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Jones G, Ricard JA, Hendricks P, Simonsson O. Associations between MDMA/ecstasy use and physical health in a U.S. population-based survey sample. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1129-1135. [PMID: 36189781 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221127318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/"ecstasy") is an empathogen that can give rise to increased pleasure and empathy and may effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Although prior research has demonstrated associations between ecstasy use and favorable mental health outcomes, the associations between ecstasy and physical health have largely been unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the associations between ecstasy use and physical health in a population-based survey sample. METHOD This study utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2018), a yearly survey that collects information on substance use and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We used multinomial, ordered, and logistic regression models to test the associations between lifetime ecstasy use and various markers of physical health (self-reported body mass index, overall health, past year heart condition and/or cancer, past year heart disease, past year hypertension, and past year diabetes), controlling for a range of potential confounders. RESULTS Lifetime ecstasy use was associated with significantly lower risk of self-reported overweightness and obesity (adjusted relative risk ratio range: 0.55-0.88) and lower odds of self-reported past year heart condition and/or cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.67), hypertension (aOR: 0.85), and diabetes (aOR: 0.58). Ecstasy use was also associated with significantly higher odds of better self-reported overall health (aOR: 1.18). CONCLUSION Ecstasy shares protective associations with various physical health markers. Future longitudinal studies and clinical trials are needed to more rigorously test these associations.
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Signatures of TSPAN8 variants associated with human metabolic regulation and diseases. iScience 2021; 24:102893. [PMID: 34401672 PMCID: PMC8355918 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, with the example of common copy number variation (CNV) in the TSPAN8 gene, we present an important piece of work in the field of CNV detection, that is, CNV association with complex human traits such as 1H NMR metabolomic phenotypes and an example of functional characterization of CNVs among human induced pluripotent stem cells (HipSci). We report TSPAN8 exon 11 (ENSE00003720745) as a pleiotropic locus associated with metabolomic regulation and show that its biology is associated with several metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancer. Our results further demonstrate the power of multivariate association models over univariate methods and define metabolomic signatures for variants in TSPAN8.
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Converging vulnerability factors for compulsive food and drug use. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108556. [PMID: 33862029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Highly palatable foods and substance of abuse have intersecting neurobiological, metabolic and behavioral effects relevant for understanding vulnerability to conditions related to food (e.g., obesity, binge eating disorder) and drug (e.g., substance use disorder) misuse. Here, we review data from animal models, clinical populations and epidemiological evidence in behavioral, genetic, pathophysiologic and therapeutic domains. Results suggest that consumption of highly palatable food and drugs of abuse both impact and conversely are regulated by metabolic hormones and metabolic status. Palatable foods high in fat and/or sugar can elicit adaptation in brain reward and withdrawal circuitry akin to substances of abuse. Intake of or withdrawal from palatable food can impact behavioral sensitivity to drugs of abuse and vice versa. A robust literature suggests common substrates and roles for negative reinforcement, negative affect, negative urgency, and impulse control deficits, with both highly palatable foods and substances of abuse. Candidate genetic risk loci shared by obesity and alcohol use disorders have been identified in molecules classically associated with both metabolic and motivational functions. Finally, certain drugs may have overlapping therapeutic potential to treat obesity, diabetes, binge-related eating disorders and substance use disorders. Taken together, data are consistent with the hypotheses that compulsive food and substance use share overlapping, interacting substrates at neurobiological and metabolic levels and that motivated behavior associated with feeding or substance use might constitute vulnerability factors for one another. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Colucci P, Santori A, Romanelli L, Zwergel C, Mai A, Scaccianoce S, Campolongo P. Amphetamine Modulation of Long-Term Object Recognition Memory in Rats: Influence of Stress. