1
|
Smith BL, Hassler A, Lloyd KR, Reyes TM. Perinatal morphine but not buprenorphine affects gestational and offspring neurobehavioral outcomes in mice. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:292-304. [PMID: 37981055 PMCID: PMC10842910 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Within the national opioid epidemic, there has been an increase in the number of infants exposed to opioids in utero. Additionally, opioid agonist medications are the standard of care for women with opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Buprenorphine (BUP), a partial µ -opioid receptor agonist, has been successful in improving gestational and neonatal outcomes. However, in utero exposure has been linked to childhood cognitive and behavioral problems. Therefore, we sought to compare offspring cognitive and behavioral outcomes after prenatal exposure to a clinically relevant low dose of BUP compared to morphine (MO), a full µ -opioid receptor agonist and immediate metabolite of heroin. We used a mouse model to assess gestational and offspring outcomes. Mouse dams were injected once daily s.c. with saline (SAL, n = 12), MO (10 mg/kg, n = 15), or BUP (0.1 mg/kg, n = 16) throughout pre-gestation, gestation, and lactation until offspring were weaned on postnatal day (P)21. Offspring social interaction and exploratory behavior were assessed, along with executive function via the touchscreen 5 choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). We then quantified P1 brain gene expression in the frontal cortex and amygdala (AMG). Perinatal MO but not BUP exposure decreased gestational weight gain and was associated with dystocia. In adolescent offspring, perinatal MO but not BUP exposure increased social exploration in males and grooming behavior in females. In the 5CSRTT, male MO exposed offspring exhibited increased impulsive action errors compared to male BUP offspring. In the AMG of P1 MO exposed offspring, we observed an increase in gene expression of targets related to activity of microglia. Importantly, both MO and BUP caused acute hyperlocomotion in the dams to a similar degree, indicating that the selected doses are comparable, in accordance with previous dose comparisons on analgesic and reward efficacy. These data suggest that compared to MO, low dose BUP improves gestational outcomes and has less of an effect on the neonatal offspring brain and later adolescent and adult behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Smith
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, USA.
| | - Ally Hassler
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kelsey R Lloyd
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Teresa M Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tyree SM, Jennings KJ, Gonzalez OC, Li SB, Nicholson JR, von Heimendahl M, de Lecea L. Optogenetic and pharmacological interventions link hypocretin neurons to impulsivity in mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:74. [PMID: 36658362 PMCID: PMC9852239 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04409-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the lateral hypothalamus expressing the neuropeptide Hypocretin, also known as orexin, are known critical modulators of arousal stability. However, their role in the different components of the arousal construct such as attention and decision making is poorly understood. Here we study Hypocretin neuronal circuit dynamics during stop action impulsivity in a Go/NoGo task in mice. We show that Hypocretin neuronal activity correlates with anticipation of reward. We then assessed the causal role of Hypocretin neuronal activity using optogenetics in a Go/NoGo task. We show that stimulation of Hypocretin neurons during the cue period dramatically increases the number of premature responses. These effects are mimicked by amphetamine, reduced by atomoxetine, a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, and blocked by a Hypocretin receptor 1 selective antagonist. We conclude that Hypocretin neurons have a key role in the integration of salient stimuli during wakefulness to produce appropriate and timely responses to rewarding and aversive cues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan M. Tyree
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA ,Present Address: Atlantia Clinical Trials, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kimberly J. Jennings
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA ,grid.55460.320000000121548364Present Address: University of Texas, Austin, TX USA
| | - Oscar C. Gonzalez
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Shi-bin Li
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Janet R. Nicholson
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Moritz von Heimendahl
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Luis de Lecea
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Perinatal Morphine Exposure Leads to Sex-Dependent Executive Function Deficits and Microglial Changes in Mice. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0238-22.2022. [PMID: 36216505 PMCID: PMC9581576 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0238-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Children exposed prenatally to opioids are at an increased risk for behavioral problems and executive function deficits. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and amygdala (AMG) regulate executive function and social behavior and are sensitive to opioids prenatally. Opioids can bind to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to activate microglia, which may be developmentally important for synaptic pruning. Therefore, we tested the effects of perinatal morphine exposure on executive function and social behavior in male and female mouse offspring, along with microglial-related and synaptic-related outcomes. Dams were injected once daily subcutaneously with saline (n = 8) or morphine (MO; 10 mg/kg; n = 12) throughout pregestation, gestation, and lactation until offspring were weaned on postnatal day 21 (P21). Male MO offspring had impairments in attention and accuracy in the five-choice serial reaction time task, while female MO offspring were less affected. Targeted gene expression analysis at P21 in the PFC identified alterations in microglial-related and TLR4-related genes, while immunohistochemical analysis in adult brains indicated decreased microglial Iba1 and phagocytic CD68 proteins in the PFC and AMG in males, but females had an increase. Further, both male and female MO offspring had increased social preference. Overall, these data demonstrate male vulnerability to executive function deficits in response to perinatal opioid exposure and evidence for disruptions in neuron-microglial signaling.
