealed significant differences in acoustic characteristics between HAD-1 and LAD-1 rats in both 22-28 kHz and 50-55 kHz FM USVs. In other words, these rats selectively bred for high- and low-alcohol consumption can be identified as HAD-1 or LAD-1 rats with high classification accuracy (approximately 92-100%) exclusively based on their emitted 22-28 kHz and 50-55 kHz FM USV acoustic characteristics. In addition, acoustic characteristics of 22-28 kHz and 50-55 kHz FM USVs emitted by alcohol-naïve HAD-1 and LAD-1 rats significantly correlate with their future alcohol consumption. Our current findings provide novel evidence that USV acoustic characteristics can be used to discriminate between alcohol-naïve HAD-1 and LAD-1 rats, and may serve as biomarkers in rodents with a predisposition for, or against, excessive alcohol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitish Mittal
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Neha Thakore
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - James M Reno
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Division, 108 E. Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - W Todd Maddox
- Cognitive Design and Statistical Consulting, Austin, TX 78746, United States
| | - Timothy Schallert
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, United States; The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Division, 108 E. Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Christine L Duvauchelle
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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Mittal N, Thakore N, Bell RL, Maddox WT, Schallert T, Duvauchelle CL. Sex-specific ultrasonic vocalization patterns and alcohol consumption in high alcohol-drinking (HAD-1) rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 203:81-90. [PMID: 29146494 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) have been established as an animal model of emotional status and are often utilized in drug abuse studies as motivational and emotional indices. Further USV functionality has been demonstrated in our recent work showing accurate identification of selectively-bred high versus low alcohol-consuming male rats ascertained exclusively from 22 to 28kHz and 50-55kHz FM USV acoustic parameters. With the hypothesis that alcohol-sensitive sex differences could be revealed through USV acoustic parameters, the present study examined USVs and alcohol consumption in male and female selectively bred high-alcohol drinking (HAD-1) rats. For the current study, we examined USV data collected during a 12-week experiment in male and female HAD-1 rats. Experimental phases included Baseline (2weeks), 4-h EtOH Access (4weeks), 24-h EtOH Access (4weeks) and Abstinence (2weeks). Findings showed that both male and female HAD-1 rats spontaneously emitted a large number of 22-28kHz and 50-55kHz FM USVs and that females drank significantly more alcohol compared to males over the entire course of the experiment. Analyses of USV acoustic characteristics (i.e. mean frequency, duration, bandwidth and power) revealed distinct sex-specific phenotypes in both 50-55kHz FM and 22-28kHz USV transmission that were modulated by ethanol exposure. Moreover, by using a linear combination of these acoustic characteristics, we were able to develop binomial logistic regression models able to discriminate between male and female HAD-1 rats with high accuracy. Together these results highlight unique emotional phenotypes in male and female HAD-1 rats that are differentially modulated by alcohol experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mittal
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - N Thakore
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R L Bell
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - W T Maddox
- Cognitive Design and Statistical Consulting, LLC, Austin, TX 78746, USA
| | - T Schallert
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; The University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts, Behavioral Neuroscience, 108 E. Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - C L Duvauchelle
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Wang FL, Chassin L. Negative Urgency Mediates the Relation between Genetically-Influenced Serotonin Functioning and Alcohol Problems. Clin Psychol Sci 2017; 6:106-122. [PMID: 29354329 DOI: 10.1177/2167702617733817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) functioning is associated with alcohol problems. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. The current study tested whether five separate dimensions of impulsivity (UPPS-P) mediated the relation between a polygenic score indexing 5-HT functioning and alcohol problems and whether any of these paths were moderated by age. Results showed that a 5-HT polygenic score predicted alcohol problems indirectly through negative urgency, but not any other facet of impulsivity. The 5-HT polygenic score also directly predicted alcohol problems. No age moderation was found. Findings suggest that negative urgency might be one important mechanism underlying the relation between genetically-influenced 5-HT functioning and alcohol problems. However, genetically-influenced 5-HT functioning likely influences alcohol problems through additional mechanisms. More broadly, results suggest that the previously observed transdiagnostic nature of 5-HT functioning on diverse types of psychopathology might be, in part, explained by its effect on negative urgency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances L Wang
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
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15
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Serotonin functioning and adolescents' alcohol use: A genetically informed study examining mechanisms of risk. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 30:213-233. [PMID: 28534453 DOI: 10.1017/s095457941700058x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The current study used data from two longitudinal samples to test whether self-regulation, depressive symptoms, and aggression/antisociality were mediators in the relation between a polygenic score indexing serotonin (5-HT) functioning and alcohol use in adolescence. The results from an independent genome-wide association study of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid were used to create 5-HT polygenic risk scores. Adolescents and/or parents reported on adolescents' self-regulation (Time 1), depressive symptoms (Time 2), aggression/antisociality (Time 2), and alcohol use (Time 3). The results showed that 5-HT polygenic risk did not predict self-regulation. However, adolescents with higher levels of 5-HT polygenic risk showed greater depression and aggression/antisociality. Adolescents' aggression/antisociality mediated the relation between 5-HT polygenic risk and later alcohol use. Deficits in self-regulation also predicted depression and aggression/antisociality, and indirectly predicted alcohol use through aggression/antisociality. Pathways to alcohol use were especially salient for males from families with low parental education in one of the two samples. The results provide insights into the longitudinal mechanisms underlying the relation between 5-HT functioning and alcohol use (i.e., earlier aggression/antisociality). There was no evidence that genetically based variation in 5-HT functioning predisposed individuals to deficits in self-regulation. Genetically based variation in 5-HT functioning and self-regulation might be separate, transdiagnostic risk factors for several types of psychopathology.