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:644521. [PMID: 33716754 PMCID: PMC7943736 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.644521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphetamine is a potent psychostimulant that increases brain monoamine levels. Extensive evidence demonstrated that norepinephrine is crucially involved in the regulation of memory consolidation for stressful experiences. Here, we investigated amphetamine effects on the consolidation of long-term recognition memory in rats exposed to different intensities of forced swim stress immediately after training. Furthermore, we evaluated whether such effects are dependent on the activation of the peripheral adrenergic system. To this aim, male adult Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to an object recognition task and intraperitoneally administered soon after training with amphetamine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or its corresponding vehicle. Rats were thereafter exposed to a mild (1 min, 25 ± 1°C) or strong (5 min, 19 ± 1°C) forced swim stress procedure. Recognition memory retention was assessed 24-h after training. Our findings showed that amphetamine enhances the consolidation of memory in rats subjected to mild stress condition, while it impairs long-term memory performance in rats exposed to strong stress. These dichotomic effects is dependent on stress-induced activation of the peripheral adrenergic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Colucci
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Santori
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Romanelli
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Dept. of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Dept. of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Caravaggio F, Borlido C, Hahn M, Feng Z, Fervaha G, Gerretsen P, Nakajima S, Plitman E, Chung JK, Iwata Y, Wilson A, Remington G, Graff-Guerrero A. Reduced insulin sensitivity is related to less endogenous dopamine at D2/3 receptors in the ventral striatum of healthy nonobese humans. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv014. [PMID: 25716779 PMCID: PMC4540108 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food addiction is a debated topic in neuroscience. Evidence suggests diabetes is related to reduced basal dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, similar to persons with drug addiction. It is unknown whether insulin sensitivity is related to endogenous dopamine levels in the ventral striatum of humans. We examined this using the agonist dopamine D2/3 receptor radiotracer [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO and an acute dopamine depletion challenge. In a separate sample of healthy persons, we examined whether dopamine depletion could alter insulin sensitivity. METHODS Insulin sensitivity was estimated for each subject from fasting plasma glucose and insulin using the Homeostasis Model Assessment II. Eleven healthy nonobese and nondiabetic persons (3 female) provided a baseline [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO scan, 9 of which provided a scan under dopamine depletion, allowing estimates of endogenous dopamine at dopamine D2/3 receptor. Dopamine depletion was achieved via alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (64mg/kg, P.O.). In 25 healthy persons (9 female), fasting plasma and glucose was acquired before and after dopamine depletion. RESULTS Endogenous dopamine at ventral striatum dopamine D2/3 receptor was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r(7)=.84, P=.005) and negatively correlated with insulin levels (r(7)=-.85, P=.004). Glucose levels were not correlated with endogenous dopamine at ventral striatum dopamine D2/3 receptor (r(7)=-.49, P=.18). Consistently, acute dopamine depletion in healthy persons significantly decreased insulin sensitivity (t(24)=2.82, P=.01), increased insulin levels (t(24)=-2.62, P=.01), and did not change glucose levels (t(24)=-0.93, P=.36). CONCLUSION In healthy individuals, diminished insulin sensitivity is related to less endogenous dopamine at dopamine D2/3 receptor in the ventral striatum. Moreover, acute dopamine depletion reduces insulin sensitivity. These findings may have important implications for neuropsychiatric populations with metabolic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ariel Graff-Guerrero
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Mr Caravaggio, Ms Borlido, Ms Feng, Dr Gerretsen, Dr Nakajima, Mr Plitman, Mr Chung, Dr Iwata, Dr Wilson, Dr Remington, and Dr Graff-Guerrero); Institute of Medical Science (Mr Caravaggio, Dr Hahn, Mr Fervaha, Dr Gerretsen, Mr Plitman, Mr Chung, Dr Wilson, Dr Remington, and Dr Graff-Guerrero), and Department of Psychiatry (Drs Hahn, Gerretsen, Nakajima, Iwata, Wilson, Remington, and Graff-Guerrero), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Sotomayor-Zárate R, Jara P, Araos P, Vinet R, Quiroz G, Renard GM, Espinosa P, Hurtado-Guzmán C, Moya PR, Iturriaga-Vásquez P, Gysling K, Reyes-Parada M. Improving Amphetamine Therapeutic Selectivity:N,N-dimethyl-MTA has Dopaminergic Effects and does not Produce Aortic Contraction. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2013; 114:395-9. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Centro de Neurobiología y Plasticidad Cerebral; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Valparaíso; Valparaíso Chile
- Millennium Science Nucleus in Stress and Addiction; Faculty of Biological Sciences; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Pablo Jara
