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Kestering-Ferreira É, Heberle BA, Sindermann Lumertz F, Gobira PH, Orso R, Grassi-Oliveira R, Viola TW. Sex differences in sensitivity to fentanyl effects in mice: Behavioral and molecular findings during late adolescence. Neurosci Lett 2024; 837:137898. [PMID: 39013536 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sex differences play a crucial role in understanding vulnerability to opioid addiction, yet there have been limited preclinical investigations of this effect during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The present study compared the behaviors of male and female rodents in response to fentanyl treatment and targeted molecular correlates in the striatum and medial prefrontal cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty adolescent C57BL/6J mice underwent a 1-week fentanyl treatment with an escalating dose. In addition to evaluating locomotor activity and anxiety-related parameters, we also assessed naloxone-induced fentanyl acute withdrawal jumps. We employed real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to assess overall gene expression of dopaminergic receptors (Drd1, Drd2, Drd4 and Drd5) and the μ-opioid receptor Oprm1. The levels of epigenetic base modifications including 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) were assessed on CpG islands of relevant genes. RESULTS Females had higher locomotor activity than males after chronic fentanyl treatment, and they exhibited higher fentanyl withdrawal jumping behavior induced by naloxone. Females also presented lower Drd4 gene expression and DNA methylation (5mC + 5hmC) in the striatum. We found that locomotor activity and fentanyl withdrawal jumps were negatively correlated with Drd4 methylation and gene expression in the striatum, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggested that female mice displayed heightened sensitivity to the effects of fentanyl treatment during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This effect may be associated with molecular alterations related to the Drd4 gene.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Fentanyl/pharmacology
- Male
- Female
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Sex Characteristics
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Mice
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Corpus Striatum/metabolism
- Corpus Striatum/drug effects
- Locomotion/drug effects
- Prefrontal Cortex/drug effects
- Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine/metabolism
- Naloxone/pharmacology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/genetics
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/metabolism
- Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Érika Kestering-Ferreira
- School of Medicine, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Francisco Sindermann Lumertz
- School of Medicine, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Gobira
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo Orso
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- School of Medicine, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thiago Wendt Viola
- School of Medicine, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Chestnykh D, Graßl F, Pfeifer C, Dülk J, Ebner C, Walters M, von Hörsten S, Kornhuber J, Kalinichenko LS, Heinrich M, Müller CP. Behavioural effects of APH199, a selective dopamine D4 receptor agonist, in animal models. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1011-1031. [PMID: 36854793 PMCID: PMC10006056 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The dopamine D4 receptors (DRD4) play a key role in numerous brain functions and are involved in the pathogenesis of various psychiatric disorders. DRD4 ligands have been shown to moderate anxiety, reward and depression-like behaviours, and cognitive impairments. Despite a series of promising but ambiguous findings, the therapeutic advantages of DRD4 stimulation remain elusive. OBJECTIVES The investigation focused on the behavioural effects of the recently developed DRD4 agonist, APH199, to evaluate its impact on anxiety, anhedonia, behavioural despair, establishment and retrieval of alcohol reinforcement, and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced symptoms. METHODS Male C57BL/6 J mice and Sprague-Dawley rats were examined in five independent experiments. We assessed APH199 (0.1-5 mg/kg, i.p.) effects on a broad range of behavioural parameters in the open field (OF) test, conditioned place preference test (CPP), elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark box (LDB), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF), forced swim test (FST), sucrose preference test (SPT), AMPH-induced hyperlocomotion test (AIH), and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response in AMPH-sensitized rats. RESULTS APH199 caused mild and sporadic anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in EPM and FST, but no remarkable impact on behaviour in other tests in mice. However, we found a significant increase in AMPH-induced hyperactivity, suggesting an exaggeration of the psychotic-like responses in the AMPH-sensitized rats. CONCLUSIONS Our data challenged the hypothesis of the therapeutic benefits of DRD4 agonists, pointing out a possible aggravation of psychosis. We suggest a need for further preclinical studies to ensure the safety of antipsychotics with DRD4 stimulating properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Chestnykh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Graßl
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Canice Pfeifer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jonas Dülk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chiara Ebner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mona Walters
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Palmsanlage 5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Liubov S Kalinichenko
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Heinrich
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Centre for Drug Research, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Minden, Malaysia.
