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Serra M, Simola N, Pollack AE, Costa G. Brain dysfunctions and neurotoxicity induced by psychostimulants in experimental models and humans: an overview of recent findings. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1908-1918. [PMID: 38227515 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that psychostimulants, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit brain dysfunctions and/or neurotoxic effects. Central toxicity induced by psychostimulants may pose serious health risks since the recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young people and adults. The present review provides an overview of recent research, conducted between 2018 and 2023, focusing on brain dysfunctions and neurotoxic effects elicited in experimental models and humans by amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methylphenidate, caffeine, and nicotine. Detailed elucidation of factors and mechanisms that underlie psychostimulant-induced brain dysfunction and neurotoxicity is crucial for understanding the acute and enduring noxious brain effects that may occur in individuals who use psychostimulants for recreational and/or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alexia E Pollack
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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2
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Yáñez-Gómez F, Gálvez-Melero L, Ledesma-Corvi S, Bis-Humbert C, Hernández-Hernández E, Salort G, García-Cabrerizo R, García-Fuster MJ. Evaluating the daily modulation of FADD and related molecular markers in different brain regions in male rats. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25296. [PMID: 38361411 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25296] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD), a key molecule controlling cell fate by balancing apoptotic versus non-apoptotic functions, is dysregulated in post-mortem brains of subjects with psychopathologies, in animal models capturing certain aspects of these disorders, and by several pharmacological agents. Since persistent disruptions in normal functioning of daily rhythms are linked with these conditions, oscillations over time of key biomarkers, such as FADD, could play a crucial role in balancing the clinical outcome. Therefore, we characterized the 24-h regulation of FADD (and linked molecular partners: p-ERK/t-ERK ratio, Cdk-5, p35/p25, cell proliferation) in key brain regions for FADD regulation (prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus). Samples were collected during Zeitgeber time (ZT) 2, ZT5, ZT8, ZT11, ZT14, ZT17, ZT20, and ZT23 (ZT0, lights-on or inactive period; ZT12, lights-off or active period). FADD showed similar daily fluctuations in all regions analyzed, with higher values during lights off, and opposite to p-ERK/t-ERK ratios regulation. Both Cdk-5 and p35 remained stable and did not change across ZT. However, p25 increased during lights off, but exclusively in striatum. Finally, no 24-h modulation was observed for hippocampal cell proliferation, although higher values were present during lights off. These results demonstrated a clear daily modulation of FADD in several key brain regions, with a more prominent regulation during the active time of rats, and suggested a key role for FADD, and molecular partners, in the normal physiological functioning of the brain's daily rhythmicity, which if disrupted might participate in the development of certain pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Yáñez-Gómez
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Laura Gálvez-Melero
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Sandra Ledesma-Corvi
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Cristian Bis-Humbert
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Elena Hernández-Hernández
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Glòria Salort
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Rubén García-Cabrerizo
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - M Julia García-Fuster
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
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3
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Colom-Rocha C, Bis-Humbert C, García-Fuster MJ. Evaluating signs of hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by a revisited paradigm of voluntary ethanol consumption in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:320-330. [PMID: 36807777 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge alcohol drinking is considered a prominent risk factor for the development of alcohol-use disorders, and could be model in rodents through the standard two-bottle preference choice test. The goal was to recreate an intermittent use of alcohol during 3 consecutive days each week to ascertain its potential impact on hippocampal neurotoxicity (neurogenesis and other neuroplasticity markers), and including sex as a biological variable, given the well-known sex differences in alcohol consumption. METHODS Ethanol access was granted to adult Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 consecutive days per week, followed by 4 days of withdrawal, during 6 weeks, mimicking the most common pattern of intake in people, drinking over the weekends in an intensive manner. Hippocampal samples were collected to evaluate signs of neurotoxicity. RESULTS Female rats consumed significantly more ethanol than males, although intake did not escalate over time. Ethanol preference levels remained below 40% over time and did not differ between sexes. Moderate signs of ethanol neurotoxicity were observed in hippocampus at the level of decreased neuronal progenitors (NeuroD + cells), and these effects were independent of sex. No other signs of neurotoxicity were induced by ethanol voluntary consumption when measured through several key cell fate markers (i.e., FADD, Cyt c, Cdk5, NF-L) by western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the present results suggest that even though we modeled a situation where no escalation in ethanol intake occurred across time, mild signs of neurotoxicity emerged, suggesting that even the use of ethanol during adulthood in a recreational way could lead to certain brain harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles Colom-Rocha
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain.,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Cristian Bis-Humbert
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain.,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,Psychobiology of Drug Addiction, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Julia García-Fuster
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain. .,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.
