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High Morphine Use Disorder Susceptibility Is Predicted by Impaired Learning Ability in Mice. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12121650. [PMID: 36552110 PMCID: PMC9776386 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
An obvious reason for substance uses disorders (SUDs) is drug craving and seeking behavior induced by conditioned context, which is an abnormal solid context memory. The relationship between susceptibility to SUD and learning ability remains unclear in humans and animal models. In this study, we found that susceptibility to morphine use disorder (MUD) was negatively correlated with learning ability in conditioned place preference (CPP) in C57 mice. By using behavioral tests, we identified the FVB mouse as learning impaired. In addition, we discovered that learning-relevant proteins, such as the glutamate receptor subunits GluA1, NR1, and NR2A, were decreased in FVB mice. Finally, we assessed the context learning ability of FVB mice using the CPP test and priming. We found that FVB mice had lower learning performance with respect to normal memory but higher performance of morphine-reinstatement memory. Compared to C57 mice, FVB mice are highly sensitive to MUDs. Our results suggest that SUD susceptibility is predicted by impaired learning ability in mice; therefore, learning ability can play a simple and practical role in identifying high-risk SUD groups.
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Moulin TC, Schiöth HB. Excitability, synaptic balance, and addiction: The homeostatic dynamics of ionotropic glutamatergic receptors in VTA after cocaine exposure. Behav Brain Funct 2020; 16:6. [PMID: 32522229 PMCID: PMC7288406 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-020-00168-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic AMPA and NMDA receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are central for cocaine first exposure and posterior craving maintenance. However, the exact rules that coordinate the synaptic dynamics of these receptors in dopaminergic VTA neurons and behavioral outcomes are poorly understood. Additionally, synaptic homeostatic plasticity is present in response to chronic excitability changes in neuronal circuits, adjusting the strength of synapses to stabilize the firing rate. Despite having correspondent mechanisms, little is known about the relationship between continuous cocaine exposure and homeostatic synaptic changes in the VTA neurons. Here, we assess the role of homeostatic mechanisms in the neurobiology of cocaine addiction by providing a brief overview of the parallels between cocaine-induced synaptic potentiation and long-term synaptic adaptations, focusing on the regulation of GluA1- and GluN1- containing receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago C Moulin
- Functional Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Ketamine increases the expression of GluR1 and GluR2 α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazole propionate receptor subunits in human dopaminergic neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells. Neuroreport 2019; 30:207-212. [PMID: 30586092 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the prolonged antidepressant effects after a single exposure to ketamine are only partially understood. Converging findings indicate a critical role of structural neuroplasticity, recently also proposed for dopaminergic (DA) neurons known to be involved in a depression core symptom, anhedonia. We recently showed that ketamine induces dendritic outgrowth in human DA neurons differentiated in-vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells of healthy donors, a phenomenon blocked by the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazole propionate receptor antagonist NBQX. As changes in the expression of AMPA receptor subunits GluR1 and GluR2 were observed in neuroplasticity of rodent DA neurons, we aimed to explore this phenomenon in human DA neurons. Using specific antibodies against GluR1 and GluR2 α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methy-4-isoxazole propionate receptor subunits, we showed that GluR1 levels were significantly higher in soma than in dendrites, whereas for GluR2, levels were significantly higher in dendrites than in soma. One hour exposure to 1 µM ketamine increased the signal of both subunits in dendrites, but only of GluR2 in soma, at 24, 48, and 72 h. Nonlinear polynomial fitting of dendritic expression indicated that the two curves were significantly different, with stronger and more sustained effects on GluR2 expression. Overall, these data support a role for GluR1 and GluR2 dendritic upregulation in driving structural plasticity in human DA neurons depending on ketamine transient exposure, indicating translationally relevant downstream mechanism possibly involved in antidepressant effects.
