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Panayi MC, Shetty S, Porod M, Bahena L, Xi ZX, Newman AH, Schoenbaum G. The selective D 3Receptor antagonist VK4-116 reverses loss of insight caused by self-administration of cocaine in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01858-7. [PMID: 38582939 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Chronic psychostimulant use causes long-lasting changes to neural and cognitive function that persist after long periods of abstinence. As cocaine users transition from drug use to abstinence, a parallel transition from hyperactivity to hypoactivity has been found in orbitofrontal-striatal glucose metabolism and striatal D2/D3-receptor activity. Targeting these changes pharmacologically, using highly selective dopamine D3-receptor (D3R) antagonists and partial agonists, has shown promise in reducing drug-taking, and attenuating relapse in animal models of cocaine and opioid use disorder. However, much less attention has been paid to treating the loss of insight, operationalized as the inability to infer likely outcomes, associated with chronic psychostimulant use. Here we tested the selective D3R antagonist VK4-116 as a treatment for this loss in rats with a prior history of cocaine use. Male and female rats were first trained to self-administer cocaine or a sucrose liquid for 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of abstinence, performance was assessed using a sensory preconditioning (SPC) learning paradigm. Rats were given VK4-116 (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle 30 min prior to each SPC training session, thus creating four drug-treatment groups: sucrose-vehicle, sucrose-VK4-116, cocaine-vehicle, cocaine-VK4-116. The control groups (sucrose-vehicle, sucrose-VK4-116) showed normal sensory preconditioning, whereas cocaine use (cocaine-vehicle) selectively disrupted responding to the preconditioned cue, an effect that was reversed in the cocaine-VK4-116 group, which demonstrating responding to the preconditioned cue at levels comparable to controls. These preclinical findings demonstrate that highly selective dopamine D3R antagonists, particularly VK4-116, can reverse the long-term negative behavioral consequences of cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios C Panayi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Shohan Shetty
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Micaela Porod
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Lisette Bahena
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Geoffrey Schoenbaum
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Sharpe MJ. The cognitive (lateral) hypothalamus. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:18-29. [PMID: 37758590 PMCID: PMC10841673 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.08.019] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite the physiological complexity of the hypothalamus, its role is typically restricted to initiation or cessation of innate behaviors. For example, theories of lateral hypothalamus argue that it is a switch to turn feeding 'on' and 'off' as dictated by higher-order structures that render when feeding is appropriate. However, recent data demonstrate that the lateral hypothalamus is critical for learning about food-related cues. Furthermore, the lateral hypothalamus opposes learning about information that is neutral or distal to food. This reveals the lateral hypothalamus as a unique arbitrator of learning capable of shifting behavior toward or away from important events. This has relevance for disorders characterized by changes in this balance, including addiction and schizophrenia. Generally, this suggests that hypothalamic function is more complex than increasing or decreasing innate behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Sharpe
- Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Panayi MC, Shetty S, Porod M, Bahena L, Xi ZX, Newman AH, Schoenbaum G. The selective D3-Receptor antagonist VK4-116 effectively treats behavioral inflexibility in rats caused by self-administration and withdrawal from cocaine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.03.556083. [PMID: 37732238 PMCID: PMC10508727 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.03.556083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Chronic psychostimulant use can cause long lasting changes to neural and cognitive function that persist even after long periods of abstinence. As cocaine users transition from drug use to abstinence, a parallel transition from hyperactivity to hypoactivity has been found in orbitofrontal-striatal glucose metabolism, and striatal D2/D3 receptor activity. Targeting these changes pharmacologically, using highly selective dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) antagonists and partial agonists, has shown significant promise in reducing drug-taking, and attenuating relapse in animal models of cocaine and opioid use disorder. However, much less attention has been focused on treating inflexible and potentially maladaptive non-drug behaviors following chronic psychostimulant use. Here we tested the selective D3R antagonist VK4-116 as a treatment for the long-term behavioral inflexibility in abstinent male and female rats with a prior history of chronic cocaine use. Rats were first trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/reinforcer) or a sucrose liquid (10%, .04 mL/reinforcer) for 2 weeks (FR1 schedule, max 60 reinforcers in 3 hrs/ day), followed by 4 weeks of abstinence. Cognitive and behavioral flexibilities were then assessed using a sensory preconditioning (SPC) learning paradigm. Rats were given an VK4-116 (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle 30 mins prior to each SPC training session, thus creating four drug-treatment groups: sucrose-vehicle, sucrose-VK4-116, cocaine-vehicle, cocaine-VK4-116. The control groups (sucrose-vehicle, sucrose-VK4-116) demonstrated significant evidence of flexible SPC behavior, whereas cocaine use (cocaine-vehicle) disrupted SPC behavior. Remarkably, the D3R antagonist VK4-116 mitigated this cocaine deficit in the cocaine-VK4-116 group, demonstrating flexible SPC to levels comparable to the control groups. These preclinical findings demonstrate that highly selective dopamine D3R antagonists, particularly VK4-116, show significant promise as a pharmacological treatment for the long-term negative behavioral consequences of cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios C Panayi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Shohan Shetty
