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Vlkolinsky R, Khom S, Vozella V, Bajo M, Roberto M. Withdrawal from chronic alcohol impairs the serotonin-mediated modulation of GABAergic transmission in the infralimbic cortex in male rats. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106590. [PMID: 38996987 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106590] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The infralimbic cortex (IL) is part of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), exerting top-down control over structures that are critically involved in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Activity of the IL is tightly controlled by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission, which is susceptible to chronic alcohol exposure and withdrawal. This inhibitory control is regulated by various neuromodulators, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin). We used chronic intermittent ethanol vapor inhalation exposure, a model of AUD, in male Sprague-Dawley rats to induce alcohol dependence (Dep) followed by protracted withdrawal (WD; 2 weeks) and performed ex vivo electrophysiology using whole-cell patch clamp to study GABAergic transmission in layer V of IL pyramidal neurons. We found that WD increased frequencies of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs), whereas miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs; recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin) were unaffected by either Dep or WD. The application of 5-HT (50 μM) increased sIPSC frequencies and amplitudes in naive and Dep rats but reduced sIPSC frequencies in WD rats. Additionally, 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB242084 reduced basal GABA release in all groups to a similar extent. The blockage of either 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors in WD rats restored the impaired response to 5-HT, which then resembled responses in naive rats. Our findings expand our understanding of synaptic inhibition in the IL in AUD, indicating that antagonism of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors may restore GABAergic control over IL pyramidal neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Impairment in the serotonergic modulation of GABAergic inhibition in the medial prefrontal cortex contributes to alcohol use disorder (AUD). We used a well-established rat model of AUD and ex vivo whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to characterize the serotonin modulation of GABAergic transmission in layer V infralimbic (IL) pyramidal neurons in ethanol-naive, ethanol-dependent (Dep), and ethanol-withdrawn (WD) male rats. We found increased basal inhibition following WD from chronic alcohol and altered serotonin modulation. Exogenous serotonin enhanced GABAergic transmission in naive and Dep rats but reduced it in WD rats. 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor blockage in WD rats restored the typical serotonin-mediated enhancement of GABAergic inhibition. Our findings expand our understanding of synaptic inhibition in the infralimbic neurons in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
| | - Valentina Vozella
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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2
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Patel RR, Gandhi P, Spencer K, Salem NA, Erikson CM, Borgonetti V, Vlkolinsky R, Rodriguez L, Nadav T, Bajo M, Roberts AJ, Dayne Mayfield R, Roberto M. Functional and morphological adaptation of medial prefrontal corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1-expressing neurons in male mice following chronic ethanol exposure. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 31:100657. [PMID: 38983690 PMCID: PMC11231756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100657] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic ethanol dependence and withdrawal activate corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-containing GABAergic neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which tightly regulate glutamatergic pyramidal neurons. Using male CRF1:GFP reporter mice, we recently reported that CRF1-expressing (mPFCCRF1+) neurons predominantly comprise mPFC prelimbic layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, undergo profound adaptations following chronic ethanol exposure, and regulate anxiety and conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. To explore the effects of acute and chronic ethanol exposure on glutamate transmission, the impact of chronic alcohol on spine density and morphology, as well as persistent changes in dendritic-related gene expression, we employed whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, diOlistic labeling for dendritic spine analysis, and dendritic gene expression analysis to further characterize mPFCCRF1+ and mPFCCRF1- prelimbic layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. We found increased glutamate release in mPFCCRF1+ neurons with ethanol dependence, which recovered following withdrawal. In contrast, we did not observe significant changes in glutamate transmission in neighboring mPFCCRF1- neurons. Acute application of 44 mM ethanol significantly reduced glutamate release onto mPFCCRF1+ neurons, which was observed across all treatment groups. However, this sensitivity to acute ethanol was only evident in mPFCCRF1- neurons during withdrawal. In line with alterations in glutamate transmission, we observed a decrease in total spine density in mPFCCRF1+ neurons during dependence, which recovered following withdrawal, while again no changes were observed in mPFCCRF- neurons. Given the observed decreases in mPFCCRF1+ stubby spines during withdrawal, we then identified persistent changes at the dendritic gene expression level in mPFCCRF1+ neurons following withdrawal that may underlie these structural adaptations. Together, these findings highlight the varying responses of mPFCCRF1+ and mPFCCRF1- cell-types to acute and chronic ethanol exposure, as well as withdrawal, revealing specific functional, morphological, and molecular adaptations that may underlie vulnerability to ethanol and the lasting effects of ethanol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reesha R Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Pauravi Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Kathryn Spencer
- Core Microscopy Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Nihal A Salem
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Chloe M Erikson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tali Nadav
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Przybysz KR, Shillinglaw JE, Wheeler SR, Glover EJ. Chronic ethanol exposure produces long-lasting, subregion-specific physiological adaptations in RMTg-projecting mPFC neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592759. [PMID: 38766178 PMCID: PMC11100703 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chronic ethanol exposure produces neuroadaptations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) which facilitate the maladaptive behaviors interfering with recovery from alcohol use disorder. Despite evidence that different cortico-subcortical projections play distinct roles in behavior, few studies have examined the physiological effects of chronic ethanol at the circuit level. The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) is a GABAergic midbrain region involved in aversive signaling and is functionally altered by chronic ethanol exposure. Our recent work identified a dense input from the mPFC to the RMTg, yet the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on this circuitry is unknown. In the current study, we examined physiological changes after chronic ethanol exposure in prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) mPFC neurons projecting to the RMTg. Adult male Long-Evans rats were injected with fluorescent retrobeads into the RMTg and rendered dependent using a 14-day chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure paradigm. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings were performed in fluorescently-labeled (RMTg-projecting) and -unlabeled (projection-undefined) layer 5 pyramidal neurons 7-10 days following ethanol exposure. CIE significantly increased intrinsic excitability as well as excitatory and inhibitory synaptic drive in RMTg-projecting IL neurons. In contrast, no lasting changes in excitability were observed in RMTg-projecting PL neurons, although a CIE-induced reduction in excitability was observed in projection-undefined PL neurons. CIE also increased excitatory synaptic drive in RMTg-projecting PL neurons. These data uncover novel subregion- and circuit-specific neuroadaptations in the mPFC following chronic ethanol exposure and reveal that the IL mPFC-RMTg projection is uniquely vulnerable to long-lasting effects of chronic ethanol.
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Steiner NL, Purohit DC, Tiefenthaler CM, Mandyam CD. Abstinence and Fear Experienced during This Period Produce Distinct Cortical and Hippocampal Adaptations in Alcohol-Dependent Rats. Brain Sci 2024; 14:431. [PMID: 38790410 PMCID: PMC11118749 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrate that ethanol dependence induced by repeating cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE) followed by protracted abstinence produces significant gray matter damage via myelin dysfunction in the rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and alterations in neuronal excitability in the mPFC and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Specifically, abstinence-induced neuroadaptations have been associated with persistent elevated relapse to drinking. The current study evaluated the effects of forced abstinence for 1 day (d), 7 d, 21 d, and 42 d following seven weeks of CIE on synaptic plasticity proteins in the mPFC and DG. Immunoblotting revealed reduced expression of CaMKII in the mPFC and enhanced expression of GABAA and CaMKII in the DG at the 21 d time point, and the expression of the ratio of GluN2A/2B subunits did not change at any of the time points studied. Furthermore, cognitive performance via Pavlovian trace fear conditioning (TFC) was evaluated in 3 d abstinent rats, as this time point is associated with negative affect. In addition, the expression of the ratio of GluN2A/2B subunits and a 3D structural analysis of neurons in the mPFC and DG were evaluated in 3 d abstinent rats. Behavioral analysis revealed faster acquisition of fear responses and reduced retrieval of fear memories in CIE rats compared to controls. TFC produced hyperplasticity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC under control conditions and this effect was not evident or blunted in abstinent rats. Neurons in the DG were unaltered. TFC enhanced the GluN2A/2B ratio in the mPFC and reduced the ratio in the DG and was not altered by abstinence. These findings indicate that forced abstinence from CIE produces distinct and divergent alterations in plasticity proteins in the mPFC and DG. Fear learning-induced changes in structural plasticity and proteins contributing to it were more profound in the mPFC during forced abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah L. Steiner
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; (N.L.S.)
| | | | - Casey M. Tiefenthaler
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Chitra D. Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; (N.L.S.)