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Trubetckaia O, Lane AE, Qian L, Zhou P, Lane DA. Alpha-synuclein is strategically positioned for afferent modulation of midbrain dopamine neurons and is essential for cocaine preference. Commun Biol 2019; 2:418. [PMID: 31754648 PMCID: PMC6858354 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0651-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is an abundant neuroprotein elevated in cocaine addicts, linked to drug craving, and recruited to axon terminals undergoing glutamatergic plasticity - a proposed mechanism for substance abuse. However, little is known about normal α-syn function or how it contributes to substance abuse. We show that α-syn is critical for preference of hedonic stimuli and the cognitive flexibility needed to change behavioral strategies, functions that are altered with substance abuse. Electron microscopic analysis reveals changes in α-syn targeting of ventral tegmental area axon terminals that is dependent upon the duration of cocaine exposure. The dynamic changes in presynaptic α-syn position it to control neurotransmission and fine-tune the complex afferent inputs to dopamine neurons, potentially altering functional dopamine output. Cocaine also increases postsynaptic α-syn where it is needed for normal ALIX function, multivesicular body formation, and cocaine-induced exosome release indicating potentially similar α-syn actions for vesicle release pre- and post-synaptically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Trubetckaia
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Ariana E. Lane
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Liping Qian
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Ping Zhou
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Diane A. Lane
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA
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Chen HT, Chen JC. Role of the ventral tegmental area in methamphetamine extinction: AMPA receptor-mediated neuroplasticity. Learn Mem 2015; 22:149-58. [PMID: 25691515 PMCID: PMC4340131 DOI: 10.1101/lm.037721.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying drug extinction remain largely unknown, although a role for medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) glutamate neurons has been suggested. Considering that the mPFC sends glutamate efferents to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), we tested whether the VTA is involved in methamphetamine (METH) extinction via conditioned place preference (CPP). Among various METH-CPP stages, we found that the amount of phospho-GluR1/Ser845 increased in the VTA at behavioral extinction, but not the acquisition or withdrawal stage. Via surface biotinylation, we found that levels of membrane GluR1 were significantly increased during METH-CPP extinction, while no change was observed at the acquisition stage. Specifically, the number of dendritic spines in the VTA was increased at behavioral extinction, but not during acquisition. To validate the role of the mPFC in METH-CPP extinction, we lesioned the mPFC. Ibotenic acid lesioning of the mPFC did not affect METH-CPP acquisition, however, it abolished the extinction stage and reversed the enhanced phospho-GluR1/Ser845 levels as well as increases in VTA dendritic spines during METH-CPP extinction. Overall, this study demonstrates that the mPFC plays a critical role in METH-CPP extinction and identifies the VTA as an alternative target in mediating the extinction of drug conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Ting Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Chung Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan Healthy Ageing Research Center, Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan Neuroscience Research Center, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan
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Incubation of cocaine seeking following brief cocaine experience in mice is enhanced by mGluR1 blockade. J Neurosci 2014; 34:1781-90. [PMID: 24478360 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1076-13.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The incubation of cocaine craving describes the time-dependent augmentation of cue-induced cocaine seeking during withdrawal from prolonged cocaine self-administration and requires time-dependent changes in neuroplasticity at the level of glutamatergic synapses in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In contrast to most studies that use multiple cocaine-cue conditioning sessions, the present study tested mice with limited cocaine experience (i.e., a single conditioning session) in the incubation of cue-mediated cocaine seeking and its associated changes in the glutamate system. Mice that self-administered cocaine during a single session exhibited a time-dependent increase in their response for the drug-associated cue as compared to mice that self-administered saline. This behavior was associated with changes in AMPA and NMDA receptor binding characteristics. Furthermore, Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) mRNA levels were altered in several brain regions, including the NAc. Because of the pivotal role of mGluR1 in the control of cocaine-induced plasticity, we investigated the role of mGluR1 in the formation of drug cue-mediated cocaine seeking. After prolonged withdrawal, mice in which an mGluR1 antagonist was administered following cocaine self-administration displayed increased cocaine seeking compared to vehicle-treated mice. These results suggest that limited cocaine experience is sufficient to induce neurobiological changes that enable an initially neutral cue to acquire motivational value that increases over time, an effect that likely involves glutamate signaling through mGluR1.