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Micaela Porod
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Lisette Bahena
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Geoffrey Schoenbaum
- National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Zhu Y, Zeng Y, Ren J, Zhang L, Chen C, Fernandez G, Qin S. Emotional learning retroactively promotes memory integration through rapid neural reactivation and reorganization. eLife 2022; 11:e60190. [PMID: 36476501 PMCID: PMC9815824 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutral events preceding emotional experiences can be better remembered, likely by assigning them as significant to guide possible use in future. Yet, the neurobiological mechanisms of how emotional learning enhances memory for past mundane events remain unclear. By two behavioral studies and one functional magnetic resonance imaging study with an adapted sensory preconditioning paradigm, we show rapid neural reactivation and connectivity changes underlying emotion-charged retroactive memory enhancement. Behaviorally, emotional learning retroactively enhanced initial memory for neutral associations across the three studies. Neurally, emotional learning potentiated trial-specific reactivation of overlapping neural traces in the hippocampus and stimulus-relevant neocortex. It further induced rapid hippocampal-neocortical functional reorganization supporting such retroactive memory benefit, as characterized by enhanced hippocampal-neocortical coupling modulated by the amygdala during emotional learning, and a shift of hippocampal connectivity from stimulus-relevant neocortex to distributed transmodal prefrontal-parietal areas at post-learning rests. Together, emotional learning retroactively promotes memory integration for past neutral events through stimulating trial-specific reactivation of overlapping representations and reorganization of associated memories into an integrated network to foster its priority for future use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Yimeng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jingyuan Ren
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Lingke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Changming Chen
- School of Education, Chongqing Normal UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Guillen Fernandez
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Shaozheng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- Chinese Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
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Todd TP, Holmes NM. How common is a common error term? The rules that govern associative learning in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:954646. [PMID: 36311862 PMCID: PMC9614022 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.954646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In standard (first-order) Pavlovian conditioning protocols, pairings of an initially neutral conditioned stimulus (CS) and a biologically significant unconditioned stimulus (US) result in the formation of a CS-US association. The strength of this association is theoretically regulated by prediction error: specifically, the difference between the total level of conditioning supported by the US and the degree to which it is predicted by all stimuli present (i.e., a common error term). In higher-order conditioning protocols (e.g., sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning), a Pavlovian CS is used to condition responses to other stimuli with which it is paired. At present, it is unknown whether error-correction processes regulate associative learning in higher-order conditioning and, if so, whether these processes are the same as those that regulate formation of a CS-US association in first-order conditioning. Here we review studies that have provided findings relevant to this question: specifically, studies that have examined blocking and/or inhibitory learning in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning. These studies show that: (1) animals can form inhibitory associations between relatively neutral sensory stimuli; (2) the learning that occurs in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning can be blocked; and, finally, (3) a first-order CS can block conditioning to a second-order CS, and vice versa. The findings are taken to imply that a common error term regulates associative learning in higher-order conditioning, just as it regulates associative learning in first-order conditioning. They are discussed with respect to the nature of the error signal that underlies conditioning and future work that is needed to advance our understanding of the rules that govern different types of learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis P. Todd
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States,*Correspondence: Travis P. Todd,
| | - Nathan M. Holmes
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Nathan M. Holmes,