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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5
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Oliva HNP, Prudente TP, Nunes EJ, Cosgrove KP, Radhakrishnan R, Potenza MN, Angarita GA. Substance use and spine density: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02519-3. [PMID: 38561468 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The elucidation of synaptic density changes provides valuable insights into the underlying brain mechanisms of substance use. In preclinical studies, synaptic density markers, like spine density, are altered by substances of abuse (e.g., alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, nicotine). These changes could be linked to phenomena including behavioral sensitization and drug self-administration in rodents. However, studies have produced heterogeneous results for spine density across substances and brain regions. Identifying patterns will inform translational studies given tools that now exist to measure in vivo synaptic density in humans. We performed a meta-analysis of preclinical studies to identify consistent findings across studies. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and EBSCO were searched between September 2022 and September 2023, based on a protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022354006). We screened 6083 publications and included 70 for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed drug-specific patterns in spine density changes. Hippocampal spine density increased after amphetamine. Amphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine increased spine density in the nucleus accumbens. Alcohol and amphetamine increased, and cannabis reduced, spine density in the prefrontal cortex. There was no convergence of findings for morphine's effects. The effects of cocaine on the prefrontal cortex presented contrasting results compared to human studies, warranting further investigation. Publication bias was small for alcohol or morphine and substantial for the other substances. Heterogeneity was moderate-to-high across all substances. Nonetheless, these findings inform current translational efforts examining spine density in humans with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Nunes Pereira Oliva
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tiago Paiva Prudente
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Eric J Nunes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kelly P Cosgrove
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gustavo A Angarita
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
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6
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Siddiqi MT, Podder D, Pahng AR, Athanason AC, Nadav T, Cates-Gatto C, Kreifeldt M, Contet C, Roberts AJ, Edwards S, Roberto M, Varodayan FP. Prefrontal cortex glutamatergic adaptations in a mouse model of alcohol use disorder. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 9:100137. [PMID: 38152067 PMCID: PMC10752437 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) produces cognitive deficits, indicating a shift in prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. PFC glutamate neurotransmission is mostly mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type ionotropic receptors (AMPARs); however preclinical studies have mostly focused on other receptor subtypes. Here we examined the impact of early withdrawal from chronic ethanol on AMPAR function in the mouse medial PFC (mPFC). Dependent male C57BL/6J mice were generated using the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor-two bottle choice (CIE-2BC) paradigm. Non-dependent mice had access to water and ethanol bottles but did not receive ethanol vapor. Naïve mice had no ethanol exposure. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology to measure glutamate neurotransmission in layer 2/3 prelimbic mPFC pyramidal neurons. Since AMPAR function can be impacted by subunit composition or plasticity-related proteins, we probed their mPFC expression levels. Dependent mice had higher spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) amplitude and kinetics compared to the Naïve/Non-dependent mice. These effects were seen during intoxication and after 3-8 days withdrawal, and were action potential-independent, suggesting direct enhancement of AMPAR function. Surprisingly, 3 days withdrawal decreased expression of genes encoding AMPAR subunits (Gria1/2) and synaptic plasticity proteins (Dlg4 and Grip1) in Dependent mice. Further analysis within the Dependent group revealed a negative correlation between Gria1 mRNA levels and ethanol intake. Collectively, these data establish a role for mPFC AMPAR adaptations in the glutamatergic dysfunction associated with ethanol dependence. Future studies on the underlying AMPAR plasticity mechanisms that promote alcohol reinforcement, seeking, drinking and relapse behavior may help identify new targets for AUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahum T. Siddiqi
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Dhruba Podder
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Amanda R. Pahng
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, 2400 Canal Street, 11F, New Orleans, LA, 70119, USA
| | - Alexandria C. Athanason
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Tali Nadav
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Chelsea Cates-Gatto
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Max Kreifeldt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Amanda J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 533 Bolivar Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Jo D, Arjunan A, Choi S, Jung YS, Park J, Jo J, Kim OY, Song J. Oligonol ameliorates liver function and brain function in the 5 × FAD mouse model: transcriptional and cellular analysis. Food Funct 2023; 14:9650-9670. [PMID: 37843873 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo03451h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and is accompanied by memory deficits, personality changes, anxiety, depression, and social difficulties. For treatment of AD, many researchers have attempted to find medicinal resources with high effectiveness and without side effects. Oligonol is a low molecular weight polypeptide derived from lychee fruit extract. We investigated the effects of oligonol in 5 × FAD transgenic AD mice, which developed severe amyloid pathology, through behavioral tests (Barnes maze, marble burying, and nestle shredding) and molecular experiments. Oligonol treatment attenuated blood glucose levels and increased the antioxidant response in the livers of 5 × FAD mice. Moreover, the behavioral score data showed improvements in anxiety, depressive behavior, and cognitive impairment following a 2-month course of orally administered oligonol. Oligonol treatment not only altered the circulating levels of cytokines and adipokines in 5 × FAD mice, but also significantly enhanced the mRNA and protein levels of antioxidant enzymes and synaptic plasticity in the brain cortex and hippocampus. Therefore, we highlight the therapeutic potential of oligonol to attenuate neuropsychiatric problems and improve memory deficits in the early stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danbi Jo
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Science Graduate Program (BMSGP), Chonnam National University, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Archana Arjunan
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seoyoon Choi
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Science Graduate Program (BMSGP), Chonnam National University, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Seok Jung
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jihyun Park
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dong-A University, Nakdong-daero 550 beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Nakdong-daero 550 beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Jo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
| | - Oh Yoen Kim
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dong-A University, Nakdong-daero 550 beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Nakdong-daero 550 beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyun Song
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Science Graduate Program (BMSGP), Chonnam National University, Seoyangro 264, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea
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Gerace E, Curti L, Caffino L, Bigagli E, Mottarlini F, Castillo Díaz F, Ilari A, Luceri C, Dani C, Fumagalli F, Masi A, Mannaioni G. Ethanol-induced AMPA alterations are mediated by mGLU5 receptors through miRNA upregulation in hippocampal slices. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 955:175878. [PMID: 37433363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175878] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects neuronal networks and brain development causing a range of physical, cognitive and behavioural disorders in newborns that persist into adulthood. The array of consequences associated with PAE can be grouped under the umbrella-term 'fetal alcohol spectrum disorders' (FASD). Unfortunately, there is no cure for FASD as the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are still unknown. We have recently demonstrated that chronic EtOH exposure, followed by withdrawal, induces a significant decrease in AMPA receptor (AMPAR) expression and function in developing hippocampus in vitro. Here, we explored the EtOH-dependent pathways leading to hippocampal AMPAR suppression. Organotypic hippocampal slices (2 days in cultures) were exposed to EtOH (150 mM) for 7 days followed by 24 h EtOH withdrawal. Then, the slices were analysed by means of RT-PCR for miRNA content, western blotting for AMPA and NMDA related-synaptic proteins expression in postsynaptic compartment and electrophysiology to record electrical properties from CA1 pyramidal neurons. We observed that EtOH induces a significant downregulation of postsynaptic AMPA and NMDA subunits and relative scaffolding protein expression and, accordingly, a decrease of AMPA-mediated neurotransmission. Simultaneously, we found that chronic EtOH induced-upregulation of miRNA 137 and 501-3p and decreased AMPA-mediated neurotransmission are prevented by application of the selective mGlu5 antagonist MPEP during EtOH withdrawal. Our data indicate mGlu5 via miRNA137 and 501-3p expression as key factors in the regulation of AMPAergic neurotransmission that may contribute, at least in part, to the pathogenesis of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Gerace
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Health Sciences (DSS), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Curti
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bigagli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Fernando Castillo Díaz
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alice Ilari
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Luceri
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Dani