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Zhang J, Abdullah JM. The role of GluA1 in central nervous system disorders. Rev Neurosci 2014; 24:499-505. [PMID: 24077616 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2013-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In the brain, the four subunits of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, glutamate A1 (GluA1), GluA2, GluA3, and GluA4 form functionally different tetramers. Of these, GluA1 is very important. It forms calcium-permeable (without GluA2) AMPA receptors and induces the trafficking and integration of AMPA receptors within synaptic membranes. Increased GluA1 expression and their phosphorylation are common mechanisms for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression, and chronic drug addiction. Moreover, GluA1 is also involved in pain and epilepsy. Increased phosphorylation of serine831 in the GluA1 receptor is a mechanism necessary to alleviate Alzheimer's disease and depression. GluA1-/- knockout mice are used as a model of schizophrenia. A decrease in the total cell AMPA receptor currents and phosphorylation of serine845 of GluA1 is observed in chronic drug addiction. Increased expression of GluA1 causes pain and is involved in epilepsy. GluA1-promoting AMPA receptor potentiators could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. In conclusion, GluA1 agonists or antagonists might be effective in various disorders and conditions of the central nervous system that are based on GluA1 status at the synaptic region.
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Wolf ME, Tseng KY. Calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in the VTA and nucleus accumbens after cocaine exposure: when, how, and why? Front Mol Neurosci 2012; 5:72. [PMID: 22754497 PMCID: PMC3384237 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2012.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In animal models of drug addiction, cocaine exposure has been shown to increase levels of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in two brain regions that are critical for motivation and reward-the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This review compares CP-AMPAR plasticity in the two brain regions and addresses its functional significance. In VTA dopamine neurons, cocaine exposure results in synaptic insertion of high conductance CP-AMPARs in exchange for lower conductance calcium-impermeable AMPARs (CI-AMPARs). This plasticity is rapid in onset (hours), GluA2-dependent, and can be observed with a single cocaine injection. Whereas it is short-lived after experimenter-administered cocaine, it persists for months after cocaine self-administration. In addition to strengthening synapses and altering Ca(2+) signaling, CP-AMPAR insertion alters subsequent induction of plasticity at VTA synapses. However, CP-AMPAR insertion is unlikely to mediate the increased DA cell activity that occurs during early withdrawal from cocaine exposure. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) exerts a negative influence on CP-AMPAR accumulation in the VTA. Acutely, mGluR1 stimulation elicits a form of LTD resulting from CP-AMPAR removal and CI-AMPAR insertion. In medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the NAc, extended access cocaine self-administration is required to increase CP-AMPAR levels. This is first detected after approximately a month of withdrawal and then persists. Once present in NAc synapses, CP-AMPARs mediate the expression of incubation of cue-induced cocaine craving. The mechanism of their accumulation may be GluA1-dependent, which differs from that observed in the VTA. However, similar to VTA, mGluR1 stimulation removes CP-AMPARs from MSN synapses. Loss of mGluR1 tone during cocaine withdrawal may contribute to CP-AMPAR accumulation in the NAc. Thus, results in both brain regions point to the possibility of using positive modulators of mGluR1 as treatments for cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E. Wolf
- Department of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North ChicagoIL, USA
| | - Kuei Y. Tseng
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North ChicagoIL, USA
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Morales M, Pickel VM. Insights to drug addiction derived from ultrastructural views of the mesocorticolimbic system. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2011; 1248:71-88. [PMID: 22171551 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06299.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse increase the release of dopamine from mesocorticolimbic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Thus, insights into the cytoarchitecture and the synaptic circuitry affecting the activity of dopaminergic neurons in this area are fundamental for understanding the commonalities produced by mechanistically distinct drugs of abuse. Electron microscopic immunolabeling has provided these insights and also shown the critical relationships between the dopaminergic axon terminals and their targeted neurons in the prefrontal cortex and in the both the dorsal and ventral striatum. These brain regions are among those where dopamine and associated neurotransmitters are most implicated in the transition from recreational to compulsive consumption of reinforcing drugs. Thus, the synaptic circuitry and drug-induced plasticity occurring in the ventral tegmental area and in dopamine-targeted regions are reviewed, as both are essential for understanding the long-lasting changes produced by addictive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisela Morales
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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