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Coureaud G, Colombel N, Duchamp-Viret P, Ferreira G. Higher-order trace conditioning in newborn rabbits. Learn Mem 2022; 29:349-354. [PMID: 36180128 PMCID: PMC9536754 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053607.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Temporal contingency is a key factor in associative learning but remains weakly investigated early in life. Few data suggest simultaneous presentation is required for young to associate different stimuli, whereas adults can learn them sequentially. Here, we investigated the ability of newborn rabbits to perform sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning using trace intervals between odor presentations. Strikingly, pups are able to associate odor stimuli with 10- and 30-sec intervals in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning, respectively. The effectiveness of higher-order trace conditioning in newborn rabbits reveals that very young animals can display complex learning despite their relative immaturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Coureaud
- Sensory NeuroEthology Group, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, U1028, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche , UMR 5292, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lyon 1 University, Jean-Monnet University, Bron 69500, France
| | - Nina Colombel
- Sensory NeuroEthology Group, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, U1028, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche , UMR 5292, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lyon 1 University, Jean-Monnet University, Bron 69500, France
- FoodCircus Group, NutriNeuro Laboratory, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 1286, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Patricia Duchamp-Viret
- Sensory NeuroEthology Group, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, U1028, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche , UMR 5292, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lyon 1 University, Jean-Monnet University, Bron 69500, France
| | - Guillaume Ferreira
- FoodCircus Group, NutriNeuro Laboratory, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 1286, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux 33076, France
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Fleming LM, Jaynes FJB, Thompson SL, Corlett PR, Taylor JR. Targeted effects of ketamine on perceptual expectation during mediated learning in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2395-2405. [PMID: 35389087 PMCID: PMC9296571 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06128-2] [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: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE While neural correlates of hallucinations are known, the mechanisms have remained elusive. Mechanistic insight is more practicable in animal models, in which causal relationships can be established. Recent work developing animal models of hallucination susceptibility has focused on the genesis of perceptual expectations and perceptual decision-making. Both processes are encompassed within mediated learning, which involves inducing a strong perceptual expectation via associative learning, retrieving that memory representation, and deciding whether this internally generated percept is predictive of an external outcome. Mediated learning in rodents is sensitive to many psychotomimetic manipulations. However, we do not know if these manipulations selectively alter learning of perceptual expectations versus their retrieval because of their presence throughout all task phases. OBJECTIVES Here, we used mediated learning to study the targeted effect of a psychotomimetic agent on the retrieval of perceptual expectation. METHODS We administered (R,S)-ketamine to rats selectively during the devaluation phase of a mediated learning task, when the representation of the expected cue is retrieved, to test the hypothesis that internally generated perceptual experiences underlie this altered mediated learning. RESULTS We found that ketamine increased only mediated learning at a moderate dose in rats, but impaired direct learning at the high dose. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ketamine can augment retrieval of perceptual expectations and thus this may be how it induces hallucination-like experiences in humans. More broadly, mediated learning may unite the conditioning, perceptual decision-making, and even reality monitoring accounts of psychosis in a manner that translates across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M Fleming
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frances-Julia B Jaynes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Summer L Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Philip R Corlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jane R Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Gostolupce D, Lay BPP, Maes EJP, Iordanova MD. Understanding Associative Learning Through Higher-Order Conditioning. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:845616. [PMID: 35517574 PMCID: PMC9062293 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.845616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Associative learning is often considered to require the physical presence of stimuli in the environment in order for them to be linked. This, however, is not a necessary condition for learning. Indeed, associative relationships can form between events that are never directly paired. That is, associative learning can occur by integrating information across different phases of training. Higher-order conditioning provides evidence for such learning through two deceptively similar designs – sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning. In this review, we detail the procedures and factors that influence learning in these designs, describe the associative relationships that can be acquired, and argue for the importance of this knowledge in studying brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Gostolupce
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Belinda P P Lay
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Etienne J P Maes
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mihaela D Iordanova
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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