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Division of Neonatology, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessio Masi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Mannaioni
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Nonoguchi HA, Jin M, Narreddy R, Kouo TWS, Nayak M, Trenet W, Mandyam CD. Progenitor Cells Play a Role in Reinstatement of Ethanol Seeking in Adult Male and Female Ethanol Dependent Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12233. [PMID: 37569609 PMCID: PMC10419311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512233] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Female and male glial fibrillary acidic protein-thymidine kinase (GFAP-TK) transgenic rats were made ethanol dependent via a six-week chronic intermittent ethanol vapor (CIE) and ethanol drinking (ED) procedure. During the last week of CIE, a subset of male and female TK rats was fed valcyte to ablate dividing progenitor cells and continued the diet until the end of this study. Following week six, all CIE rats experienced two weeks of forced abstinence from CIE-ED, after which they experienced relapse to drinking, extinction, and reinstatement of ethanol seeking sessions. CIE increased ED in female and male rats, with females having higher ethanol consumption during CIE and relapse sessions compared with males. In both sexes, valcyte reduced the levels of Ki-67-labeled progenitor cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus and did not alter the levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Valcyte increased ED during relapse, increased lever responses during extinction and, interestingly, enhanced latency to extinguish ethanol-seeking behaviors in males. Valcyte reduced the reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behaviors triggered by ethanol cues in females and males. Reduced seeking by valcyte was associated with the normalization of cytokines and chemokines in plasma isolated from trunk blood, indicating a role for progenitor cells in peripheral inflammatory responses. Reduced seeking by valcyte was associated with increases in tight junction protein claudin-5 and oligodendrogenesis in the dentate gyrus and reduction in microglial activity in the dentate gyrus and mPFC in females and males, demonstrating a role for progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus in dependence-induced endothelial and microglial dysfunction. These data suggest that progenitor cells born during withdrawal and abstinence from CIE in the dentate gyrus are aberrant and could play a role in strengthening ethanol memories triggered by ethanol cues via central and peripheral immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Jin
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wulfran Trenet
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Chitra D. Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
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10
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Li Q, Kang X, Liu L, Xiao Y, Xu D, Zhuang H, Liu H, Zhao J, Zou H, Yang J, Zhan X, Li T, Wang X, Liu L. Adult mice with noise-induced hearing loss exhibited temporal ordering memory deficits accompanied by microglia-associated neuroplastic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106181. [PMID: 37271287 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106181] [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: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquired peripheral hearing loss in midlife is considered the primary modifiable risk factor for dementia, while the underlying pathological mechanism remains poorly understood. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of acquired peripheral hearing loss in modern society. This study was designed to investigate the impact of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on cognition, with a focus on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region that is involved in both auditory and cognitive processes and is highly affected in patients with cognitive impairment. Adult C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned to a control group and seven noise groups: 0HPN, 12HPN, 1DPN, 3DPN, 7DPN, 14DPN, and 28DPN, which were exposed to broadband noise at a 123 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 2 h and sacrificed immediately (0 h), 12 h, or 1, 3, 7, 14, or 28 days post-noise exposure (HPN, DPN), respectively. Hearing assessment, behavioral tests, and neuromorphological studies in the mPFC were performed in control and 28DPN mice. All experimental animals were included in the time-course analysis of serum corticosterone (CORT) levels and mPFC microglial morphology. The results illustrated that noise exposure induced early-onset transient serum CORT elevation and permanent moderate-to-severe hearing loss in mice. 28DPN mice, in which permanent NIHL has been verified, exhibited impaired performance in temporal order object recognition tasks concomitant with reduced structural complexity of mPFC pyramidal neurons. The time-course immunohistochemical analysis in the mPFC revealed significantly higher morphological microglial activation at 14 and 28 DPN, preceded by a remarkably higher amount of microglial engulfed postsynaptic marker PSD95 at 7 DPN. Additionally, lipid accumulation in microglia was observed in 7DPN, 14DPN and 28DPN mice, suggesting a driving role of lipid handling deficits following excessive phagocytosis of synaptic elements in delayed and sustained microglial abnormalities. These findings provide fundamentally novel information concerning mPFC-related cognitive impairment in mice with NIHL and empirical evidence suggesting the involvement of microglial malfunction in the mPFC neurodegenerative consequences of NIHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaomin Kang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Linchen Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dan Xu
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hong Zhuang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haiqing Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Jingyi Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Han Zou
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jianing Yang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xindi Zhan
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tianxiao Li
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xinchen Wang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lijie Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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11
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Flores-Ramirez FJ, Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Illenberger JM, Di Ottavio F, Roberto M, Martin-Fardon R. Blockade of orexin receptors in the infralimbic cortex prevents stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behaviour in alcohol-dependent rats. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:1500-1515. [PMID: 36537731 PMCID: PMC10577928 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16015] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A major problem managing alcohol use disorder is the high vulnerability to relapse, even after long periods of abstinence. Chronic alcohol use dysregulates stress responsivity, rendering this system hyporesponsive and making individuals vulnerable to relapse. Orexin (hypocretin) plays a role in diverse physiological processes, including stress. Orexin neurons in the hypothalamus, project to the infralimbic cortex. This study asked does infralimbic cortex orexin transmission play a significant role in stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behaviour in alcohol-dependent rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Male and female rats were trained to self-administer 10% alcohol (3 weeks) and then made dependent via chronic intermittent alcohol vapour exposure. Following extinction (5 days·week-1 at 8 h abstinence for 10 sessions), rats received an intra- infralimbic cortex microinfusion of the OX1/2 antagonist TCS 1102 (15 μg/0.5 μl per side) and then tested for footshock stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. In a separate cohort, orexin regulation of infralimbic cortex neuronal activity at the time of reinstatement was investigated using ex vivo electrophysiology. KEY RESULTS TCS 1102 prevented reinstatement in dependent animals only. Moreover, Hcrtr mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and Hcrtr1/2 in the infralimbic cortex increased in alcohol-dependent animals at the time of testing. Dependence dampened basal orexin/OX receptor influence over infralimbic cortex GABAergic synapses (using TCS 1102) allow for greater stimulated orexin effects. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Infralimbic cortex transmission is implicate in stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behaviour in subjects with a history of alcohol dependence and show maladaptive recruitment of infralimbic cortex transmission by alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Reesha R. Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Francesca Di Ottavio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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12
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Tochon L, Vouimba RM, Corio M, Henkous N, Béracochéa D, Guillou JL, David V. Chronic alcohol consumption shifts learning strategies and synaptic plasticity from hippocampus to striatum-dependent pathways. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1129030. [PMID: 37304443 PMCID: PMC10250670 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1129030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The hippocampus and striatum have dissociable roles in memory and are necessary for spatial and procedural/cued learning, respectively. Emotionally charged, stressful events promote the use of striatal- over hippocampus-dependent learning through the activation of the amygdala. An emerging hypothesis suggests that chronic consumption of addictive drugs similarly disrupt spatial/declarative memory while facilitating striatum-dependent associative learning. This cognitive imbalance could contribute to maintain addictive behaviors and increase the risk of relapse. Methods We first examined, in C57BL/6 J male mice, whether chronic alcohol consumption (CAC) and alcohol withdrawal (AW) might modulate the respective use of spatial vs. single cue-based learning strategies, using a competition protocol in the Barnes maze task. We then performed in vivo electrophysiological studies in freely moving mice to assess learning-induced synaptic plasticity in both the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to dorsal hippocampus (dCA1) and BLA to dorsolateral striatum (DLS) pathways. Results We found that both CAC and early AW promote the use of cue-dependent learning strategies, and potentiate plasticity in the BLA → DLS pathway while reducing the use of spatial memory and depressing BLA → dCA1 neurotransmission. Discussion These results support the view that CAC disrupt normal hippocampo-striatal interactions, and suggest that targeting this cognitive imbalance through spatial/declarative task training could be of great help to maintain protracted abstinence in alcoholic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Tochon