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Sari Y. Commentary: Targeting NMDA Receptor and Serotonin Transporter for the Treatment of Comorbid Alcohol Dependence and Depression. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:275-278. [PMID: 28102547 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
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17
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McGuier NS, Griffin WC, Gass JT, Padula AE, Chesler EJ, Mulholland PJ. Kv7 channels in the nucleus accumbens are altered by chronic drinking and are targets for reducing alcohol consumption. Addict Biol 2016; 21:1097-1112. [PMID: 26104325 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are a major public health issue and produce enormous societal and economic burdens. Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies for treating AUDs suffer from deleterious side effects and are only effective in a subset of individuals. It is therefore essential to find improved medications for the management of AUDs. Emerging evidence suggests that anticonvulsants are a promising class of drugs for treating individuals with AUDs. In these studies, we used integrative functional genomics to demonstrate that genes that encode Kv7 channels (i.e. Kcnq2/3) are related to alcohol (ethanol) consumption, preference and acceptance in rodents. We then tested the ability of the FDA-approved anticonvulsant retigabine, a Kv7 channel opener, to reduce voluntary ethanol consumption of Wistar rats in a two-bottle choice intermittent alcohol access paradigm. Systemic administration and microinjections of retigabine into the nucleus accumbens significantly reduced alcohol drinking, and retigabine was more effective at reducing intake in high- versus low-drinking populations of Wistar rats. Prolonged voluntary drinking increased the sensitivity to the proconvulsant effects of pharmacological blockade of Kv7 channels and altered surface trafficking and SUMOylation patterns of Kv7.2 channels in the nucleus accumbens. These data implicate Kcnq2/3 in the regulation of ethanol drinking and demonstrate that long-term drinking produces neuroadaptations in Kv7 channels. In addition, these results have identified retigabine as a potential pharmacotherapy for treating AUDs and Kv7 channels as a novel therapeutic target for reducing heavy drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S. McGuier
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | - William C. Griffin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | - Justin T. Gass
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | - Audrey E. Padula
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | | | - Patrick J. Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
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18
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Trifilieff P, Ducrocq F, van der Veldt S, Martinez D. Blunted Dopamine Transmission in Addiction: Potential Mechanisms and Implications for Behavior. Semin Nucl Med 2016; 47:64-74. [PMID: 27987559 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging consistently shows blunted striatal dopamine release and decreased dopamine D2 receptor availability in addiction. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies indicating that this neurobiological phenotype is likely to be both a consequence of chronic drug consumption and a vulnerability factor in the development of addiction. We propose that, behaviorally, blunted striatal dopamine transmission could reflect the increased impulsivity and altered cost/benefit computations that are associated with addiction. The factors that influence blunted striatal dopamine transmission in addiction are unknown. Herein, we give an overview of various factors, genetic, environmental, and social, that are known to affect dopamine transmission and that have been associated with the vulnerability to develop addiction. Altogether, these data suggest that blunted dopamine transmission and decreased D2 receptor availability are biomarkers both for the development of addiction and resistance to treatment. These findings support the view that blunted dopamine reflects impulsive behavior and deficits in motivation, which lead to the escalation of drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Trifilieff
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, INRA UMR 1286, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Fabien Ducrocq
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, INRA UMR 1286, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Suzanne van der Veldt
- Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, INRA UMR 1286, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Diana Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical College, New York, NY.
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Dyr W, Wyszogrodzka E, Paterak J, Siwińska-Ziółkowska A, Małkowska A, Polak P. Ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in Warsaw Alcohol High-Preferring (WHP) and Warsaw Alcohol Low-Preferring (WLP) rats. Alcohol 2016; 51:63-9. [PMID: 26992702 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aversive action of the pharmacological properties of ethanol was studied in selectively bred Warsaw Alcohol High-Preferring (WHP) and Warsaw Alcohol Low-Preferring (WLP) rats. For this study, a conditioned-taste aversion test was used. Male WHP and WLP rats were submitted to daily 20-min sessions for 5 days, in which a saccharin solution (1.0 g/L) was available (pre-conditioning phase). Next, this drinking was paired with the injection of ethanol (0, 0.5, 1.0 g/kg), intraperitoneally [i.p.] immediately after removal of the saccharin bottle (conditioning phase). Afterward, the choice between the saccharin solution and water was extended for 18 subsequent days for 20-min daily sessions (post-conditioning phase). Both doses of ethanol did not produce an aversion to saccharin in WLP and WHP rats in the conditioning phase. However, injection of the 1.0 g/kg dose of ethanol produced an aversion in WLP rats that was detected by a decrease in saccharin intake at days 1, 3, 7, and 10 of the post-conditioning phase, with a decrease in saccharin preference for 16 days of the post-conditioning phase. Conditioned taste aversion, measured as a decrease in saccharin intake and saccharin preference, was only visible in WHP rats at day 1 and day 3 of the post-conditioning phase. This difference between WLP and WHP rats was apparent despite similar blood ethanol levels in both rat lines following injection of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg of ethanol. These results may suggest differing levels of aversion to the post-ingestional effects of ethanol between WLP and WHP rats. These differing levels of aversion may contribute to the selected line difference in ethanol preference in WHP and WLP rats.
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20
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Thakore N, Reno JM, Gonzales RA, Schallert T, Bell RL, Maddox WT, Duvauchelle CL. Alcohol enhances unprovoked 22-28 kHz USVs and suppresses USV mean frequency in High Alcohol Drinking (HAD-1) male rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 302:228-36. [PMID: 26802730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heightened emotional states increase impulsive behaviors such as excessive ethanol consumption in humans. Though positive and negative affective states in rodents can be monitored in real-time through ultrasonic vocalization (USV) emissions, few animal studies have focused on the role of emotional status as a stimulus for initial ethanol drinking. Our laboratory has recently developed reliable, high-speed analysis techniques to compile USV data during multiple-hour drinking sessions. Since High Alcohol Drinking (HAD-1) rats are selectively bred to voluntarily consume intoxicating levels of alcohol, we hypothesized that USVs emitted by HAD-1 rats would reveal unique emotional phenotypes predictive of alcohol intake and sensitive to alcohol experience. In this study, male HAD-1 rats had access to water, 15% and 30% EtOH or water only (i.e., Controls) during 8 weeks of daily 7-h drinking-in-the-dark (DID) sessions. USVs, associated with both positive (i.e., 50-55 kHz frequency-modulated or FM) and negative (i.e., 22-28 kHz) emotional states, emitted during these daily DID sessions were examined. Findings showed basal 22-28 kHz USVs were emitted by both EtOH-Naïve (Control) and EtOH-experienced rats, alcohol experience enhanced 22-28 kHz USV emissions, and USV acoustic parameters (i.e., mean frequency in kHz) of both positive and negative USVs were significantly suppressed by chronic alcohol experience. These data suggest that negative affective status initiates and maintains excessive alcohol intake in selectively bred HAD-1 rats and support the notion that unprovoked emissions of negative affect-associated USVs (i.e., 22-28 kHz) predict vulnerability to excessive alcohol intake in distinct rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Thakore
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - James M Reno
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 108 E. Dean Keeton Avenue, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Timothy Schallert
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 108 E. Dean Keeton Avenue, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Richard L Bell
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - W Todd Maddox
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 108 E. Dean Keeton Avenue, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Christine L Duvauchelle
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2409 University Avenue, Stop A1915, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Stop A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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21
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Dopamine receptor agonists modulate voluntary alcohol intake independently of individual levels of alcohol intake in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2715-25. [PMID: 27236784 PMCID: PMC4917576 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4330-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Individual susceptibility to alcohol use disorder has been related to functional changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission. OBJECTIVES The aim of the current work was to assess the effects of selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists on alcohol consumption in rats that differ in individual levels of alcohol intake. METHODS The effects of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 82958, the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the dopamine D2 receptor agonist sumanirole and the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist L741,626 on alcohol consumption and preference were assessed at different time points after treatment in subgroups of low and high alcohol drinking rats (LD and HD) using an intermittent alcohol access paradigm. RESULTS SKF 82958 decreased alcohol intake and alcohol preference throughout the 24-h session. Sumanirole decreased alcohol intake during the first 2 h, but increased alcohol intake during the remainder of the session. The effects of SKF 82958 and sumanirole on alcohol intake and alcohol preference were comparable in LD and HD. By contrast, the dopamine receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and L741,626 did not alter alcohol consumption in either group at any time point. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors reduces alcohol intake, but that endogenous dopamine does not play a primary role in alcohol consumption. Moreover, the difference in alcohol consumption between LD and HD does not involve altered dopamine signaling.