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4
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Zimmermann J, Friedli N, Bavato F, Stämpfli P, Coray R, Baumgartner MR, Grandgirard D, Leib SL, Opitz A, Seifritz E, Stock AK, Beste C, Cole DM, Quednow BB. White matter alterations in chronic MDMA use: Evidence from diffusion tensor imaging and neurofilament light chain blood levels. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103191. [PMID: 36126513 PMCID: PMC9486575 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") is a serotonin- and noradrenaline-releasing substance, currently among the most widely used illicit substances worldwide. In animal studies, repeated exposure to MDMA has been associated with dendritic but also axonal degeneration in the brain. However, translation of the axonal findings, specifically, to humans has been repeatedly questioned and the few existing studies investigating white matter alterations in human chronic MDMA users have yielded conflicting findings. In this study, we combined whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging and neurofilament light chain (NfL) analysis in blood to reveal potential MDMA-induced axonal neuropathology. To this end, we assessed 39 chronic MDMA users and 39 matched MDMA-naïve healthy controls. MDMA users showed increased fractional anisotropy in several white matter tracts, most prominently in the corpus callosum as well as corticospinal tracts, with these findings partly related to MDMA use intensity. However, the NfL levels of MDMA users were not significantly different from those of controls. We conclude that MDMA use is not associated with significant white matter lesions due to the absence of reduced fractional anisotropy and increased NfL levels commonly observed in conditions associated with white matter lesions, including stimulant and ketamine use disorders. Hence, the MDMA-induced axonal degradation demonstrated in animal models was not observed in this human study of chronic MDMA users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josua Zimmermann
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Friedli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bavato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- MR-Center of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich
| | - Rebecca Coray
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Denis Grandgirard
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen L Leib
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Antje Opitz
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David M Cole
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Bavato F, Stamatakos S, Ohki CMY, Seifritz E, Romualdi P, Grünblatt E, Quednow BB. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects serotonergic neurons against 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy") induced cytoskeletal damage. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:703-711. [PMID: 35420371 PMCID: PMC9188522 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02502-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") use has been linked to persistent alterations of the brain serotonergic (5-HT) system in animal and human studies, but the molecular underpinnings are still unclear. Cytoskeletal structures such as neurofilament light chain (NfL) are promising markers of drug-induced brain toxicity and may be involved in MDMA neurotoxicity. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes the growth and sprouting of 5-HT neurons and its differential response to MDMA administration was suggested to mediate dose- and region-dependent 5-HT damage by MDMA. However, the role of BDNF pre-treatment in preventing MDMA neurotoxicity and the potential effects of MDMA on NfL are still elusive. Therefore, a differentiated 5-HT neuronal cell line obtained from rat raphe nucleus (RN46A) was treated in vitro with either MDMA, BDNF, MDMA + BDNF, or vehicle. Cell viability (measured by MTT) and intracellular NfL levels (immunocytochemistry assay) were reduced by MDMA, but partially rescued by BDNF co-treatment. Our findings confirmed that BDNF levels can influence MDMA-induced 5-HT damage, and support BDNF to be a crucial target for neuroprotective interventions of the 5-HT system. We also provide evidence on the sensitivity of NfL to MDMA neurotoxicity, with potential implications for in-vivo monitoring of drug-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bavato
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - S Stamatakos
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C M Yde Ohki
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - E Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - P Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - B B Quednow
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Schenk S, Highgate Q. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms related to its use and misuse. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1714-1724. [PMID: 33711169 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an amphetamine analogue that preferentially stimulates the release of serotonin (5HT) and results in relatively small increases in synaptic dopamine (DA). The ratio of drug-stimulated increases in synaptic DA, relative to 5HT, predicts the abuse liability; drugs with higher DA:5HT ratios are more likely to be abused. Nonetheless, MDMA is a drug that is misused. Clinical and preclinical studies have suggested that repeated MDMA exposure produces neuroadaptive responses in both 5HT and DA neurotransmission that might explain the development and maintenance of MDMA self-administration in some laboratory animals and the development of a substance use disorder in some humans. In this paper, we describe the research that has demonstrated an inhibitory effect of 5HT on the acquisition of MDMA self-administration and the critical role of DA in the maintenance of MDMA self-administration in laboratory animals. We then describe the circuitry and 5HT receptors that are positioned to modulate DA activity and review the limited research on the effects of MDMA exposure on these receptor mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Schenk