- *Correspondence: Léa Tochon, ; Vincent David,
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13
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Athanason A, Nadav T, Cates-Gatto C, Roberts A, Roberto M, Varodayan F. Chronic ethanol alters adrenergic receptor gene expression and produces cognitive deficits in male mice. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100542. [PMID: 37197395 PMCID: PMC10184141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperkateifia and stress-induced alcohol cravings drive relapse in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The brain stress signal norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) tightly controls cognitive and affective behavior and was thought to be broadly dysregulated with AUD. The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major source of forebrain norepinephrine, and it was recently discovered that the LC sends distinct projections to addiction-associated regions suggesting that alcohol-induced noradrenergic changes may be more brain region-specific than originally thought. Here we investigated whether ethanol dependence alters adrenergic receptor gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and central amgydala (CeA), as these regions mediate the cognitive impairment and negative affective state of ethanol withdrawal. We exposed male C57BL/6J mice to the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor-2 bottle choice paradigm (CIE-2BC) to induce ethanol dependence, and assessed reference memory, anxiety-like behavior and adrenergic receptor transcript levels during 3-6 days of withdrawal. Dependence bidirectionally altered mouse brain α1 and β receptor mRNA levels, potentially leading to reduced mPFC adrenergic signaling and enhanced noradrenergic influence over the CeA. These brain region-specific gene expression changes were accompanied by long-term retention deficits and a shift in search strategy in a modified Barnes maze task, as well as greater spontaneous digging behavior and hyponeophagia. Current clinical studies are evaluating adrenergic compounds as a treatment for AUD-associated hyperkatefia, and our findings can contribute to the refinement of these therapies by increasing understanding of the specific neural systems and symptoms that may be targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.C. Athanason
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - T. Nadav
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - C. Cates-Gatto
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - A.J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - M. Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - F.P. Varodayan
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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14
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Varodayan FP, Pahng AR, Davis TD, Gandhi P, Bajo M, Steinman MQ, Kiosses WB, Blednov YA, Burkart MD, Edwards S, Roberts AJ, Roberto M. Chronic ethanol induces a pro-inflammatory switch in interleukin-1β regulation of GABAergic signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex of male mice. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:125-139. [PMID: 36863493 PMCID: PMC10106421 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroimmune pathways regulate brain function to influence complex behavior and play a role in several neuropsychiatric diseases, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). In particular, the interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has emerged as a key regulator of the brain's response to ethanol (alcohol). Here we investigated the mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced neuroadaptation of IL-1β signaling at GABAergic synapses in the prelimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), an area responsible for integrating contextual information to mediate conflicting motivational drives. We exposed C57BL/6J male mice to the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor-2 bottle choice paradigm (CIE-2BC) to induce ethanol dependence, and conducted ex vivo electrophysiology and molecular analyses. We found that the IL-1 system regulates basal mPFC function through its actions at inhibitory synapses on prelimbic layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. IL-1β can selectively recruit either neuroprotective (PI3K/Akt) or pro-inflammatory (MyD88/p38 MAPK) mechanisms to produce opposing synaptic effects. In ethanol naïve conditions, there was a strong PI3K/Akt bias leading to a disinhibition of pyramidal neurons. Ethanol dependence produced opposite IL-1 effects - enhanced local inhibition via a switch in IL-1β signaling to the canonical pro-inflammatory MyD88 pathway. Ethanol dependence also increased cellular IL-1β in the mPFC, while decreasing expression of downstream effectors (Akt, p38 MAPK). Thus, IL-1β may represent a key neural substrate in ethanol-induced cortical dysfunction. As the IL-1 receptor antagonist (kineret) is already FDA-approved for other diseases, this work underscores the high therapeutic potential of IL-1 signaling/neuroimmune-based treatments for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - A R Pahng
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA; Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - T D Davis
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - P Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Q Steinman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - W B Kiosses
- Microscopy Core Imaging Facility, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Y A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - M D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - A J Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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15
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Asch RH, Hillmer AT, Baldassarri SR, Esterlis I. The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 168:265-310. [PMID: 36868631 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The role of glutamate system in the etiology and pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders has gained considerable attention in the past two decades, including dysregulation of the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5). Thus, mGlu5 may represent a promising therapeutic target for psychiatric conditions, particularly stress-related disorders. Here, we describe mGlu5 findings in mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma disorders, as well as substance use (specifically nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use). We highlight insights gained from positron emission tomography (PET) studies, where possible, and discuss findings from treatment trials, when available, to explore the role of mGlu5 in these psychiatric disorders. Through the research evidence reviewed in this chapter, we make the argument that, not only is dysregulation of mGlu5 evident in numerous psychiatric disorders, potentially functioning as a disease "biomarker," the normalization of glutamate neurotransmission via changes in mGlu5 expression and/or modulation of mGlu5 signaling may be a needed component in treating some psychiatric disorders or symptoms. Finally, we hope to demonstrate the utility of PET as an important tool for investigating mGlu5 in disease mechanisms and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H Asch
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Ansel T Hillmer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stephen R Baldassarri
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Irina Esterlis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States
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16
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Patel RR, Wolfe SA, Borgonetti V, Gandhi PJ, Rodriguez L, Snyder AE, D'Ambrosio S, Bajo M, Domissy A, Head S, Contet C, Dayne Mayfield R, Roberts AJ, Roberto M. Ethanol withdrawal-induced adaptations in prefrontal corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1-expressing neurons regulate anxiety and conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3441-3451. [PMID: 35668157 PMCID: PMC9708587 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal circuits are thought to underlie aberrant emotion contributing to relapse in abstinence; however, the discrete cell-types and mechanisms remain largely unknown. Corticotropin-releasing factor and its cognate type-1 receptor, a prominent brain stress system, is implicated in anxiety and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we tested the hypothesis that medial prefrontal cortex CRF1-expressing (mPFCCRF1+) neurons comprise a distinct population that exhibits neuroadaptations following withdrawal from chronic ethanol underlying AUD-related behavior. We found that mPFCCRF1+ neurons comprise a glutamatergic population with distinct electrophysiological properties and regulate anxiety and conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. Notably, mPFCCRF1+ neurons undergo unique neuroadaptations compared to neighboring neurons including a remarkable decrease in excitability and glutamatergic signaling selectively in withdrawal, which is driven in part by the basolateral amygdala. To gain mechanistic insight into these electrophysiological adaptations, we sequenced the transcriptome of mPFCCRF1+ neurons and found that withdrawal leads to an increase in colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) in this population. We found that selective overexpression of CSF1 in mPFCCRF1+ neurons is sufficient to decrease glutamate transmission, heighten anxiety, and abolish ethanol reinforcement, providing mechanistic insight into the observed mPFCCRF1+ synaptic adaptations in withdrawal that drive these behavioral phenotypes. Together, these findings highlight mPFCCRF1+ neurons as a critical site of enduring adaptations that may contribute to the persistent vulnerability to ethanol misuse in abstinence, and CSF1 as a novel target for therapeutic intervention for withdrawal-related negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reesha R Patel
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50139, Firenze (FI), Italy
| | - Pauravi J Gandhi
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Angela E Snyder
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Shannon D'Ambrosio
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alain Domissy
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven Head
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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17