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Bendre M, Comasco E, Nylander I, Nilsson KW. Effect of voluntary alcohol consumption on Maoa expression in the mesocorticolimbic brain of adult male rats previously exposed to prolonged maternal separation. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e690. [PMID: 26645625 PMCID: PMC5068586 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Discordant associations between monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype and high alcohol drinking have been reported in human and non-human primates. Environmental influences likely moderate genetic susceptibility. The biological basis for this interplay remains elusive, and inconsistencies call for translational studies in which conditions can be controlled and brain tissue is accessible. The present study investigated whether early life stress and subsequent adult episodic alcohol consumption affect Maoa expression in stress- and reward-related brain regions in the rat. Outbred Wistar rats were exposed to rearing conditions associated with stress (prolonged maternal separation) or no stress during early life, and given free choice between alcohol and/or water in adulthood. Transcript levels of Maoa were assessed in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, amygdala and dorsal striatum (DS). Blood was collected to assess corticosterone levels. After alcohol consumption, lower blood corticosterone and Maoa expression in the NAc and DS were found in rats exposed to early life stress compared with control rats. An interaction between early life stress and voluntary alcohol intake was found in the NAc. Alcohol intake before death correlated negatively with Maoa expression in DS in high alcohol-drinking rats exposed to early life stress. Maoa expression is sensitive to adulthood voluntary alcohol consumption in the presence of early life stress in outbred rats. These findings add knowledge of the molecular basis of the previously reported associations between early life stress, MAOA and susceptibility to alcohol misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bendre
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, BMC, Box 593, Uppsala 751 24, SwedenE-mail:
| | - I Nylander
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden,Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 591, Uppsala SE-751 24, Sweden. E-mail:
| | - K W Nilsson
- Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden
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23
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Stankiewicz AM, Goscik J, Dyr W, Juszczak GR, Ryglewicz D, Swiergiel AH, Wieczorek M, Stefanski R. Novel candidate genes for alcoholism--transcriptomic analysis of prefrontal medial cortex, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens of Warsaw alcohol-preferring and non-preferring rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139:27-38. [PMID: 26455281 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Animal models provide opportunity to study neurobiological aspects of human alcoholism. Changes in gene expression have been implicated in mediating brain functions, including reward system and addiction. The current study aimed to identify genes that may underlie differential ethanol preference in Warsaw High Preferring (WHP) and Warsaw Low Preferring (WLP) rats. METHODS Microarray analysis comparing gene expression in nucleus accumbens (NAc), hippocampus (HP) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was performed in male WHP and WLP rats bred for differences in ethanol preference. RESULTS Differential and stable between biological repeats expression of 345, 254 and 129 transcripts in NAc, HP and mPFC was detected. Identified genes and processes included known mediators of ethanol response (Mx2, Fam111a, Itpr1, Gabra4, Agtr1a, LTP/LTD, renin-angiotensin signaling pathway), toxicity (Sult1c2a, Ces1, inflammatory response), as well as genes involved in regulation of important addiction-related brain systems such as dopamine, tachykinin or acetylcholine (Gng7, Tac4, Slc5a7). CONCLUSIONS The identified candidate genes may underlie differential ethanol preference in an animal model of alcoholism. COMMENT Names of genes are written in italics, while names of proteins are written in standard font. Names of human genes/proteins are written in all capital letters. Names of rodent genes/proteins are written in capital letter followed by small letters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Stankiewicz
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Joanna Goscik
- Software Department, Faculty of Computer Science, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Wanda Dyr
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz R Juszczak
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Danuta Ryglewicz
- First Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur H Swiergiel
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA71130, USA.
| | - Marek Wieczorek
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Roman Stefanski
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
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McClintick JN, McBride WJ, Bell RL, Ding ZM, Liu Y, Xuei X, Edenberg HJ. Gene expression changes in serotonin, GABA-A receptors, neuropeptides and ion channels in the dorsal raphe nucleus of adolescent alcohol-preferring (P) rats following binge-like alcohol drinking. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 129:87-96. [PMID: 25542586 PMCID: PMC4302739 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol binge-drinking during adolescence is a serious public health concern with long-term consequences. We used RNA sequencing to assess the effects of excessive adolescent ethanol binge-drinking on gene expression in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of alcohol preferring (P) rats. Repeated binges across adolescence (three 1h sessions across the dark-cycle per day, 5 days per week for 3 weeks starting at 28 days of age; ethanol intakes of 2.5-3 g/kg/session) significantly altered the expression of approximately one-third of the detected genes. Multiple neurotransmitter systems were altered, with the largest changes in the serotonin system (21 of 23 serotonin-related genes showed decreased expression) and GABA-A receptors (8 decreased and 2 increased). Multiple neuropeptide systems were also altered, with changes in the neuropeptide Y and corticotropin-releasing hormone systems similar to those associated with increased drinking and decreased resistance to stress. There was increased expression of 21 of 32 genes for potassium channels. Expression of downstream targets of CREB signaling was increased. There were also changes in expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes, axonal guidance, growth factors, transcription factors, and several intracellular signaling pathways. These widespread changes indicate that excessive binge drinking during adolescence alters the functioning of the DRN and likely its modulation of many regions of the central nervous system, including the mesocorticolimbic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette N McClintick
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - William J McBride
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Zheng-Ming Ding
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Xiaoling Xuei
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Howard J Edenberg
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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25
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Rezvani AH, Cauley MC, Levin ED. Lorcaserin, a selective 5-HT 2C receptor agonist, decreases alcohol intake in female alcohol preferring rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 125:8-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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26
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Ma H, Zhu G. The dopamine system and alcohol dependence. SHANGHAI ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY 2014; 26:61-8. [PMID: 25092951 PMCID: PMC4120286 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-0829.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a common mental disorder that is associated with substantial disease burden. Current efforts at prevention and treatment of alcohol dependence are of very limited effectiveness. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying dependence is essential to improving the outcomes of treatment and prevention initiatives. To date, most of the efforts have focused on the key role of the dopamine system in the complex etiological network of alcohol dependence. This review summarizes current research about the relationships between alcohol consumption and the dopaminergic system. We find that many of the currently available studies have contradictory results, presumably due to differences in methodology, non-linear dosage effects, use of different samples, and the possible confounding effects of other neurotransmitter systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ma
- Center for Mental Health, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China ; Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Gang Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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27
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The role of serotonin in drug use and addiction. Behav Brain Res 2014; 277:146-92. [PMID: 24769172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of psychoactive drugs is a wide spread behaviour in human societies. The systematic use of a drug requires the establishment of different drug use-associated behaviours which need to be learned and controlled. However, controlled drug use may develop into compulsive drug use and addiction, a major psychiatric disorder with severe consequences for the individual and society. Here we review the role of the serotonergic (5-HT) system in the establishment of drug use-associated behaviours on the one hand and the transition and maintenance of addiction on the other hand for the drugs: cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), morphine/heroin, cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine. Results show a crucial, but distinct involvement of the 5-HT system in both processes with considerable overlap between psychostimulant and opioidergic drugs and alcohol. A new functional model suggests specific adaptations in the 5-HT system, which coincide with the establishment of controlled drug use-associated behaviours. These serotonergic adaptations render the nervous system susceptible to the transition to compulsive drug use behaviours and often overlap with genetic risk factors for addiction. Altogether we suggest a new trajectory by which serotonergic neuroadaptations induced by first drug exposure pave the way for the establishment of addiction.