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Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 5 Gene Deletion Enhances Nicotine-Conditioned Place Preference: Illuminating the Putative Gateway Mechanisms. FUTURE PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 3:108-116. [PMID: 36864947 PMCID: PMC9969817 DOI: 10.3390/futurepharmacol3010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that the endogenous cannabinoid system modulates the behavioral and physiological effects of nicotine. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are among the primary intracellular trafficking mechanisms of endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide. To this end, changes in FABP expression may similarly impact the behavioral manifestations associated with nicotine, particularly its addictive properties. FABP5 +/+ and FABP5 -/- mice were tested for nicotine-conditioned place preference (CPP) at two different doses (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg). The nicotine-paired chamber was assigned as their least preferred chamber during preconditioning. Following 8 days of conditioning, the mice were injected with either nicotine or saline. The mice were allowed to access to all the chambers on the test day, and their times spent in the drug chamber on the preconditioning versus the test days were used to examine the drug preference score. The CPP results showed that the FABP5 -/- mice displayed a higher place preference for 0.1 mg/kg nicotine than the FABP5 +/+ mice, while no CPP difference was observed for 0.5 mg/kg nicotine between the genotypes. In conclusion, FABP5 plays an important role in regulating nicotine place preference. Further research is warranted to identify the precise mechanisms. The results suggest that dysregulated cannabinoid signaling may impact nicotine-seeking behavior.
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Zhang R, Dang W, Zhang J, He R, Li G, Zhang L, Wang Z, Zong H, Liu N, Jia W. Methylation quantitative locus rs3758653 in the DRD4 gene is associated with duration from first heroin exposure to addiction. Brain Res 2022; 1775:147746. [PMID: 34864042 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Opioid addiction is a chronic brain disease with a high heritability. However, the genetic underpinnings remain uncertain. DNA methylation is involved in the adaptive changes in neuroplasticity after prolonged drug use. The dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) has an essential role in the reward processes associated with addictive drugs. To further elucidate the potential role and mechanism of the DRD4 gene variants in heroin addiction, we detected the methylation level of 46 CpG sites in the promoter region and the genotypes of three SNPs in the DRD4 gene. Correlations between the SNPs and methylation levels of the CpG sites, i.e., the analysis of methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) was conducted. Following the identification of mQTLs that are unique in the heroin addiction group, we performed an association study between the mQTLs and traits of heroin addiction. Our results revealed that there were several correlations of SNPs rs3758653 and rs11246226 with the methylation levels of some CpG sites in the DRD4 gene. Among these SNP-CpG pairs, rs3758653-DRD4_04, rs3758653-DRD4_05, rs3758653-DRD4_13 and rs3758653-DRD4_03 were unique in the heroin addiction group. Moreover, we found that mQTL rs3758653 was associated with duration from first heroin exposure to addiction, and the expression level of the DRD4 gene in human brain regions of the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Our findings suggested that some mQTLs in the genome may be associated with traits of opioid addiction through implicating the processes of DNA methylation and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Dang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruifeng He
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guibin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Luying Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhikang Wang
- Psychiatry Department, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hua Zong
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Jia
- Department of Psychiatry, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Gupta A, Bowirrat A, Gomez LL, Baron D, Elman I, Giordano J, Jalali R, Badgaiyan RD, Modestino EJ, Gold MS, Braverman ER, Bajaj A, Blum K. Hypothesizing in the Face of the Opioid Crisis Coupling Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Testing with Electrotherapeutic Nonopioid Modalities Such as H-Wave Could Attenuate Both Pain and Hedonic Addictive Behaviors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:552. [PMID: 35010811 PMCID: PMC8744782 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, amid the opioid overdose epidemic, nonaddicting/nonpharmacological proven strategies are available to treat pain and manage chronic pain effectively without opioids. Evidence supporting the long-term use of opioids for pain is lacking, as is the will to alter the drug-embracing culture in American chronic pain management. Some pain clinicians seem to prefer classical analgesic agents that promote unwanted tolerance to analgesics and subsequent biological induction of the "addictive brain". Reward genes play a vital part in modulation of nociception and adaptations in the dopaminergic circuitry. They may affect various sensory and affective components of the chronic pain syndromes. The Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test coupled with the H-Wave at entry in pain clinics could attenuate pain and help prevent addiction. The GARS test results identify high-risk for both drug and alcohol, and H-Wave can be initiated to treat pain instead of opioids. The utilization of H-Wave to aid in pain reduction and mitigation of hedonic addictive behaviors is recommended, notwithstanding required randomized control studies. This frontline approach would reduce the possibility of long-term neurobiological deficits and fatalities associated with potent opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA;
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Luis Llanos Gomez
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (L.L.G.); (R.J.); (E.R.B.)
| | - David Baron
- Graduate College, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John Giordano
- South Beach Detox & Treatment Center, North Miami Beach, FL 33169, USA;
| | - Rehan Jalali
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (L.L.G.); (R.J.); (E.R.B.)
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, Geneus Health, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | | | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (L.L.G.); (R.J.); (E.R.B.)
| | - Anish Bajaj
- Bajaj Chiropractic, New York, NY 10010, USA;
| | - Kenneth Blum
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX 78701, USA; (L.L.G.); (R.J.); (E.R.B.)