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Melugin PR, Wu F, Munoz C, Phensy A, Pradhan G, Luo Y, Nofal A, Manepalli R, Kroener S. The effects of acamprosate on prefrontal cortical function are mimicked by CaCl2 and they are influenced by the history of alcohol exposure. Neuropharmacology 2022; 212:109062. [PMID: 35430241 PMCID: PMC10804777 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109062] [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: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is associated with functional changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which include altered glutamatergic transmission and deficits in executive functions that contribute to relapse. Acamprosate (calcium-bis N-acetylhomotaurinate) reduces alcohol craving and relapse, effects that are thought to be mediated by acamprosate's ability to ameliorate alcohol-induced dysregulation of glutamatergic signaling. Treatment with acamprosate and its active moiety calcium (CaCl2) both improve deficits in cognitive flexibility in postdependent mice following chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure. Here, we show that mice that self-administered alcohol under goal-directed conditions (i.e., operant responding on a fixed-ratio schedule) also display similar deficits in cognitive flexibility and altered glutamatergic signaling in the mPFC, both of which were improved with acamprosate or CaCl2. However, under conditions shown to bias behavior towards habitual responding (operant self-administration after CIE exposure, or on a variable interval schedule), alcohol-induced changes to glutamatergic transmission were unaffected by either acamprosate or CaCl2 treatment. Together, these findings suggest that the variable effects of acamprosate on synaptic signaling may reflect a shift in mPFC networks related to the loss of behavioral control in habitual alcohol-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R Melugin
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fei Wu
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA; Institute of Neurobiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Crystal Munoz
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Aarron Phensy
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Grishma Pradhan
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yi Luo
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Abraham Nofal
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rohan Manepalli
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sven Kroener
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX, USA.
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18
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Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Matzeu A, Wolfe SA, Curley DE, Khom S, Gandhi PJ, Rodriguez L, Bajo M, D'Ambrosio S, Sun H, Kerr TM, Gonzales RA, Leggio L, Natividad LA, Haass-Koffler CL, Martin-Fardon R, Roberto M. The Amygdala Noradrenergic System Is Compromised With Alcohol Use Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:1008-1018. [PMID: 35430085 PMCID: PMC9167785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a leading preventable cause of death. The central amygdala (CeA) is a hub for stress and AUD, while dysfunction of the noradrenaline stress system is implicated in AUD relapse. METHODS Here, we investigated whether alcohol (ethanol) dependence and protracted withdrawal alter noradrenergic regulation of the amygdala in rodents and humans. Male adult rats were housed under control conditions, subjected to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure to induce dependence, or withdrawn from chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure for 2 weeks, and ex vivo electrophysiology, biochemistry (catecholamine quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography), in situ hybridization, and behavioral brain-site specific pharmacology studies were performed. We also used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess gene expression of α1B, β1, and β2 adrenergic receptors in human postmortem brain tissue from men diagnosed with AUD and matched control subjects. RESULTS We found that α1 receptors potentiate CeA GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) transmission and drive moderate alcohol intake in control rats. In dependent rats, β receptors disinhibit a subpopulation of CeA neurons, contributing to their excessive drinking. Withdrawal produces CeA functional recovery with no change in local noradrenaline tissue concentrations, although there are some long-lasting differences in the cellular patterns of adrenergic receptor messenger RNA expression. In addition, postmortem brain analyses reveal increased α1B receptor messenger RNA in the amygdala of humans with AUD. CONCLUSIONS CeA adrenergic receptors are key neural substrates of AUD. Identification of these novel mechanisms that drive alcohol drinking, particularly during the alcohol-dependent state, supports ongoing new medication development for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence P Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Alessandra Matzeu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Dallece E Curley
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Pauravi J Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Shannon D'Ambrosio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Hui Sun
- Clinical Core Laboratory, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tony M Kerr
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Luis A Natividad
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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19
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Ochi R, Ueno F, Sakuma M, Tani H, Tsugawa S, Graff-Guerrero A, Uchida H, Mimura M, Oshima S, Matsushita S, Nakajima S. Patterns of functional connectivity alterations induced by alcohol reflect somatostatin interneuron expression in the human cerebral cortex. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7896. [PMID: 35550587 PMCID: PMC9098480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute alcohol administration affects functional connectivity, yet the underlying mechanism is unknown. Previous work suggested that a moderate dose of alcohol reduces the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons, thereby leading to a state of pyramidal disinhibition and hyperexcitability. The present study aims to relate alcohol-induced changes in functional connectivity to regional genetic markers of GABAergic interneurons. Healthy young adults (N = 15, 5 males) underwent resting state functional MRI scanning prior to alcohol administration, immediately and 90 min after alcohol administration. Functional connectivity density mapping was performed to quantify alcohol-induced changes in resting brain activity between conditions. Patterns of differences between conditions were related to regional genetic markers that express the primary GABAergic cortical interneuron subtypes (parvalbumin, somatostatin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A) obtained from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Acute alcohol administration increased local functional connectivity density within the visual cortex, sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, striatum, and cerebellum. Patterns of alcohol-induced changes in local functional connectivity density inversely correlated with somatostatin cortical gene expression. These findings suggest that somatostatin-expressing interneurons modulate alcohol-induced changes in functional connectivity in healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Ueno
- Multimodal Imaging Group, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mutsuki Sakuma
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tani
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Sakiko Tsugawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Ariel Graff-Guerrero
- Multimodal Imaging Group, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shunji Oshima
- Sustainable Technology Laboratories, Asahi Quality and Innovations, Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sachio Matsushita
- National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
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20
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Smart K, Worhunsky PD, Scheinost D, Angarita GA, Esterlis I, Carson RE, Krystal JH, O'Malley SS, Cosgrove KP, Hillmer AT. Multimodal neuroimaging of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors and functional connectivity in alcohol use disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:770-782. [PMID: 35342968 PMCID: PMC9117461 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14816] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) show altered resting brain connectivity. The metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptor is an important regulator of synaptic plasticity potentially linked with synchronized brain activity and a target of interest in treating AUD. The goal of this work was to assess potential relationships of brain connectivity at rest with mGlu5 receptor availability in people with AUD at two time points early in abstinence. METHODS Forty-eight image data sets were acquired with a multimodal neuroimaging battery that included resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and mGlu5 receptor positron emission tomography (PET) with the radiotracer [18 F]FPEB. Participants with AUD (n = 14) were scanned twice, at approximately 1 and 4 weeks after beginning supervised abstinence. [18 F]FPEB PET results were published previously. Primary comparisons of fMRI outcomes were performed between the AUD group and healthy controls (HCs; n = 23) and assessed changes over time within the AUD group. Relationships between resting-state connectivity measures and mGlu5 receptor availability were explored within groups. RESULTS Compared to HCs, global functional connectivity of the orbitofrontal cortex was higher in the AUD group at 4 weeks of abstinence (p = 0.003), while network-level functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) was lower (p < 0.04). Exploratory multimodal analyses showed that mGlu5 receptor availability was correlated with global connectivity across all brain regions (HCs, r = 0.41; AUD group at 1 week of abstinence, r = 0.50 and at 4 weeks, r = 0.46; all p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a component of cortical and striatal mGlu5 availability was correlated with connectivity between the DMN and salience networks in HCs (r = 0.60, p = 0.003) but not in the AUD group (p > 0.3). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings of altered global and network connectivity during the first month of abstinence from drinking may reflect the loss of efficient network function, while exploratory relationships with mGlu5 receptor availability suggest a potential glutamatergic relationship with network coherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Smart
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Patrick D Worhunsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gustavo A Angarita
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Irina Esterlis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard E Carson
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Kelly P Cosgrove
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ansel T Hillmer
- Yale PET Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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21