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Burnett EJ, Grant KA, Davenport AT, Hemby SE, Friedman DP. The effects of chronic ethanol self-administration on hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors in monkeys. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 136:135-42. [PMID: 24467872 PMCID: PMC3962821 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol consumption reduces brain serotonin and alters the synaptic mechanisms involved in memory formation. Hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors modulate these mechanisms, but the neuroadaptive response of 5HT1A receptors to chronic alcohol self-administration is not well understood. METHODS Hippocampal tissue from monkeys that voluntarily self-administered ethanol for 12 months (n=9) and accompanying controls (n=8) were prepared for in vitro receptor autoradiography and laser capture microdissection. The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, [(3)H]MPPF, and the agonist, [(3)H]8-OH-DPAT, were used to measure total and G-protein coupled 5-HT1A receptors respectively. The expression of the genes encoding the 5-HT1A receptor and its trafficking protein Yif1B was measured in microdissected dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons. RESULTS An increase in G-protein coupled, but not total, receptors was observed in the posterior pyramidal cell layer of CA1 in ethanol drinkers compared to controls. Chronic ethanol self-administration was also associated with an up-regulation of total and G-protein coupled 5-HT1A receptors in the posterior DG polymorphic layer. Changes in receptor binding were not associated with concomitant changes in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression. Chronic ethanol self-administration was associated with a significant increase in Yif1B gene expression in posterior CA1 pyramidal neurons. CONCLUSIONS Chronic, ethanol self-administration up-regulates hippocampal 5-HT1A receptor density in a region-specific manner that does not appear to be due to alterations at the level of transcription but instead may be due to increased receptor trafficking. Further exploration of the mechanisms mediating chronic ethanol-induced 5-HT1A receptor up-regulation and how hippocampal neurotransmission is altered is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J. Burnett
- Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Grant
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - April T. Davenport
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Scott E. Hemby
- Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - David P. Friedman
- Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Corresponding author: David P Friedman, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, , (336) 713-7186 tel, (336) 713-7168 fax
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Trifilieff P, Martinez D. Imaging addiction: D2 receptors and dopamine signaling in the striatum as biomarkers for impulsivity. Neuropharmacology 2013; 76 Pt B:498-509. [PMID: 23851257 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dependence to drugs of abuse is closely associated with impulsivity, or the propensity to choose a lower, but immediate, reward over a delayed, but more valuable outcome. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies showing that striatal dopamine signaling and D2 receptor levels - which have been shown to be decreased in addiction - directly impact impulsivity, which is itself predictive of drug self-administration. Based on these studies, we propose that the alterations in D2 receptor binding and dopamine release seen in imaging studies of addiction constitute neurobiological markers of impulsivity. Recent studies in animals also show that higher striatal dopamine signaling at the D2 receptor is associated with a greater willingness to expend effort to reach goals, and we propose that this same relationship applies to humans, particularly with respect to recovery from addiction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'NIDA 40th Anniversary Issue'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Trifilieff
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive #32, New York, NY 10032, USA; Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, INRA UMR 1286, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France
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Bell RL, Sable HJ, Colombo G, Hyytia P, Rodd ZA, Lumeng L. Animal models for medications development targeting alcohol abuse using selectively bred rat lines: neurobiological and pharmacological validity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 103:119-55. [PMID: 22841890 PMCID: PMC3595005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this review paper is to present evidence that rat animal models of alcoholism provide an ideal platform for developing and screening medications that target alcohol abuse and dependence. The focus is on the 5 oldest international rat lines that have been selectively bred for a high alcohol-consumption phenotype. The behavioral and neurochemical phenotypes of these rat lines are reviewed and placed in the context of the clinical literature. The paper presents behavioral models for assessing the efficacy of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence in rodents, with particular emphasis on rats. Drugs that have been tested for their effectiveness in reducing alcohol/ethanol consumption and/or self-administration by these rat lines and their putative site of action are summarized. The paper also presents some current and future directions for developing pharmacological treatments targeting alcohol abuse and dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L. Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Helen J.K. Sable
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Petri Hyytia
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zachary A. Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lawrence Lumeng
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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31
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Groman SM, Jentsch JD. Cognitive control and the dopamine D₂-like receptor: a dimensional understanding of addiction. Depress Anxiety 2012; 29:295-306. [PMID: 22147558 DOI: 10.1002/da.20897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypic complexity of psychiatric conditions is revealed by the dimensional nature of these disorders, which consist of multiple behavioral, affective, and cognitive dysfunctions that can result in substantial psychosocial impairment. The high degree of heterogeneity in symptomatology and comorbidity suggests that simple categorical diagnoses of "affected" or "unaffected" may fail to capture the true characteristics of the disorder in a manner relevant to individualized treatment. A particular dimension of interest is cognitive control ability because impairments in the capacity to control thoughts, feelings, and actions are key to several psychiatric disorders. Here, we describe evidence suggesting that cognitive control over behavior is a crucial dimension of function relevant to addictions. Moreover, dopamine (DA) D(2)-receptor transmission is increasingly being identified as a point of convergence for these behavioral and cognitive processes. Consequently, we argue that measures of cognitive control and D(2) DA receptor function may be particularly informative markers of individual function and treatment response in addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Groman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1563, USA
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32