Collapse
|
4
|
Noradrenergic contributions to cue-driven risk-taking and impulsivity. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1765-1779. [PMID: 33649970 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05806-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The flashing lights and sounds of modern casinos are alluring and may contribute to the addictive nature of gambling. Such cues can have a profound impact on the noradrenaline (NA) system, which could therefore be a viable therapeutic target for gambling disorder (GD). While there is substantial evidence to support the involvement of NA in the impulsive symptoms of GD, its function in mediating the "pro-addictive" impact of cues is less understood. OBJECTIVE We wished to investigate the role of NA in our rodent assay of decision making and impulsivity, the cued rat gambling task (crGT). Given that sex differences are prominent in addiction disorders, and increasingly reported in the monoaminergic regulation of behaviour, we also prioritised evaluating noradrenergic drugs in both sexes. METHODS Female and male rats were trained to stability on the crGT and then given intraperitoneal injections of the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine, the α2A receptor agonist guanfacine, the beta receptor antagonist propranolol, and the α2 receptor antagonist yohimbine. RESULTS Atomoxetine dose-dependently improved decision-making score. Guanfacine selectively enhanced decision making in risk-preferring males and optimal performing females. Propranolol and yohimbine did not influence decision making. Atomoxetine and guanfacine reduced premature responses, while yohimbine bi-phasically affected this index of motor impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS These results support the hypothesis that NA is an important neuromodulator of the cue-induced deficits in decision making observed in laboratory-based gambling paradigms, and suggest that NAergic drugs like atomoxetine and guanfacine may be useful in treating GD.
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
This paper is the forty-second consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2019 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Betts GD, Hynes TJ, Winstanley CA. Pharmacological evidence of a cholinergic contribution to elevated impulsivity and risky decision-making caused by adding win-paired cues to a rat gambling task. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:701-712. [PMID: 33573446 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120972421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pairing rewards with sensory stimulation, in the form of auditory and visual cues, increases risky decision-making in both rats and humans. Understanding the neurobiological basis of this effect could help explain why electronic gambling machines are so addictive, and inform treatment development for compulsive gambling and gaming. Numerous studies implicate the dopamine system in mediating the motivational influence of reward-paired cues; recent data suggest the cholinergic system also plays a critical role. Previous work also indicates that cholinergic drugs alter decision-making under uncertainty. AIMS We investigated whether the addition of reward-concurrent cues to the rat gambling task (crGT) altered the effects of peripherally administered cholinergic compounds. METHODS Muscarinic and nicotinic agonists and antagonists were administered to 16 male, Long-Evans rats trained on the crGT. Measures of optimal/risky decision-making and motor impulsivity were the main dependent variables of interest. RESULTS The muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine improved decision-making overall, decreasing selection of one of the risky options while increasing choice of the more advantageous options. The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine increased choice latency but did not significantly affect option preference. Neither the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine nor the agonist nicotine affected choice patterns, but mecamylamine decreased premature responding, an index of motor impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS These results contrast sharply from those obtained previously using the uncued rGT, and suggest that the deleterious effects of win-paired cues on decision-making and impulse control may result from elevated cholinergic tone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graeme D Betts
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tristan J Hynes