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Charlton AJ, Perry CJ. The Effect of Chronic Alcohol on Cognitive Decline: Do Variations in Methodology Impact Study Outcome? An Overview of Research From the Past 5 Years. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:836827. [PMID: 35360176 PMCID: PMC8960615 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.836827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use is often associated with accelerated cognitive decline, and extensive research using animal models of human alcohol consumption has been conducted into potential mechanisms for this relationship. Within this literature there is considerable variability in the types of models used. For example, alcohol administration style (voluntary/forced), length and schedule of exposure and abstinence period are often substantially different between studies. In this review, we evaluate recent research into alcohol-induced cognitive decline according to methodology of alcohol access, as well as cognitive behavioral task employed. Our aim was to query whether the nature and severity of deficits observed may be impacted by the schedule and type of alcohol administration. We furthermore examined whether there is any apparent relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of the deficit, as well as the potential impact of abstinence length, and other factors such as age of administration, and sex of subject. Over the past five years, researchers have overwhelmingly used non-voluntary methods of intake, however deficits are still found where intake is voluntary. Magnitude of intake and type of task seem most closely related to the likelihood of producing a deficit, however even this did not follow a consistent pattern. We highlight the importance of using systematic and clear reporting styles to facilitate consistency across the literature in this regard. We hope that this analysis will provide important insights into how experimental protocols might influence findings, and how different patterns of consumption are more or less likely to produce an addiction-vulnerable cognitive phenotype in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annai J. Charlton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christina J. Perry
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Christina J. Perry,
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22
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Lawson K, Scarlata M, Cho C, Mangan C, Petersen D, Thompson H, Ehnstrom S, Mousley A, Bezek J, Bergstrom H. Adolescence alcohol exposure impairs fear extinction and alters medial prefrontal cortex plasticity. Neuropharmacology 2022; 211:109048. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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23
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Dao NC, Brockway DF, Suresh Nair M, Sicher AR, Crowley NA. Somatostatin neurons control an alcohol binge drinking prelimbic microcircuit in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1906-1917. [PMID: 34112959 PMCID: PMC8429551 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01050-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Somatostatin (SST) neurons have been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, but their role in substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), is not fully characterized. Here, we found that repeated cycles of alcohol binge drinking via the Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) model led to hypoactivity of SST neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex by diminishing their action potential firing capacity and excitatory/inhibitory transmission dynamic. We examined their role in regulating alcohol consumption via bidirectional chemogenetic manipulation. Both hM3Dq-induced excitation and KORD-induced silencing of PL SST neurons reduced alcohol binge drinking in males and females, with no effect on sucrose consumption. Alcohol binge drinking disinhibited pyramidal neurons by augmenting SST neurons-mediated GABA release and synaptic strength onto other GABAergic populations and reducing spontaneous inhibitory transmission onto pyramidal neurons. Pyramidal neurons additionally displayed increased intrinsic excitability. Direct inhibition of PL pyramidal neurons via hM4Di was sufficient to reduce alcohol binge drinking. Together these data revealed an SST-mediated microcircuit in the PL that modulates the inhibitory dynamics of pyramidal neurons, a major source of output to subcortical targets to drive reward-seeking behaviors and emotional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel C Dao
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Dakota F Brockway
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Malini Suresh Nair
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Avery R Sicher
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nicole A Crowley
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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24
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Leyrer-Jackson JM, Hood LE, Olive MF. Drugs of Abuse Differentially Alter the Neuronal Excitability of Prefrontal Layer V Pyramidal Cell Subtypes. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:703655. [PMID: 34421542 PMCID: PMC8374073 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.703655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays an important role in regulating executive functions including reward seeking, task flexibility, and compulsivity. Studies in humans have demonstrated that drugs of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol, alter prefrontal function resulting in the consequential loss of inhibitory control and increased compulsive behaviors, including drug seeking. Within the mPFC, layer V pyramidal cells, which are delineated into two major subtypes (type I and type II, which project to subcortical or commissurally to other cortical regions, respectively), serve as the major output cells which integrate information from other cortical and subcortical regions and mediate executive control. Preclinical studies examining changes in cellular physiology in the mPFC in response to drugs of abuse, especially in regard to layer V pyramidal subtypes, are relatively sparse. In the present study, we aimed to explore how heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ethanol, and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) alter the baseline cellular physiology and excitability properties of layer V pyramidal cell subtypes. Specifically, animals were exposed to experimenter delivered [intraperitoneal (i.p.)] heroin, cocaine, the cocaine-like synthetic cathinone MDPV, methamphetamine, ethanol, or saline as a control once daily for five consecutive days. On the fifth day, whole-cell physiology recordings were conducted from type I and type II layer V pyramidal cells in the mPFC. Changes in cellular excitability, including rheobase (i.e., the amount of injected current required to elicit action potentials), changes in input/output curves, as well as spiking characteristics induced by each substance, were assessed. We found that heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDPV decreased the excitability of type II cells, whereas ethanol increased the excitability of type I pyramidal cells. Together, these results suggest that heroin, cocaine, MDPV, and methamphetamine reduce mPFC commissural output by reducing type II excitability, while ethanol increases the excitability of type I cells targeting subcortical structures. Thus, separate classes of abused drugs differentially affect layer V pyramidal subtypes in the mPFC, which may ultimately give rise to compulsivity and inappropriate synaptic plasticity underlying substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren E Hood
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - M Foster Olive
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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25
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Joffe ME, Winder DG, Conn PJ. Increased Synaptic Strength and mGlu 2/3 Receptor Plasticity on Mouse Prefrontal Cortex Intratelencephalic Pyramidal Cells Following Intermittent Access to Ethanol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:518-529. [PMID: 33434325 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for regulating craving and alcohol seeking in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients and alcohol seeking in animal models. Maladaptive changes in volitional ethanol (EtOH) intake have been associated with PFC function, yet synaptic adaptations within PFC have not been consistently detected in voluntary drinking rodent models. At least 80% of the neurons in PFC are glutamatergic pyramidal cells. Pyramidal cells provide the predominant cortical output to several brain regions relevant to AUD, including structures within the telencephalon (IT: e.g., basal ganglia, amygdala, other neocortical regions) and outside the telencephalon (ET: e.g., lateral hypothalamus, midbrain monoaminergic structures, thalamus). METHODS In addition to their anatomical distinctions, studies from several laboratories have revealed that prefrontal cortical IT and ET pyramidal cells may be differentiated by specific electrophysiological parameters. These distinguishable parameters make it possible to readily classify pyramidal cells into separable subtypes. Here, we employed and validated the hyperpolarization sag ratio as a diagnostic proxy for separating ET (type A) and IT (type B) neurons. We recorded from deep-layer prelimbic PFC pyramidal cells of mice 1 day after 4 to 5 weeks of intermittent access (IA) EtOH exposure. RESULTS Membrane properties were not altered by IA EtOH, but excitatory postsynaptic strength onto IT type B neurons was selectively enhanced in slices from IA EtOH mice. The increased excitatory drive was accompanied by enhanced mGlu2/3 receptor plasticity on IT type B neurons, providing a potential translational approach to mitigate cognitive and motivational changes to PFC function related to binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS Together, these studies provide insight into the specific PFC neurocircuits altered by voluntary drinking. In addition, the findings provide an additional rationale for developing compounds that potentiate mGlu2 and/or mGlu3 receptor function as potential treatments for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Danny G Winder
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
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26