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biology; University of Santiago de Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Patricio Araos
- Centro Regional de Estudios en Alimentos y Salud (CREAS); Región de Valparaíso Chile
| | - Raúl Vinet
- Centro Regional de Estudios en Alimentos y Salud (CREAS); Región de Valparaíso Chile
- Laboratorio de Farmacología y Bioquímica; Facultad de Farmacia; Universidad de Valparaíso; Valparaíso Chile
| | - Gabriel Quiroz
- Department of Chemistry; Faculty of Sciences; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Georgina M. Renard
- Centro de Neurobiología y Plasticidad Cerebral; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Valparaíso; Valparaíso Chile
| | - Pedro Espinosa
- Centro de Neurobiología y Plasticidad Cerebral; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Valparaíso; Valparaíso Chile
| | | | - Pablo R. Moya
- Centro de Neurobiología y Plasticidad Cerebral; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Valparaíso; Valparaíso Chile
| | | | - Katia Gysling
- Millennium Science Nucleus in Stress and Addiction; Faculty of Biological Sciences; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Miguel Reyes-Parada
- School of Medicine; Faculty of Medical Sciences; University of Santiago de Chile; Santiago Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Universidad Autónoma de Chile; Santiago Chile
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Hsieh YS, Chen PN, Yu CH, Liao JM, Kuo DY. The neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor knockdown modulates activator protein 1-involved feeding behavior in amphetamine-treated rats. Mol Brain 2013; 6:46. [PMID: 24225225 PMCID: PMC4226007 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-6-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and two immediate early genes, c-fos and c-jun, have been found to be involved in regulating the appetite-suppressing effect of amphetamine (AMPH). The present study investigated whether cerebral catecholamine (CA) might regulate NPY and POMC expression and whether NPY Y1 receptor (Y1R) participated in activator protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated feeding. METHODS Rats were given AMPH daily for 4 days. Changes in the expression of NPY, Y1R, c-Fos, c-Jun, and AP-1 were assessed and compared. RESULTS Decreased CA could modulate NPY and melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) expressions. NPY and food intake decreased the most on Day 2, but Y1R, c-Fos, and c-Jun increased by approximately 350%, 280%, and 300%, respectively, on Day 2. Similarly, AP-1/DNA binding activity was increased by about 180% on Day 2. The expression patterns in Y1R, c-Fos, c-Jun, and AP-1/DNA binding were opposite to those in NPY during AMPH treatment. Y1R knockdown was found to modulate the opposite regulation between NPY and AP-1, revealing an involvement of Y1R in regulating NPY/AP-1-mediated feeding. CONCLUSIONS These results point to a molecular mechanism of CA/NPY/Y1R/AP-1 signaling in the control of AMPH-mediated anorexia and may advance the medical research of anorectic and anti-obesity drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yih-Shou Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ni Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Han Yu
- Department of Physiology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
| | - Jiuan-Miaw Liao
- Department of Physiology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
| | - Dong-Yih Kuo
- Department of Physiology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
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Kuo DY, Chen PN, Kuo MH, Chen CH, Hsieh YS, Chu SC. NF-κB knockdown can modulate amphetamine-mediated feeding response. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:1684-94. [PMID: 22182781 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study determined if transcription factor NF-κB is involved in the effect of amphetamine (AMPH)-mediated feeding response. Moreover, possible roles of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) were also investigated. AMPH was administered daily to rats for four days. Changes in NF-κB, NPY and POMC expression were assessed and compared. The NPY gene was down-regulated with maximal response on Day 2 during AMPH treatment, which was consistent with the response to feeding behavior. In contrast, NF-κB and POMC genes were up-regulated, and their expression was increased by about 200% and 450%, respectively, with maximal response on Day 2. Moreover, NF-κB DNA binding ability and expression were increased similar to that of POMC. To examine further if NF-κB was involved, intracerebroventricular infusion of NF-κB antisense oligonucleotide was performed 1 h before the daily AMPH dosing in freely moving rats. Results showed that NF-κB knockdown could modify AMPH anorexia as well as NPY and POMC expression. The present findings prove that cerebral NF-κB participates in AMPH-mediated appetite suppression, possibly by modulating NPY and POMC expression. These results may aid in therapeutic research on AMPH and AMPH-like anti-obesity drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Yih Kuo
- Department of Physiology, Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan, ROC.