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Taracha E, Dyr W, Ćwiek M, Turzyńska D, Walkowiak J, Wyszogrodzka E, Kostowski W, Płaźnik A, Chrapusta SJ. Diverse behavioral, monoaminergic and Fos protein responses to opioids in Warsaw high-alcohol preferring and Warsaw low-alcohol preferring rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:588-97. [PMID: 21216264 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 12/29/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Predisposition to addictions is presumably related to a dysfunction of the brain reward system, which can be 'compensated' by the intake of different psychoactive drugs. Hence, animals showing propensity for developing dependence to a specific drug class may also be useful for modeling other addictions. We compared the effects of repeated (14 daily doses) morphine (10 mg/kg) or methadone (2 mg/kg) treatment followed by a 2-week withdrawal and a morphine challenge (5 mg/kg) on locomotor activity, brain Fos expression and selected brain regional levels of dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites in the 38th generations of selectively bred Warsaw low-alcohol-preferring (WLP) and Warsaw high-alcohol-preferring (WHP) rat lines. The rats were given the opioids during the active (i.e. dark) phase of their daily cycle. Drug-naïve WHP rats compared to their WLP counterparts showed higher locomotor activity in an open field test and higher propensity for lasting behavioral sensitization to morphine. Morphine did not significantly enhance, but suppressed Fos expression in certain brain regions of drug-naïve WLP and WHP rats. Fos expression revealed considerable differences in the responses of WLP and WHP rats to morphine challenge, particularly after methadone pretreatment. These differences were associated with differences in monoamine metabolite levels that were suggestive of elevated basal ganglia and lowered frontal cortical dopamine function, and of lowered somatosensory cortex serotonin function, in the morphine-challenged WHP rats (irrespective of the pretreatment type). Hence, the WLP/WHP line pair may be useful for the search of factors that underlie the propensity for developing opiate dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Taracha
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego St., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland.
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Smith JE, Co C, McIntosh S, Cunningham CC. Chronic binge-like moderate ethanol drinking in rats results in widespread decreases in brain serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine turnover rates reversed by ethanol intake. J Neurochem 2010; 105:2134-55. [PMID: 18284613 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05296.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This research was initiated to assess the turnover rates (TORs) of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NA), serotonin (5-HT), aspartate, glutamate, and GABA in brain regions during rodent ethanol/sucrose (EtOH) and sucrose (SUC) drinking and in animals with a history of EtOH or SUC drinking to further characterize the neuronal systems that underlie compulsive consumption. Groups of five male rats were used, with two trained to drink EtOH solutions, two to drink SUC and one to serve as a non-drinking control. When stable drinking patterns were obtained, rats were pulse labeled intravenously and killed 60 or 90 min later and the TORs of DA, norepinephrine, 5-HT, aspartate, glutamate, and GABA determined in brain regions. Changes in the TOR of 5-HT, DA, and NA were detected specific to EtOH drinking, SUC drinking or a history of EtOH or SUC drinking. An acute EtOH deprivation effect was detected that was mostly reversed with EtOH drinking. These results suggest that binge-like drinking of moderate amounts of EtOH produces a deficit in neuronal function that could set the stage for the alleviation of anhedonic stimuli with further EtOH intake that strengthen EtOH seeking behaviors which may contribute to increased EtOH use in at risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Smith
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1083, USA.
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Wenger GR, Hall CJ. Rats selectively bred for ethanol preference or nonpreference have altered working memory. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2010; 333:430-6. [PMID: 20176684 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.109.159350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To examine whether the cognitive deficit observed in chronic alcoholics is because of the chronic exposure to alcohol or to a factor that contributes to the chronic alcohol use, working memory was evaluated under a delayed matching-to-position task in rats selectively bred for ethanol preference or nonpreference (iP/iNP, iHAD1/iLAD1, and iHAD2/iLAD2). Before the study on working memory, rats were studied under a progressive ratio schedule of food presentation to determine whether differences in motivation to respond for food existed between the alcohol-preferring and -nonpreferring strains. No such differences were observed. Under the delayed matching-to-position schedule, the length of the delay was titrated such that accuracy was maintained at approximately 80%, and the mean length of the delay for each experimental session provided a measure of working memory function. In two (iP/iNP and iHAD1/iLAD1) of the three pairs of selectively bred rats, nonpreference to ethanol was associated with better working memory performance. In the third pair of selectively bred rats (iHAD2/iLAD2), the relationship was reversed, with increased ethanol preference associated with better working memory function after saline administration. After ethanol administration, both the mean delay and the rate of responding were decreased in all six strains. Based upon an ED50 analysis, there was little evidence of strain difference in sensitivity to ethanol on either parameter. Additional studies are needed to better understand the relationship between working memory and ethanol preference in these rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen R Wenger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA.
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35
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Family history of alcoholism mediates the frontal response to alcoholic drink odors and alcohol in at-risk drinkers. Neuroimage 2010; 50:267-76. [PMID: 20004725 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.11.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a family history of alcoholism is the strongest risk factor for developing alcohol dependence, there are few studies of the association between familial alcoholism and the human brain's reward system activity. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine how family history affects the brain's response to subjects' preferred alcoholic drink odors (AO) as compared to appetitive control odors (ApCO). Fourteen non-dependent heavy drinkers (HD) who were family history positive (FHP) participated, as did 12 HD who were family history negative (FHN). Subjects were imaged under both alcohol intoxication and placebo, using intravenous infusion and pharmacokinetic modeling to target a blood alcohol level of 50 mg%. Under placebo, HD-FHP had a larger medial frontal [AO>ApCO] effect than did HD-FHN. Alcohol intoxication dampened this response in the HD-FHP but potentiated it in the HD-FHN. This suggests that a family history of alcoholism and brain exposure to alcohol interact in heavy drinkers to differentially affect how the brain responds to alcohol cues.