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Cannady R, Nguyen T, Padula AE, Rinker JA, Lopez MF, Becker HC, Woodward JJ, Mulholland PJ. Interaction of chronic intermittent ethanol and repeated stress on structural and functional plasticity in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2021; 182:108396. [PMID: 33181147 PMCID: PMC7942177 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a risk factor that plays a considerable role in the development and maintenance of alcohol (ethanol) abuse and relapse. Preclinical studies examining ethanol-stress interactions have demonstrated elevated ethanol drinking, cognitive deficits, and negative affective behaviors in mice. However, the neural adaptations in prefrontal cortical regions that drive these aberrant behaviors produced by ethanol-stress interactions are unknown. In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) and repeated forced swim stress (FSS). After two cycles of CIE x FSS, brain slices containing the prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IfL) cortex were prepared for analysis of adaptations in dendritic spines and synaptic plasticity. In the PrL cortex, total spine density was increased in mice exposed to CIE. Immediately following induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), the fEPSP slope was increased in the PrL of CIE x FSS treated mice, indicative of a presynaptic adaptation on post-tetanic potentiation (PTP). In the IfL cortex, CIE exposure regardless of FSS experience resulted in an increase in spine density. FSS alone or when combined with CIE exposure increased PTP following LTP induction. Repeated FSS episodes increased IfL cortical paired-pulse facilitation, a second measure of presynaptic plasticity. In summary, CIE exposure resulted in structural adaptations while repeated stress exposure drove metaplastic changes in presynaptic function, demonstrating distinct morphological and functional changes in PrL and IfL cortical neurons. Thus, the structural and functional adaptations may be one mechanism underlying the development of excessive drinking and cognitive deficits associated with ethanol-stress interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald Cannady
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA; Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, 1601 East Market Street, Barnes Hall 215, Greensboro, NC, 27411, USA
| | - Tiffany Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Audrey E Padula
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - John J Woodward
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Patrick J Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Alcohol is one of the oldest pharmacological agents used for its sedative/hypnotic effects, and alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) continues to be major public health issue. AUD is strongly indicated to be a brain disorder, and the molecular and cellular mechanism/s by which alcohol produces its effects in the brain are only now beginning to be understood. In the brain, synaptic plasticity or strengthening or weakening of synapses, can be enhanced or reduced by a variety of stimulation paradigms. Synaptic plasticity is thought to be responsible for important processes involved in the cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a form of synaptic plasticity, and occurs via N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR or GluN) dependent and independent mechanisms. In particular, NMDARs are a major target of alcohol, and are implicated in different types of learning and memory. Therefore, understanding the effect of alcohol on synaptic plasticity and transmission mediated by glutamatergic signaling is becoming important, and this will help us understand the significant contribution of the glutamatergic system in AUD. In the first part of this review, we will briefly discuss the mechanisms underlying long term synaptic plasticity in the dorsal striatum, neocortex and the hippocampus. In the second part we will discuss how alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) can modulate long term synaptic plasticity in these three brain regions, mainly from neurophysiological and electrophysiological studies. Taken together, understanding the mechanism(s) underlying alcohol induced changes in brain function may lead to the development of more effective therapeutic agents to reduce AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chitra D Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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28
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Frank K, Abeynaike S, Nikzad R, Patel RR, Roberts AJ, Roberto M, Paust S. Alcohol dependence promotes systemic IFN-γ and IL-17 responses in mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239246. [PMID: 33347446 PMCID: PMC7751976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD is associated with a variety of physiological changes and is a substantial risk factor for numerous diseases. We aimed to characterize systemic alterations in immune responses using a well-established mouse model of chronic intermittent alcohol exposure to induce alcohol dependence. We exposed mice to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor for 4 weeks and analyzed the expression of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-17 by different immune cells in the blood, spleen and liver of alcohol dependent and non-dependent control mice through multiparametric flow cytometry. We found increases in IFN-γ and IL-17 expression in a cell type- and organ-specific manner. Often, B cells and neutrophils were primary contributors to increased IFN-γ and IL-17 levels while other cell types played a secondary role. We conclude that chronic alcohol exposure promotes systemic pro-inflammatory IFN-γ and IL-17 responses in mice. These responses are likely important in the development of alcohol-related diseases, but further characterization is necessary to understand the initiation and effects of systemic inflammatory responses to chronic alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Frank
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Shawn Abeynaike
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Rana Nikzad
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Reesha R. Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Amanda J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Silke Paust
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Warden AS, Wolfe SA, Khom S, Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Steinman MQ, Bajo M, Montgomery SE, Vlkolinsky R, Nadav T, Polis I, Roberts AJ, Mayfield RD, Harris RA, Roberto M. Microglia Control Escalation of Drinking in Alcohol-Dependent Mice: Genomic and Synaptic Drivers. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:910-921. [PMID: 32680583 PMCID: PMC7674270 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglia, the primary immune cells of the brain, are implicated in alcohol use disorder. However, it is not known if microglial activation contributes to the transition from alcohol use to alcohol use disorder or is a consequence of alcohol intake. METHODS We investigated the role of microglia in a mouse model of alcohol dependence using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor (PLX5622) to deplete microglia and a chronic intermittent ethanol vapor two-bottle choice drinking procedure. Additionally, we examined anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal. We then analyzed synaptic neuroadaptations in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and gene expression changes in the medial prefrontal cortex and CeA from the same animals used for behavioral studies. RESULTS PLX5622 prevented escalations in voluntary alcohol intake and decreased anxiety-like behavior associated with alcohol dependence. PLX5622 also reversed expression changes in inflammatory-related genes and glutamatergic and GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) genes in the medial prefrontal cortex and CeA. At the cellular level in these animals, microglia depletion reduced inhibitory GABAA and excitatory glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the CeA, supporting the hypothesis that microglia regulate dependence-induced changes in neuronal function. CONCLUSIONS Our multifaceted approach is the first to link microglia to the molecular, cellular, and behavioral changes associated with the development of alcohol dependence, suggesting that microglia may also be critical for the development and progression of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sophia Khom
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Florence P Varodayan
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michael Q Steinman
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michal Bajo
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sarah E Montgomery
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Tali Nadav
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ilham Polis
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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Avchalumov Y, Oliver RJ, Trenet W, Heyer Osorno RE, Sibley BD, Purohit DC, Contet C, Roberto M, Woodward JJ, Mandyam CD. Chronic ethanol exposure differentially alters neuronal function in the medial prefrontal cortex and dentate gyrus. Neuropharmacology 2020; 185:108438. [PMID: 33333103 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the function of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus have been implicated in underlying the relapse to alcohol seeking behaviors in humans and animal models of moderate to severe alcohol use disorders (AUD). Here we used chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE), 21d protracted abstinence following CIE (21d AB), and re-exposure to one vapor session during protracted abstinence (re-exposure) to evaluate the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on basal synaptic function, neuronal excitability and expression of key synaptic proteins that play a role in neuronal excitability in the medial PFC (mPFC) and dentate gyrus (DG). CIE consistently enhanced excitability of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the mPFC and granule cell neurons in the DG. In the DG, this effect persisted during 21d AB. Re-exposure did not enhance excitability, suggesting resistance to vapor-induced effects. Analysis of action potential kinetics revealed that altered afterhyperpolarization, rise time and decay time constants are associated with the altered excitability during CIE, 21d AB and re-exposure. Molecular adaptations that may underlie increases in neuronal excitability under these different conditions were identified. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction of large-conductance potassium (BK) channel subunit mRNA in PFC and DG tissue homogenates did not show altered expression patterns of BK subunits. Western blotting demonstrates enhanced phosphorylation of Ca2⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and reduced phosphorylation of glutamate receptor GluN2A/2B subunits. These results suggest a novel relationship between activity of CaMKII and GluN receptors in the mPFC and DG, and neuronal excitability in these brain regions in the context of moderate to severe AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wulfran Trenet
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | | | | | | | - Candice Contet
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - John J Woodward
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Addiction Sciences Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Chitra D Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA; Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.