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu J, Johnson B, Wu R, Seaman R, Vu J, Zhu Q, Zhang Y, Li JX. TAAR1 agonists attenuate extended-access cocaine self-administration and yohimbine-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:3403-3414. [PMID: 32246467 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) negatively modulates dopamine transmission. Our previous studies demonstrated that TAAR1 agonists attenuated cue- and drug-induced cocaine-seeking and increased the elasticity of the cocaine demand curve, in the short-access cocaine self-administration model. Compulsive use of cocaine, which is an essential criterion of cocaine use disorder, can be induced by extended access to cocaine self-administration. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To characterize the role of TAAR1 in compulsive cocaine use, we evaluated the effects of activation of TAAR1 on cocaine intake, cocaine binge and cue-induced cocaine-seeking using the extended-access cocaine self-administration model in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We also investigated the role of TAAR1 in stress-triggered cocaine relapse by using the α2 -adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. KEY RESULTS The selective TAAR1 partial agonist RO5263397 attenuated cocaine intake and did not develop tolerance during the 10-day extended-access cocaine self-administration. RO5263397 reduced a 12-h binge intake of cocaine after forced abstinence. RO5263397 also decreased cue-induced cocaine-seeking after prolonged abstinence from extended-access cocaine self-administration. Furthermore, RO5263397 and the selective TAAR1 full agonist RO5166017 reduced yohimbine-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Activation of TAAR1 attenuated extended-access cocaine self-administration and stress-induced cocaine reinstatement. These results suggest that TAAR1 agonists are promising pharmacological interventions to treat cocaine use disorder and relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Bernard Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ruyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Robert Seaman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jimmy Vu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Qing Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Smith BL, Laaker CJ, Lloyd KR, Hiltz AR, Reyes TM. Adolescent microglia play a role in executive function in male mice exposed to perinatal high fat diet. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 84:80-89. [PMID: 31765789 PMCID: PMC8634520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, excessive gestational weight gain during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for executive function deficits in the offspring. Our previous work has confirmed this finding in mice, as offspring from dams fed a 60% high fat (HF) diet during breeding, gestation, and lactation demonstrate impulsive-like behavior in the 5 choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). Because the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which plays a key role in executive function, undergoes substantial postnatal adolescent pruning and microglia are actively involved in synaptic refinement, we hypothesized that microglia may play a role in mediating changes in brain development after maternal HF diet, with a specific focus on microglial activity during adolescence. Therefore, we treated male and female offspring from HF or control diet (CD) dams with PLX3397-formulated diet (PLX) to ablate microglia during postnatal days 23-45. After PLX removal and microglial repopulation, adult mice underwent testing to evaluate executive function. Adolescent PLX treatment did increase the control male dropout rate in learning the basic FR1 task, but otherwise had a minimal effect on behavior in control offspring. In males, HF offspring learned faster and performed better on a simple operant task (fixed ratio 1) without an effect of PLX. However, in HF offspring this increase in FR1 responding was associated with more impulsive errors in the 5CSRTT while PLX eliminated this association and decreased impulsive errors specifically in HF offspring. This suggests that adolescent PLX treatment improves executive function and particularly impulsive behavior in adult male HF offspring, without an overall effect of perinatal diet. In females, maternal HF diet impaired reversal learning but PLX had no effect on performance. We then measured gene expression in adult male PFC, nucleus accumbens (NAC), and amygdala (AMG), examining targets related to synaptic function, reward, and inflammation. Maternal HF diet increased PFC synaptophysin and AMG psd95 expression. PFC synaptophysin expression was correlated with more impulsive errors in the 5CSRTT in the HF offspring only and PLX treatment eliminated this correlation. These data suggest that adolescent microglia may play a critical role in mediating executive function after perinatal high fat diet in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Smith
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Collin J Laaker
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kelsey R Lloyd
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Adam R Hiltz