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Quenten Highgate
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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7
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Mustafa NS, Bakar NHA, Mohamad N, Adnan LHM, Fauzi NFAM, Thoarlim A, Omar SHS, Hamzah MS, Yusoff Z, Jufri M, Ahmad R. MDMA and the Brain: A Short Review on the Role of Neurotransmitters in Neurotoxicity. Basic Clin Neurosci 2021; 11:381-388. [PMID: 33613876 PMCID: PMC7878040 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), or ecstasy is a recreational drug of abuse. It is a synthetic substance that affects the body’s systems, which its mechanism of action and treatment should be more investigated. MDMA provides an immediate enjoyable feeling by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, abnormal regulation of the brain neurotransmitters, as well as the increased oxidative stress causes damage to the brain neurons after the MDMA exposure. Only a few studies have been done regarding its treatment. Thus, the treatment of MDMA complications should be further explored mainly by targeting its mechanism of action in the neurotransmitter systems. Hence, this study presents a short review regarding the recent findings on the role of neurotransmitters to cause MDMA neurotoxicity. The results will be useful for future research in elucidating the potential treatment based on the targeted mechanisms to treat the neurotoxic effects of MDMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Suliana Mustafa
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nor Hidayah Abu Bakar
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nasir Mohamad
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Liyana Hazwani Mohd Adnan
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Farah Aina Md Fauzi
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Abdulsoma Thoarlim
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Syed Hadzrullathfi Syed Omar
- Centre for Research in Addiction (CentRenA), University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Research Institute for Islamic Products, Malay Civilization University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shafiee Hamzah
- Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zawawi Yusoff
- Faculty of Medicine, City Campus, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mahdi Jufri
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Rashidi Ahmad
- Academic Unit of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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8
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Bis-Humbert C, García-Cabrerizo R, García-Fuster MJ. Increased negative affect when combining early-life maternal deprivation with adolescent, but not adult, cocaine exposure in male rats: regulation of hippocampal FADD. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:411-420. [PMID: 33111196 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05689-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Besides early drug initiation during adolescence, another vulnerability factor associated with increased risk for substance abuse later in life is early-life stress. One way of assessing such combined risk is by evaluating the emergence of increased negative affect during withdrawal (i.e., linked to persistence in drug seeking). OBJECTIVES To compare the impact of maternal deprivation with cocaine exposure at different ages on affective-like behavior and hippocampal neuroplasticity regulation. METHODS Maternal deprivation was performed in whole-litters of Sprague-Dawley rats (24 h, PND 9-10). Cocaine (15 mg/kg, 7 days, i.p.) was administered in adolescence (PND 33-39) or adulthood (PND 64-70). Changes in affective-like behavior were assessed by diverse tests across time (forced-swim, open field, novelty-suppressed feeding, sucrose preference). Hippocampal multifunctional FADD protein (balance between cell death and plasticity) was evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS Exposing rats to either maternal deprivation or adolescent cocaine did not modulate affective-like behavior immediately during adolescence, but increased negative affect in adulthood. Maternal deprivation combined with adolescent cocaine advanced the negative impact to adolescence. Adult cocaine exposure alone and/or in combination with maternal deprivation did not induce any behavioral changes at the time-points analyzed. FADD regulation might participate in the neural adaptations taking place in the hippocampus in relation to the observed behavioral changes. CONCLUSIONS Adolescence is a more vulnerable period, as compared to adulthood, to the combined impact of cocaine and early maternal deprivation, thus suggesting that the accumulation of stress early in life can anticipate the negative behavioral outcome associated with drug consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Bis-Humbert
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122, Palma, Spain.,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - Rubén García-Cabrerizo
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122, Palma, Spain.,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M Julia García-Fuster
- IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122, Palma, Spain. .,Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.