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36
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Role of Serotonin in Brain Reward and Regulation of Alcohol Drinking Behavior. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-7339(10)70092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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37
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38
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Campbell JC, Szumlinski KK, Kippin TE. Contribution of early environmental stress to alcoholism vulnerability. Alcohol 2009; 43:547-54. [PMID: 19913199 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2009.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Revised: 05/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The most problematic aspects of alcohol abuse disorder are excessive alcohol consumption and the inability to refrain from alcohol consumption during attempted abstinence. The root causes that predispose certain individuals to these problems are poorly understood but are believed to be produced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Early environmental trauma alters neurodevelopmental trajectories that can predispose an individual to a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including substance abuse. Prenatal stress (PNS) is a well-established protocol that produces perturbations in nervous system development, resulting in behavioral alterations that include hyperresponsiveness to stress, novelty, and psychomotor stimulant drugs (e.g., cocaine, amphetamine). Moreover, PNS animals exhibit enduring alterations in basal and cocaine-induced changes in dopamine and glutamate transmission within limbic structures, which exhibit pathology in drug addiction and alcoholism, suggesting that these alterations may contribute to an increased propensity to self-administer large amounts of drugs of abuse or to relapse after periods of drug withdrawal. Given that cocaine and alcohol have actions on common limbic neural substrates (albeit by different mechanisms), we hypothesized that PNS would elevate the motivation for, and consumption of, alcohol. Accordingly, we have found that male C57BL/6J mice subject to PNS exhibit higher operant responding and consume more alcohol during alcohol reinforcement as adults. Alterations in glutamate and dopamine neurotransmission within the forebrain structures appear to contribute to the PNS-induced predisposition to high alcohol intake and are induced by excessive alcohol intake. Accordingly, we are exploring the interactions between neurochemical changes produced by PNS and changes induced by consumption of alcohol in adulthood to model the biological bases of high vulnerability to alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joannalee C Campbell
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
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Bustamante D, Quintanilla ME, Tampier L, Gonzalez-Lira V, Israel Y, Herrera-Marschitz M. Ethanol induces stronger dopamine release in nucleus accumbens (shell) of alcohol-preferring (bibulous) than in alcohol-avoiding (abstainer) rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2008; 591:153-8. [PMID: 18611399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Revised: 06/16/2008] [Accepted: 06/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Several studies on the differences between ethanol-preferring versus non-preferring rat lines suggest an innate deficit in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system as an underlying factor for ethanol volition. Rats would try to overcome such deficit by engaging in a drug-seeking behaviour, when available, to drink an ethanol solution over water. Thus, in the present study we compared the effect of a single dose of ethanol (1 g/kg, i.p.) on the extracellular levels of monoamines measured by microdialysis in the shell of nucleus accumbens of University of Chile bibulous (UChB) and University of Chile Abstainer (UChA) rats, bred for 79 and 88 generations to prefer or reject ethanol, respectively. It is reported that under basal conditions extracellular dopamine levels are lower in the bibulous than in the abstainer rats, while ethanol induced a 2-fold greater increase of dopamine release in bibulous than in abstainer rats. The greater effect of ethanol in bibulous rats was not associated to differences in blood ethanol levels, since the concentration and elimination of ethanol were virtually identical in both rat lines, indicating that bibulous rats are more sensitive to the stimulation of dopamine release by ethanol than abstainer rats. No differences were observed in 5-hydroxytryptamine or metabolites measured simultaneously under basal or ethanol-stimulating conditions in bibulous and abstainer rats. Overall, the present results suggest that a low dopaminergic tone and a strong mesolimbic dopamine response to ethanol are concerted neurochemical features associated to an ethanol-seeking behaviour in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Bustamante
- Programme of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 7, Chile
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40
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Warsaw high-preferring (WHP) and Warsaw low-preferring (WLP) lines of rats selectively bred for high and low voluntary ethanol intake: preliminary phenotypic characterization. Alcohol 2008; 42:161-70. [PMID: 18420111 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2008.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2007] [Revised: 01/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The Warsaw High Preferring (WHP) and Warsaw Low Preferring (WLP) lines were bred from Wistar foundation stock to obtain lines of rats that differ in their preference for ethanol solutions. The WHP line has met several major criteria for an animal model of alcoholism. The WHP rats voluntarily drink excessive amounts of ethanol while the WLP rats consume negligible amounts of ethanol. The WHP rats attain physiologically active blood ethanol concentrations with chronic free-choice drinking. They also develop subtle but visible signs of physical dependence (the withdrawal signs). The patterns of ethanol consumption in WHP and WLP lines are stable in time and independent of the manner of access to ethanol solutions. Notably, when exposed to the increasing ethanol concentrations WHP rats gradually increased total ethanol intake whereas the WLP rats consumed invariably very low amounts of ethanol. Furthermore, the WHP rats show an increased responsiveness to the stimulatory effects of low dose of ethanol.
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Kapasova Z, Szumlinski KK. Strain differences in alcohol-induced neurochemical plasticity: a role for accumbens glutamate in alcohol intake. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2008; 32:617-31. [PMID: 18341649 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2008.00620.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated alcohol administration alters nucleus accumbens (NAC) basal glutamate content and sensitizes the capacity of alcohol to increase NAC extracellular glutamate levels. However, the relevance of alcohol-induced changes in NAC glutamate for alcohol drinking behavior is under-investigated. METHODS To examine the relationship between genetic variance in alcohol consumption and alcohol-induced neuroadaptations within the NAC, in vivo microdialysis was conducted in the alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J (B6) and alcohol-avoiding DBA2/J (D2) mouse strains on injections 1 and 8 of repeated alcohol treatment (8 x 2 g/kg, IP). To confirm an active role for NAC glutamate in regulating alcohol drinking behavior, the glutamate reuptake inhibitor dl-threo-beta-benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA) (300 microM) and the Group 2 metabotropic glutamate autoreceptor agonist (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (APDC) (50 microM) were infused into the NAC of B6 and D2 mice prior to alcohol consumption in a 4 bottle-choice test. RESULTS While strain differences were not apparent for NAC basal levels of dopamine, serotonin or gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), repeated alcohol treatment elevated NAC basal glutamate content only in B6 mice. Strain differences in both the acute and the sensitized neurochemical responses to 2 g/kg alcohol were observed for all neurotransmitters examined. While the alcohol-induced rise in NAC dopamine and glutamate levels sensitized in B6 mice, a sensitization was not observed in D2 animals. Moreover, B6 mice exhibited a sensitized serotonin and GABA response to alcohol followed repeated treatment, whereas neither tolerance nor sensitization was observed in D2 animals. An intra-NAC APDC infusion reduced alcohol intake in both B6 and D2 mice by approximately 50%. In contrast, TBOA infusion elevated alcohol intake selectively in B6 mice. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate an active role for NAC glutamate in regulating alcohol consumption in mice and support the hypothesis that predisposition to high alcohol intake involves genetic factors that facilitate alcohol-induced adaptations in glutamate release within the NAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Kapasova
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9660, USA
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42
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Bice PJ, Liang T, Zhang L, Strother WN, Carr LG. Drd2 expression in the high alcohol-preferring and low alcohol-preferring mice. Mamm Genome 2008; 19:69-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00335-007-9089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2007] [Accepted: 12/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Quintanilla ME, Bustamante D, Tampier L, Israel Y, Herrera-Marschitz M. Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (shell) of two lines of rats selectively bred to prefer or avoid ethanol. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 573:84-92. [PMID: 17651729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2007] [Revised: 06/14/2007] [Accepted: 06/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lower tissue levels of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) have been found in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-naïve rats selectively bred to prefer ethanol than in rats bred to avoid it. These findings have led to the hypothesis that differences in the dopamine and 5-HT tone may be linked to ethanol preference. In the present study we used the in vivo microdialysis technique to determine the actual extracellular levels of dopamine, its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetaldehyde (DOPALD), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the shell of nucleus accumbens of rat lines selectively bred as either high-ethanol (UChB) or low-ethanol (UChA) drinkers. Basal extracellular levels of dopamine, DOPALD, DOPAC and HVA were lower in the shell of nucleus accumbens of ethanol-naïve UChB than in UChA rats. In agreement, when perfused with 100 microM d-amphetamine or 100 mM KCl lower dopamine increases were observed in nucleus accumbens of UChB rats compared to UChA rats, indicating lower cytosolic (d-amphetamine releasable) and vesicular (KCl releasable) dopamine pools in UChB animals. Since the experiments were performed in ethanol-naïve rats, the present results suggest an innate deficiency in the mesolimbic dopamine system of UChB rats. There were no line differences in basal, d-amphetamine or KCl stimulated 5-HT levels. Thus, the present findings support a role of dopamine, but not of 5-HT, as predictor of ethanol preference in UChB rats. Overall, data obtained are in agreement with previous reports in other rat lines showing that lower dopamine levels and its metabolites are associated with a genetic predisposition to ethanol preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elena Quintanilla
- Programme of Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine; PO Box 70,000 Santiago 7, Chile.