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Teresa M Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Neuropharmacological interventions in preclinical translational models of impulsivity have tremendously contributed to a better understanding of the neurochemistry and neural basis of impulsive behaviour. In this regard, much progress has been made over the last years, also due to the introduction of novel techniques in behavioural neuroscience such as optogenetics and chemogenetics. In this chapter, we will provide an update of how the behavioural pharmacology field has progressed and built upon existing data since an earlier review we wrote in 2008. To this aim, we will first give a brief background on preclinical translational models of impulsivity. Next, recent interesting evidence of monoaminergic modulation of impulsivity will be highlighted with a focus on the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline. Finally, we will close the chapter by discussing some novel directions and drug leads in the neuropharmacological modulation of impulsivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Pattij
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yuferov V, Randesi M, Butelman ER, van den Brink W, Blanken P, van Ree JM, Ott J, Kreek MJ. Association of variants of prodynorphin promoter 68-bp repeats in caucasians with opioid dependence diagnosis: Effect on age trajectory of heroin use. Neurosci Lett 2019; 704:100-105. [PMID: 30936032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (Dyn/KOR) system is involved in reward processing and dysphoria/anhedonia. Exposure to mu-opioid receptor agonists such as heroin increases expression of the prodynorphin gene (PDYN) in the brain. In this study in a Caucasian cohort, we examined the association of the functional PDYN 68-bp repeat polymorphism with opioid use disorders. In this case-control study, 554 subjects with Caucasian ancestry (142 healthy controls, 153 opioid-exposed, but never opioid dependent, NOD, and 259 with an opioid dependence diagnosis, OD) were examined for association of the PDYN 68-bp repeats with the diagnosis of opioid dependence (DSM-IV criteria), with a dimensional measure of heroin exposure (KMSK scale), and age trajectory parameters of heroin use (age of heroin first use, and age of onset of heaviest use). The PDYN 68-bp repeat genotype (classified as: "short-short" [SS], "long-long" [LL], and "short-long" [SL], based on the number of repeats) was not associated with categorical opioid dependence diagnoses. However, the LL genotype was associated with later age of first heroin use than the SS + SL genotype (19 versus 18 years; p < 0.01). This was also confirmed by a significant positive correlation between the number of repeats and the age of first use of heroin, in volunteers with OD (Spearman r = 0.16; p = 0.01). This suggests that the functional PDYN 68-bp repeat genotype is associated with the age of first use of heroin in Caucasians diagnosed with opioid dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Yuferov
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Matthew Randesi
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Eduardo R Butelman
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Blanken
- Parnassia Addiction Research Centre, the Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Jan M van Ree
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jürg Ott
- Laboratory of Statistical Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
D'Souza MS. Brain and Cognition for Addiction Medicine: From Prevention to Recovery Neural Substrates for Treatment of Psychostimulant-Induced Cognitive Deficits. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:509. [PMID: 31396113 PMCID: PMC6667748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Addiction to psychostimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine poses a continuing medical and social challenge both in the United States and all over the world. Despite a desire to quit drug use, return to drug use after a period of abstinence is a common problem among individuals dependent on psychostimulants. Recovery for psychostimulant drug-dependent individuals is particularly challenging because psychostimulant drugs induce significant changes in brain regions associated with cognitive functions leading to cognitive deficits. These cognitive deficits include impairments in learning/memory, poor decision making, and impaired control of behavioral output. Importantly, these drug-induced cognitive deficits often impact adherence to addiction treatment programs and predispose abstinent addicts to drug use relapse. Additionally, these cognitive deficits impact effective social and professional rehabilitation of abstinent addicts. The goal of this paper is to review neural substrates based on animal studies that could be pharmacologically targeted to reverse psychostimulant-induced cognitive deficits such as impulsivity and impairment in learning and memory. Further, the review will discuss neural substrates that could be used to facilitate extinction learning and thus reduce emotional and behavioral responses to drug-associated cues. Moreover, the review will discuss some non-pharmacological approaches that could be used either alone or in combination with pharmacological compounds to treat the above-mentioned cognitive deficits. Psychostimulant addiction treatment, which includes treatment for cognitive deficits, will help promote abstinence and allow for better rehabilitation and integration of abstinent individuals into society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|