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9
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García-Cabrerizo R, Carbia C, O Riordan KJ, Schellekens H, Cryan JF. Microbiota-gut-brain axis as a regulator of reward processes. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1495-1524. [PMID: 33368280 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Our gut harbours trillions of microorganisms essential for the maintenance of homeostasis and host physiology in health and disease. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in understanding the bidirectional pathway of communication between our microbiota and the central nervous system. With regard to reward processes there is accumulating evidence from both animal and human studies that this axis may be a key factor in gating reward valence. Focusing on the mesocorticolimbic pathway, we will discuss how the intestinal microbiota is involved in regulating brain reward functions, both in natural (i.e. eating, social or sexual behaviours) and non-natural reinforcers (drug addiction behaviours including those relevant to alcohol, psychostimulants, opioids and cannabinoids). We will integrate preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting that the microbiota-gut-brain axis could be implicated in the development of disorders associated with alterations in the reward system and how it may be targeted as a promising therapeutic strategy. Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15065.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carina Carbia
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Harriet Schellekens
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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10
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Bis-Humbert C, García-Fuster MJ. Adolescent cocaine induced persistent negative affect in female rats exposed to early-life stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:3399-3410. [PMID: 34430991 PMCID: PMC8629899 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05955-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The combination of several risk factors (sex, a prior underlying psychiatric condition, or early drug initiation) could induce the emergence of negative affect during cocaine abstinence and increase the risk of developing addiction. However, most prior preclinical studies have been centered in male rodents, traditionally excluding females from these analyses. OBJECTIVES To ascertain the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of adolescent cocaine exposure when the combination of several risk factors is present (female, early-life stress). METHODS Whole litters of Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to maternal deprivation for 24 h on postnatal day (PND) 9. Cocaine was administered in adolescence (15 mg/kg/day, i.p., PND 33-39). Negative affect was assessed by several behavioral tests (forced swim, open field, novelty-suppressed feeding, sucrose preference). Hippocampal cell fate markers were evaluated by western blot (FADD, Bax, cytochrome c) or immunohistochemistry (Ki-67; cell proliferation). RESULTS Maternal deprivation is a suitable model of psychiatric vulnerability in which to study the impact of adolescent cocaine in female rats. While adolescent cocaine did not alter affective-like behavior during adolescence, a pro-depressive-like state emerged during adulthood, exclusively in rats re-exposed to cocaine during abstinence. FADD regulation by cocaine in early-life stressed female rats might contribute to certain hippocampal neuroadaptations with some significance to the observed induced negative affect. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent cocaine induced persistent negative affect in female rats exposed to early-life stress, highlighting the risk of early drug initiation during adolescence for the emergence of negative reinforcement during abstinence likely driving cocaine addiction vulnerability, also in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Bis-Humbert
- grid.9563.90000 0001 1940 4767IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain ,grid.507085.fHealth Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | - M. Julia García-Fuster
- grid.9563.90000 0001 1940 4767IUNICS, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. de Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain ,grid.507085.fHealth Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
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11
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Jiménez-Romero F, Bis-Humbert C, García-Fuster MJ. Adolescent morphine induces emotional signs of withdrawal paired with neurotoxicity selectively in male rats: Female resilience. Neurosci Lett 2020; 715:134625. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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12
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García-Cabrerizo R, García-Fuster MJ. Methamphetamine binge administration dose-dependently enhanced negative affect and voluntary drug consumption in rats following prolonged withdrawal: role of hippocampal FADD. Addict Biol 2019; 24:239-250. [PMID: 29282816 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