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44
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Weiss JM, West CHK, Emery MS, Bonsall RW, Moore JP, Boss-Williams KA. Rats selectively-bred for behavior related to affective disorders: proclivity for intake of alcohol and drugs of abuse, and measures of brain monoamines. Biochem Pharmacol 2007; 75:134-59. [PMID: 18053966 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2007] [Revised: 09/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of rats potentially useful for studying affective disorders have been developed in our laboratory though selective breeding for behavioral characteristics. The propensity of these lines to consume alcohol and other drugs of abuse (amphetamine and cocaine) was examined. Also, measurement of the concentration of brain monoamines - norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin - as well as estimation of their metabolism by measurement of the major extracellular metabolites of these monoamines was carried out to examine possible relationships of brain chemistry to the behavioral characteristics shown by these lines, as well as to their propensity for drug usage. The lines of rats are: Swim Low-active (SwLo) and Swim High-active (SwHi), which show either very low (SwLo) or very high (SwHi) amounts of motor activity in a swim test; Swim-test Susceptible (Susceptible or SUS) and Swim-test Resistant (Resistant or RES), which are highly susceptible (SUS) or highly resistant (RES) to having their swim-test activity depressed by being exposed to a stressful condition prior to the swim test; and Hyperactive (HYPER), which show spontaneous nocturnal hyperactivity compared to non-selectively bred (i.e., normal) rats as well as both extreme hyperactivity and behavioral depression after being exposed to a stressful condition. Regarding alcohol and drug usage, SUS rats readily consume alcohol while all other lines including non-selected, normal rats do not, and SwLo rats show a strong tendency to consume amphetamine and cocaine. Marked differences in brain monoamines were found between the various lines and normal rats, with salient differences seen in norepinephrine, particularly in the hippocampus, and in dopamine in forebrain regions (striatum and nucleus accumbens).
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Kampman KM, Pettinati HM, Lynch KG, Whittingham T, Macfadden W, Dackis C, Tirado C, Oslin DW, Sparkman T, O'Brien CP. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of quetiapine for the treatment of Type A and Type B alcoholism. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2007; 27:344-51. [PMID: 17632217 PMCID: PMC3193934 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e3180ca86e5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical antipsychotics may be useful in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Human trials suggest that atypical antipsychotics may reduce alcohol craving and consumption, especially among patients with comorbid psychopathology. Therefore, these medications may be more useful for treating more severely affected alcoholics, such as patients with Type B alcoholism. Type B alcoholics are characterized by an early age of onset of problem drinking, high severity of alcohol dependence, increased psychopathology, and treatment-resistance. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic with a favorable side effect profile, and may be a promising medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence, particularly Type B alcoholism. METHODS Male and female alcoholics (33 Type A and 28 Type B) were included in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After detoxification, patients were randomized to receive quetiapine (n = 29), 400 mg/d at bedtime, or placebo (n = 32). The primary outcome measure was the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, measured by the timeline follow back. RESULTS Forty-seven patients (77%) completed the trial, with no significant between-group differences in treatment retention. Nine quetiapine-treated patients (31%) maintained complete abstinence compared with 2 placebo-treated patients (6%) (chi(2) = 6.3, P = 0.012). There was a significant interaction between quetiapine and alcoholic subtype. As predicted, quetiapine- versus placebo-treated Type B alcoholics had significantly fewer days of drinking and fewer days of heavy drinking. Alcohol craving was also significantly reduced in quetiapine-treated compared with placebo-treated Type B alcoholics. Among Type A alcoholics, quetiapine provided no advantage over placebo in improving drinking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Quetiapine may be effective for the treatment of alcohol dependence, particularly in the more complicated Type B, early-onset alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Kampman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Boyce-Rustay JM, Wiedholz LM, Millstein RA, Carroll J, Murphy DL, Daws LC, Holmes A. Ethanol-related behaviors in serotonin transporter knockout mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007; 30:1957-65. [PMID: 17117959 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00241.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence supports a role for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) in modulating the neural and behavioral actions of ethanol (EtOH) and other drugs of abuse. METHODS We used a 5-HTT knockout (KO) mouse model to further study this relationship. 5-Hydroxytryptamine transporter KO mice were tested for the sedative/hypnotic, hypothermia-inducing, motor-incoordinating (via accelerating rotarod), and depression-related (via tail suspension test) effects of acute EtOH administration. Reward-related effects of EtOH were assessed in 5-HTT KO mice using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. 5-Hydroxytryptamine transporter KO mice were tested for voluntary consumption of EtOH in a modified 2-bottle choice test that measured the temporal organization of drinking over the circadian cycle via "lickometers." RESULTS Replicating previous findings, 5-HTT KO mice exhibited significantly increased sensitivity to EtOH-induced sedation/hypnosis relative to wild-type controls. Additionally, 5-HTT KO mice showed motor-coordination deficits at baseline and in response to EtOH. Hypothermic, pro-depressive-like, and reward-related effects of EtOH were no different across genotypes. Gross EtOH consumption was modestly reduced in 5-HTT KO mice, due to significantly lesser consumption during the peak period of drinking in the early dark phase. CONCLUSIONS Data extend the finding that loss of 5-HTT gene function alters certain neural and behavioral effects of EtOH, with implications for better understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janel M Boyce-Rustay
- Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