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Hsieh YS, Yang SF, Chen PN, Chu SC, Chen CH, Kuo DY. Knocking down the transcript of protein kinase C-lambda modulates hypothalamic glutathione peroxidase, melanocortin receptor and neuropeptide Y gene expression in amphetamine-treated rats. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25:982-94. [PMID: 20817751 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110376692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It has been reported that neuropeptide Y (NPY) contributes to the behavioral response of amphetamine (AMPH), a psychostimulant. The present study examined whether protein kinase C (PKC)-λ signaling was involved in this action. Moreover, possible roles of glutathione peroxidase (GP) and melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) were also examined. Rats were given AMPH daily for 4 days. Hypothalamic NPY, PKCλ, GP and MC4R were determined and compared. Pretreatment with α-methyl-para-tyrosine could block AMPH-induced anorexia, revealing that endogenous catecholamine was involved in regulating AMPH anorexia. PKCλ, GP and MC4R were increased with maximal response on Day 2 during AMPH treatment, which were concomitant with the decreases in NPY. cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) DNA binding activity was increased during AMPH treatment, revealing the involvement of CREB-dependent gene transcription. An interruption of cerebral PKCλ transcript could partly block AMPH-induced anorexia and partly reverse NPY, MC4R and GP mRNA levels to normal. These results suggest that PKCλ participates in regulating AMPH-induced anorexia via a modulation of hypothalamic NPY gene expression and that increases of GP and MC4R may contribute to this modulation. Our results provided molecular evidence for the regulation of AMPH-induced behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yih-Shou Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Daws LC, Avison MJ, Robertson SD, Niswender KD, Galli A, Saunders C. Insulin signaling and addiction. Neuropharmacology 2011; 61:1123-8. [PMID: 21420985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Across species, the brain evolved to respond to natural rewards such as food and sex. These physiological responses are important for survival, reproduction and evolutionary processes. It is no surprise, therefore, that many of the neural circuits and signaling pathways supporting reward processes are conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to Drosophilae, to rats, monkeys and humans. The central role of dopamine (DA) in encoding reward and in attaching salience to external environmental cues is well recognized. Less widely recognized is the role of reporters of the "internal environment", particularly insulin, in the modulation of reward. Insulin has traditionally been considered an important signaling molecule in regulating energy homeostasis and feeding behavior rather than a major component of neural reward circuits. However, research over recent decades has revealed that DA and insulin systems do not operate in isolation from each other, but instead, work together to orchestrate both the motivation to engage in consummatory behavior and to calibrate the associated level of reward. Insulin signaling has been found to regulate DA neurotransmission and to affect the ability of drugs that target the DA system to exert their neurochemical and behavioral effects. Given that many abused drugs target the DA system, the elucidation of how dopaminergic, as well as other brain reward systems, are regulated by insulin will create opportunities to develop therapies for drug and potentially food addiction. Moreover, a more complete understanding of the relationship between DA neurotransmission and insulin may help to uncover etiological bases for "food addiction" and the growing epidemic of obesity. This review focuses on the role of insulin signaling in regulating DA homeostasis and DA signaling, and the potential impact of impaired insulin signaling in obesity and psychostimulant abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynette C Daws
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Comparison of individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder. A randomized, three-year follow-up study. Appetite 2010; 55:656-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2010.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2010] [Revised: 09/12/2010] [Accepted: 09/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Krasnova IN, Justinova Z, Ladenheim B, Jayanthi S, McCoy MT, Barnes C, Warner JE, Goldberg SR, Cadet JL. Methamphetamine self-administration is associated with persistent biochemical alterations in striatal and cortical dopaminergic terminals in the rat. PLoS One 2010; 5:e8790. [PMID: 20098750 PMCID: PMC2808335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Accepted: 12/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (meth) is an illicit psychostimulant that is abused throughout the world. Repeated passive injections of the drug given in a single day or over a few days cause significant and long-term depletion of dopamine and serotonin in the mammalian brain. Because meth self-administration may better mimic some aspects of human drug-taking behaviors, we examined to what extent this pattern of drug treatment might also result in damage to monoaminergic systems in the brain. Rats were allowed to intravenously self-administer meth (yoked control rats received vehicle) 15 hours per day for 8 days before being euthanized at either 24 hours or at 7 and 14 days after cessation of drug taking. Meth self-administration by the rats was associated with a progressive escalation of daily drug intake to 14 mg/kg per day. Animals that self-administered meth exhibited dose-dependent decreases in striatal dopamine levels during the period of observation. In addition, there were significant reductions in the levels of striatal dopamine transporter and tyrosine hydroxylase proteins. There were also significant decreases in the levels of dopamine, dopamine transporter, and tyrosine hydroxylase in the cortex. In contrast, meth self-administration caused only transient decreases in norepinephrine and serotonin levels in the two brain regions, with these values returning to normal at seven days after cessation of drug taking. Importantly, meth self-administration was associated with significant dose-dependent increases in glial fibrillary acidic protein in both striatum and cortex, with these changes being of greater magnitude in the striatum. These results suggest that meth self-administration by rats is associated with long-term biochemical changes that are reminiscent of those observed in post-mortem brain tissues of chronic meth abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina N. Krasnova
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zuzana Justinova
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael T. McCoy
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chanel Barnes
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John E. Warner
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven R. Goldberg
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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