While prior studies have established various interacting mechanisms and neural consequences (i.e. monoaminergic nerve terminal damage) that might contribute to the adverse effects caused by methamphetamine administration, the precise mechanisms that mediate relapse during withdrawal remain unknown. This study evaluated the long-term consequences of binge methamphetamine administration (three pulses/day, every 3 hours, 4 days, i.p.; dose-response: 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg) in adult Sprague-Dawley rats at two behavioral levels following 25 days of withdrawal: (1) negative affect (behavioral despair-forced-swim test, and anhedonia-1% sucrose consumption, two-bottle choice test) and (2) voluntary methamphetamine consumption (20 mg/l, two-bottle choice test). Striatal and hippocampal brain samples were dissected to quantify monoamines content by high-performance liquid chromatography and to evaluate neurotoxicity (dopaminergic and serotonergic markers) and neuroplasticity markers [i.e. cell fate regulator (Fas-associated protein with death domain) FADD] by Western blot. The results showed that methamphetamine administration induced dose-dependent negative effects during prolonged withdrawal in adult rats. In particular, rats treated repeatedly with methamphetamine (7.5 mg/kg) showed (1) enhanced negative affect-increased anhedonia associated with behavioral despair, (2) increased voluntary methamphetamine consumption, (3) enhanced neurotoxicity-decreased dopamine and metabolites in striatum and decreased serotonin in hippocampus, (4) altered neuroplasticity markers-decreased FADD protein and increased p-FADD/FADD balance selectively in hippocampus and (5) higher consumption rates of methamphetamine that were associated with lower FADD content in hippocampus. These results confirm that methamphetamine withdrawal dose-dependently induced negative affect and decreased monoamines content, while also increased voluntary methamphetamine consumption and suggested a role for hippocampal FADD neuroplasticity in these drug-withdrawal adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén García-Cabrerizo
- IUNICS; University of the Balearic Islands; Palma Spain
- Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa); Palma Spain
| | - M. Julia García-Fuster
- IUNICS; University of the Balearic Islands; Palma Spain
- Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa); Palma Spain
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13
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Feio-Azevedo R, Costa VM, Barbosa DJ, Teixeira-Gomes A, Pita I, Gomes S, Pereira FC, Duarte-Araújo M, Duarte JA, Marques F, Fernandes E, Bastos ML, Carvalho F, Capela JP. Aged rats are more vulnerable than adolescents to “ecstasy”-induced toxicity. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2275-2295. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2226-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Methamphetamine binge administration during late adolescence induced enduring hippocampal cell damage following prolonged withdrawal in rats. Neurotoxicology 2018; 66:1-9. [PMID: 29501631 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A recent study from our laboratory demonstrated that binge methamphetamine induced hippocampal cell damage (i.e., impaired cell genesis) in rats when administered specifically during late adolescence (postnatal day, PND 54-57) and evaluated 24 h later (PND 58). The results also suggested a possible role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulating cell genesis and survival. This subsequent study evaluated whether these effects persisted in time as measured following prolonged withdrawal. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated (i.p.) with BrdU (2 × 50 mg/kg, 3 days, PND 48-50) followed by a binge paradigm (3 pulses/day, every 3 h, 4 days, PND 54-57) of methamphetamine (5 mg/kg, n = 14, M) or saline (0.9% NaCl, 1 ml/kg, n = 12, C). Following 34 days of forced withdrawal (PND 91), rats were killed 45 min after a challenge dose of saline (Sal: C-Sal, n = 6; M-Sal, n = 7) or methamphetamine (Meth: C-Meth, n = 6; M-Meth, n = 7). Neurogenesis markers (Ki-67: cell proliferation; NeuroD: early neuronal survival; BrdU: prolonged cell survival, 41-43 days old cells) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry while neuroplasticity markers (BDNF and Fos forms) were evaluated by Western blot. The main results showed that a history of methamphetamine administration (PND 54-57) induced enduring hippocampal cell damage (i.e., observed on PND 91) by decreasing cell survival (BrdU + cells) and mature-BDNF (m-BDNF) protein content, associated with neuronal survival, growth and differentiation. Interestingly, m-BDNF regulation paralleled hippocampal c-Fos protein content, indicating decreased neuronal activity, and thus reinforcing the persisting negative effects induced by methamphetamine in rat hippocampus following prolonged withdrawal.