- Graduate College, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
- Department of Precision Behavioral Management, Geneus Health, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Egyetem tér 1-3, 1053 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur 721172, West Bengal, India
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and Dayton VA Medical Centre, Dayton, OH 45324, USA
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Rivera A, Suárez-Boomgaard D, Miguelez C, Valderrama-Carvajal A, Baufreton J, Shumilov K, Taupignon A, Gago B, Real MÁ. Dopamine D 4 Receptor Is a Regulator of Morphine-Induced Plasticity in the Rat Dorsal Striatum. Cells 2021; 11:31. [PMID: 35011592 PMCID: PMC8750869 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term exposition to morphine elicits structural and synaptic plasticity in reward-related regions of the brain, playing a critical role in addiction. However, morphine-induced neuroadaptations in the dorsal striatum have been poorly studied despite its key function in drug-related habit learning. Here, we show that prolonged treatment with morphine triggered the retraction of the dendritic arbor and the loss of dendritic spines in the dorsal striatal projection neurons (MSNs). In an attempt to extend previous findings, we also explored whether the dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) could modulate striatal morphine-induced plasticity. The combined treatment of morphine with the D4R agonist PD168,077 produced an expansion of the MSNs dendritic arbors and restored dendritic spine density. At the electrophysiological level, PD168,077 in combination with morphine altered the electrical properties of the MSNs and decreased their excitability. Finally, results from the sustantia nigra showed that PD168,077 counteracted morphine-induced upregulation of μ opioid receptors (MOR) in striatonigral projections and downregulation of G protein-gated inward rectifier K+ channels (GIRK1 and GIRK2) in dopaminergic cells. The present results highlight the key function of D4R modulating morphine-induced plasticity in the dorsal striatum. Thus, D4R could represent a valuable pharmacological target for the safety use of morphine in pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Rivera
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (D.S.-B.); (A.V.-C.); (K.S.); (M.Á.R.)
| | - Diana Suárez-Boomgaard
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (D.S.-B.); (A.V.-C.); (K.S.); (M.Á.R.)
| | - Cristina Miguelez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Alejandra Valderrama-Carvajal
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (D.S.-B.); (A.V.-C.); (K.S.); (M.Á.R.)
| | - Jérôme Baufreton
- Institut des Maladies Neurodegeneratives, Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (J.B.); (A.T.)
- Institut des Maladies Neurodegeneratives, CNRS, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Kirill Shumilov
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (D.S.-B.); (A.V.-C.); (K.S.); (M.Á.R.)
- School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anne Taupignon
- Institut des Maladies Neurodegeneratives, Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France; (J.B.); (A.T.)
- Institut des Maladies Neurodegeneratives, CNRS, UMR 5293, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Belén Gago
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain;
| | - M. Ángeles Real
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (D.S.-B.); (A.V.-C.); (K.S.); (M.Á.R.)
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Calpe-López C, Gasparyan A, Navarrete F, Manzanares J, Miñarro J, Aguilar MA. Cannabidiol prevents priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of the conditioned place preference induced by cocaine in mice. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:864-874. [PMID: 33427014 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120965952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cocaine dependence is an important problem without any effective pharmacological treatment. Some preclinical studies have suggested that cannabidiol (CBD), a component of the Cannabis sativa plant, could be useful for the treatment of cocaine use disorders. AIMS This work aims to evaluate the ability of CBD to reduce priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of the conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by cocaine. METHODS Young adult CD-1 male mice were allocated to 10 groups (n = 12/group), conditioned with cocaine (10 mg/kg) and exposed to extinction of CPP (two sessions per week). When extinction was achieved, each group received the corresponding treatment before the reinstatement test. In experiment 1, six groups were used: vehicle+saline (Veh+Sal), 5 mg/kg cocaine alone (Veh+Coc) or with CBD 30 or 60 mg/kg (CBD30+Coc, CBD60+Coc) and CBD alone (CBD30+Sal, CBD60+Sal). In experiment 2, four groups were used: exploration (Veh+Expl), social defeat (Veh+SD) and social defeat with CBD (CBD30+SD and CBD60+SD). Furthermore, the relative gene expression of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in the ventral tegmental area was measured. RESULTS All mice acquired cocaine CPP and extinguished it after three or four weeks. Only the groups treated with cocaine priming (Veh+Coc) or exposed to social defeat (Veh+SD) showed reinstatement of CPP. Interestingly, CBD itself did not induce reinstatement and blocked the reinstating effects of cocaine priming and social defeat. Furthermore, cocaine priming increased DAT gene expression in the ventral tegmental area and CBD completely reversed this effect. CONCLUSION These results suggest that CBD could reduce reinstatement to cocaine seeking after a period of abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Calpe-López
- Unit of Research 'Neurobehavioural mechanisms and endophenotypes of addictive behaviour', Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Alicante, Spain.,Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Alicante, Spain.,Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Alicante, Spain.,Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Miñarro
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria A Aguilar