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Carroll MR, Rodd ZA, Murphy JM, Simon JR. Chronic ethanol consumption increases dopamine uptake in the nucleus accumbens of high alcohol drinking rats. Alcohol 2006; 40:103-9. [PMID: 17307646 PMCID: PMC1839919 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2006.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2006] [Revised: 10/12/2006] [Accepted: 10/13/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Past research has indicated that chronic ethanol exposure enhances dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in several brain regions. The present study examined the effects of chronic ethanol drinking on dopamine transporter (DAT) function in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) of High-Alcohol-Drinking replicate line 1 (HAD-1) rats. HAD rats were given concurrent 24-h access to 15% ethanol and water or water alone for 8 weeks. Subsequently, DA uptake and the V(max) of the DAT were compared between the two groups using homogenates of the nucleus accumbens. DA uptake was measured following a 2 min incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of 8 nM [(3)H]DA. For kinetic analyses, DA uptake was assessed in the presence of 5 concentrations of [(3)H]DA ranging from 8 nM to 500 nM. Analyses of the data revealed a significant increase in DA uptake in the ethanol group compared to water controls. Kinetic analyses revealed the change in DA uptake to be a consequence of an increase in the V(max) of transport. These findings demonstrate that chronic free-choice oral ethanol consumption in HAD-1 female rats increases DA uptake in the Acb by increasing the V(max) of the transporter. However, it is not known whether the ethanol-induced change in V(max) is caused by differences in the actual number of available transporter sites or from a difference in the velocity of operation of a similar number of transporters. Overall, the data indicate that chronic ethanol consumption by HAD-1 rats produces prolonged neuroadaptations within the mesolimbic DA system, which may be important for the understanding of the neurobiological basis of alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R. Carroll
- Program in Psychobiology of Addictions, Department of Psychology, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Zachary A. Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - James M. Murphy
- Program in Psychobiology of Addictions, Department of Psychology, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jay R. Simon
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Kosobud AEK, Kebabian CE, Rebec GV. Nitrous oxide acutely suppresses ethanol consumption in HAD and P rats. Int J Neurosci 2006; 116:835-45. [PMID: 16861149 DOI: 10.1080/00207450600754079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been reported to reduce post-withdrawal craving in alcoholic humans, aiding in their continued abstinence. This article assessed the ability of N2O to suppress alcohol drinking in genetically selected high alcohol-drinking (HAD) and alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Although water was available ad libitum, they were accustomed to a limited access (1 h/day) choice between 10% ethanol (EtOH) and water. When drinking stabilized, the rats were exposed for 30, 60, or 120 min to a mixture of N2O and pure oxygen, timed to end 1 h before the limited access. N2O suppressed EtOH consumption at 1, but not 25 h after exposure in both HAD and P rats. This result is consistent with the efficacy of N2O for acute reduction of EtOH drinking, and supports further research into the use of N2O as an adjunct to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E K Kosobud
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Morzorati SL, Marunde RL. Comparison of VTA dopamine neuron activity in lines of rats selectively bred to prefer or avoid alcohol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2006; 30:991-7. [PMID: 16737457 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00113.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies comparing alcohol-naive alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rats indicate that high alcohol drinking is associated with an innate deficiency of the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system. We previously reported that ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons in alcohol-naive P rats burst fire more frequently than VTA DA neurons in alcohol-naive Wistar rats. We hypothesized that increased burst firing in P rats may represent a compensatory mechanism to maintain adequate levels of DA in terminal areas, such as the nucleus accumbens, despite the deficient mesolimbic DA system. The present study sought to extend our previous work and include NP rats and to determine whether differences in VTA DA neuron activity could be generalized to other rat lines selected for high and low alcohol preference, namely the high (HAD) and low (LAD) alcohol-drinking rats. METHODS The extracellular activity of posterior VTA DA neurons was recorded in unanesthetized alcohol-naive rats from the P/NP and HAD/LAD lines. Firing frequencies, burst activity, and the number of DA neurons encountered per electrode track were compared. RESULTS Dopamine neurons in the posterior VTA of P rats had a greater percentage of action potentials in bursts and greater number of bursts compared with posterior VTA DA neurons in NP rats. There were no differences in VTA DA neuronal activity between both replicate lines of HAD and LAD rats. CONCLUSIONS Burst activity of posterior VTA DA neurons distinguishes P from NP rats, but does not generalize to other lines of rats selectively bred at Indiana University for alcohol preference and nonpreference. Increased burst activity of DA neurons in the posterior VTA may be related to alcohol preference in P rats but is not necessary for high alcohol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra L Morzorati
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
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Bell RL, Rodd ZA, Lumeng L, Murphy JM, McBride WJ. The alcohol-preferring P rat and animal models of excessive alcohol drinking. Addict Biol 2006; 11:270-88. [PMID: 16961759 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2005.00029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The alcohol-preferring, P, rat was developed by selective breeding to study ethanol drinking behavior and its consequences. Characterization of this line indicates the P rat meets all of the criteria put forth for a valid animal model of alcoholism, and displays, relative to their alcohol-non-preferring, NP, counterparts, a number of phenotypic traits associated with alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Behaviorally, compared with NP rats, P rats are less sensitive to the sedative and aversive effects of ethanol and more sensitive to the stimulatory effects of ethanol. Neurochemically, research with the P line indicates the endogenous dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic, opiodergic, and peptidergic systems may be involved in a predisposition for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Paralleling the clinical literature, genetically selected P rats display levels of ethanol intake during adolescence comparable to that seen during adulthood. Binge drinking has been associated with an increased risk for health and other problems associated with ethanol abuse. A model of binge-like drinking during the dark cycle indicates that P rats will consume 6 g/kg/day of ethanol in as little as three 1-hour access periods/day, which approximates the 24-hour intake of P rats with free-choice access to a single concentration of ethanol. The alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) is a transient increase in ethanol intake above baseline values upon re-exposure to ethanol access after an extended period of deprivation. The ADE has been proposed to be an animal model of relapse behavior, with the adult P rat displaying a robust ADE after prolonged abstinence. Overall, these findings indicate that the P rat can be effectively used in models assessing alcohol-preference, a genetic predisposition for alcohol abuse and/or alcoholism, and excessive drinking using protocols of binge-like or relapse-like drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA.
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