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15
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Hernández-Hernández E, Miralles A, Esteban S, García-Fuster MJ. Repeated treatment with the α2-adrenoceptor agonist UK-14304 improves cognitive performance in middle-age rats: Role of hippocampal Fas-associated death domain. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:248-255. [PMID: 29207901 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117742667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cell fate regulator Fas-associated death domain (FADD) balances cell death with non-apoptotic actions via its phosphorylated form. A recent study associated loss of cortical FADD with cognitive decline and increased risk of clinical dementia. Since the activation of cortical α2A-adrenoceptors improved memory deficits in various animal models of working memory loss, the present study evaluated whether UK-14304, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist known to acutely regulate brain FADD forms, would improve cognitive function in middle-aged rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with UK-14304 (0.3 or 1 mg/kg) or saline (1 mL/kg) for seven days. Cognitive performance was evaluated in the eight-arm radial maze. FADD protein content was measured in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by Western blot analysis. The results showed that UK-14304 (1 mg/kg) improved cognitive performance (less time: -310±45 s, p=0.025 and fewer errors: -2.75±1.06, p=0.043 to complete the maze) and increased FADD selectively in the hippocampus (+35±11%, p=0.029). Interestingly, hippocampal FADD content negatively correlated with the time ( r=-0.651, p<0.01) needed to complete the maze. Thus, better cognitive scores were associated with higher FADD hippocampal content. These results support a role for α2-adrenoceptors in ameliorating cognition and suggest FADD protein content as a possible correlate for cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hernández-Hernández
- 1 University Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, and Balearic Islands Health Research Intitute (IdISBa), Palma, Spain.,2 Neurophysiology Research Group, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Antonio Miralles
- 2 Neurophysiology Research Group, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Susana Esteban
- 2 Neurophysiology Research Group, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - M Julia García-Fuster
- 1 University Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, and Balearic Islands Health Research Intitute (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
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16
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Comparative effects of amphetamine-like psychostimulants on rat hippocampal cell genesis at different developmental ages. Neurotoxicology 2016; 56:29-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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García-Cabrerizo R, Keller B, García-Fuster MJ. Hippocampal cell fate regulation by chronic cocaine during periods of adolescent vulnerability: Consequences of cocaine exposure during adolescence on behavioral despair in adulthood. Neuroscience 2015. [PMID: 26215918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Given that adolescence represents a critical moment for shaping adult behavior and may predispose to disease vulnerability later in life, the aim of this study was to find a vulnerable period during adolescence in which hippocampal cell fate regulation was altered by cocaine exposure, and to evaluate the long-term consequences of a cocaine experience during adolescence in affecting hippocampal plasticity and behavioral despair in adulthood. Study I: Male rats were treated with cocaine (15mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 7 consecutive days during adolescence (early post-natal day (PND) 33-39, mid PND 40-46, late PND 47-53). Hippocampal plasticity (i.e., cell fate regulation, cell genesis) was evaluated 24h after the last treatment dose during the course of adolescence (PND 40, PND 47, PND 54). Study II: The consequences of cocaine exposure during adolescence (PND 33-39 or PND 33-46; 7 or 14days) were measured in adulthood at the behavioral (i.e., forced swim test, PND 62-63) and molecular (hippocampal cell markers, PND 64) levels. Chronic cocaine during early adolescence dysregulated FADD forms only in the hippocampus (HC), as compared to other brain regions, and during mid adolescence, impaired cell proliferation (Ki-67) and increased PARP-1 cleavage (a cell death maker) in the HC. Interestingly, chronic cocaine exposure during adolescence did not alter the time adult rats spent immobile in the forced swim test. These results suggest that this paradigm of chronic cocaine administration during adolescence did not contribute to the later manifestation of behavioral despair (i.e., one pro-depressive symptom) as measured by the forced swim test in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- R García-Cabrerizo
- Neurobiology of Drug Abuse Group, IUNICS/IdISPa, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud-Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETICS-RTA), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Keller
- Neurobiology of Drug Abuse Group, IUNICS/IdISPa, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud-Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETICS-RTA), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - M J García-Fuster
- Neurobiology of Drug Abuse Group, IUNICS/IdISPa, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud-Red de Trastornos Adictivos (RETICS-RTA), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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