- Unit of Research 'Neurobehavioural mechanisms and endophenotypes of addictive behaviour', Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.,Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Giorgioni G, Del Bello F, Pavletić P, Quaglia W, Botticelli L, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Piergentili A. Recent findings leading to the discovery of selective dopamine D 4 receptor ligands for the treatment of widespread diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 212:113141. [PMID: 33422983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery, the dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) has been suggested to be an attractive target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases. Novel findings have renewed the interest in such a receptor as an emerging target for the management of different diseases, including cancer, Parkinson's disease, alcohol or substance use disorders, eating disorders, erectile dysfunction and cognitive deficits. The recently resolved crystal structures of D4R in complexes with the potent ligands nemonapride and L-745870 strongly improved the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involving the D4R functions and may help medicinal chemists in drug design. This review is focused on the recent development of the subtype selective D4R ligands belonging to classical or new chemotypes. Moreover, ligands showing functional selectivity toward G protein activation or β-arrestin recruitment and the effects of selective D4R ligands on the above-mentioned diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfabio Giorgioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
| | - Pegi Pavletić
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Wilma Quaglia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri 9, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Piergentili
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy
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Vaseghi S, Nasehi M, Zarrindast MR. How do stupendous cannabinoids modulate memory processing via affecting neurotransmitter systems? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:173-221. [PMID: 33171142 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we wanted to review the role of cannabinoids in learning and memory in animal models, with respect to their interaction effects with six principal neurotransmitters involved in learning and memory including dopamine, glutamate, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), serotonin, acetylcholine, and noradrenaline. Cannabinoids induce a wide-range of unpredictable effects on cognitive functions, while their mechanisms are not fully understood. Cannabinoids in different brain regions and in interaction with different neurotransmitters, show diverse responses. Previous findings have shown that cannabinoids agonists and antagonists induce various unpredictable effects such as similar effect, paradoxical effect, or dualistic effect. It should not be forgotten that brain neurotransmitter systems can also play unpredictable roles in mediating cognitive functions. Thus, we aimed to review and discuss the effect of cannabinoids in interaction with neurotransmitters on learning and memory. In addition, we mentioned to the type of interactions between cannabinoids and neurotransmitter systems. We suggested that investigating the type of interactions is a critical neuropharmacological issue that should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nasehi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Bender BN, Torregrossa MM. Molecular and circuit mechanisms regulating cocaine memory. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3745-3768. [PMID: 32172301 PMCID: PMC7492456 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03498-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Risk of relapse is a major challenge in the treatment of substance use disorders. Several types of learning and memory mechanisms are involved in substance use and have implications for relapse. Associative memories form between the effects of drugs and the surrounding environmental stimuli, and exposure to these stimuli during abstinence causes stress and triggers drug craving, which can lead to relapse. Understanding the neural underpinnings of how these associations are formed and maintained will inform future advances in treatment practices. A large body of research has expanded our knowledge of how associative memories are acquired and consolidated, how they are updated through reactivation and reconsolidation, and how competing extinction memories are formed. This review will focus on the vast literature examining the mechanisms of cocaine Pavlovian associative memories with an emphasis on the molecular memory mechanisms and circuits involved in the consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction of these memories. Additional research elucidating the specific signaling pathways, mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the circuits involved in associative learning will reveal more distinctions between consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction learning that can be applied to the treatment of substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke N Bender
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Mary M Torregrossa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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Underlying Susceptibility to Eating Disorders and Drug Abuse: Genetic and Pharmacological Aspects of Dopamine D4 Receptors. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12082288. [PMID: 32751662 PMCID: PMC7468707 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) has a predominant expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), brain area strictly involved in the modulation of reward processes related to both food and drug consumption. Additionally, the human DRD4 gene is characterized by a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the exon 3 and, among the polymorphic variants, the 7-repeat (7R) allele appears as a contributing factor in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug abuse, aberrant eating behaviors and related comorbidities. The 7R variant encodes for a receptor with a blunted intracellular response to dopamine, and carriers of this polymorphism might be more tempted to enhance dopamine levels in the brain, through the overconsumption of drugs of abuse or palatable food, considering their reinforcing properties. Moreover, the presence of this polymorphism seems to increase the susceptibility of individuals to engage maladaptive eating patterns in response to negative environmental stimuli. This review is focused on the role of DRD4 and DRD4 genetic polymorphism in these neuropsychiatric disorders in both clinical and preclinical studies. However, further research is needed to better clarify the complex DRD4 role, by using validated preclinical models and novel compounds more selective for DRD4.
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