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A novel mouse model for vulnerability to alcohol dependence induced by early-life adversity. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100269. [PMID: 33344722 PMCID: PMC7739069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood adversity increases vulnerability to alcohol use disorders and preclinical models are needed to investigate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The present study modeled early-life adversity by rearing male and female C57BL/6J mouse pups in a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) environment, which induces erratic maternal care. As adults, mice were given limited access to two-bottle choice (2BC) alcohol drinking, combined or not with chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor inhalation to induce alcohol dependence. We tested the hypothesis that LBN rearing might exacerbate or facilitate the emergence of the motivational and affective effects of CIE. Consistent with our hypothesis, although LBN-reared males consumed the same baseline levels of alcohol as controls, they escalated their ethanol intake at an earlier stage of CIE exposure, i.e., after 4 rounds vs. 5 rounds for controls. In contrast, females were insensitive to both LBN rearing and CIE exposure. Males were further subjected to a behavioral test battery. Withdrawal from CIE-2BC increased digging activity and lowered mechanical nociceptive thresholds regardless of early-life conditions. On the other hand, LBN-reared CIE-2BC males showed reduced open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze and increased immobility in the tail suspension test compared to alcohol-naïve counterparts, while no group differences were detected among control-reared males. Finally, LBN rearing and alcohol exposure did not affect grooming in response to a sucrose spray (splash test), novel object recognition, or corticosterone levels. In summary, the LBN experience accelerates the transition from moderate to excessive alcohol drinking and produces additional indices of affective dysfunction during alcohol withdrawal in C57BL/6J male mice. Early-life adversity was generated by rearing C57BL/6J mouse pups in a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) environment. Alcohol dependence was induced in adulthood via chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) inhalation. The LBN experience accelerated alcohol intake escalation in males. LBN exacerbated affective disturbances upon CIE withdrawal in males. Alcohol intake in females was insensitive to both LBN and CIE.
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Galaj E, Guo C, Huang D, Ranaldi R, Ma YY. Contrasting effects of adolescent and early-adult ethanol exposure on prelimbic cortical pyramidal neurons. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 216:108309. [PMID: 32998090 PMCID: PMC7814343 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence and early-adulthood are vulnerable developmental periods during which binge drinking can have long-lasting effects on brain function. However, little is known about the effects of binge drinking on the pyramidal cells of the prelimbic cortex (PrL) during early and protracted withdrawal periods. METHODS In the present study, we performed whole-cell patch clamp recordings and dendritic spine staining to examine the intrinsic excitability, spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (sEPSCs), and spine morphology of pyramidal cells in the PrL from rats exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) during adolescence or early-adulthood. RESULTS Compared to chronic intermittent water (CIW)-treated controls, the excitability of PrL-L5 pyramidal neurons was significantly increased 21 days after adolescent CIE but decreased 21 days after early-adult CIE. No changes of excitability in PrL Layer (L) 5 were detected 2 days after either adolescent or early-adulthood CIE. Interestingly, decreases in sEPSC amplitude and increases in thin spines ratio were detected 2 days after adolescent CIE. Furthermore, decreased frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs, accompanied by a decrease in the density of total spines and non-thin spines were observed 21 days after adolescent CIE. In contrast, increased frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs, accompanied by increased densities of total spines and non-thin spines were found 21 days after early adult CIE. CONCLUSION CIE produced prolonged neuronal and synaptic alterations in PrL-L5, and the developmental stage, i.e., adolescence vs. early-adulthood when subjects receive CIE, is a key factor in determining the direction of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Changyong Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Donald Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Robert Ranaldi
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
| | - Yao-Ying Ma
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Salling MC, Harrison NL. Constitutive Genetic Deletion of Hcn1 Increases Alcohol Preference during Adolescence. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10110763. [PMID: 33105624 PMCID: PMC7690419 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN), which underlies the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih), has diverse roles in regulating neuronal excitability across cell types and brain regions. Recently, HCN channels have been implicated in preclinical models of substance abuse including alcohol. In the prefrontal cortex of rodents, HCN expression and Ih magnitude are developmentally regulated during adolescence and may be vulnerable to alcohol’s effects. In mice, binge alcohol consumption during the adolescent period results in a sustained reduction in Ih that coincides with increased alcohol consumption in adulthood, yet the direct role HCN channels have on alcohol consumption are unknown. Here, we show that the genetic deletion of Hcn1 causes an increase in alcohol preference on intermittent 2-bottle choice task in homozygous null (HCN1−/−) male mice compared to wild-type littermates without affecting saccharine or quinine preference. The targeted viral deletion of HCN1 in pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex resulted in a gradual loss of Hcn1 expression and a reduction in Ih magnitude during adolescence, however, this did not significantly affect alcohol consumption or preference. We conclude that while HCN1 regulates alcohol preference, the genetic deletion of Hcn1 in the medial prefrontal cortex does not appear to be the locus for this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Salling
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Neil L. Harrison
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
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Powers KG, Ma XM, Eipper BA, Mains RE. Cell-type specific knockout of peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase reveals specific behavioral roles in excitatory forebrain neurons and cardiomyocytes. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12699. [PMID: 32902163 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides and peptide hormones play a crucial role in integrating the many factors that affect physiologic and cognitive processes. The potency of many of these peptides requires an amidated amino acid at the C-terminus; a single enzyme, peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), catalyzes this modification. Anxiety-like behavior is known to be altered in mice with a single functional Pam allele (Pam+/- ) and in mice unable to express Pam in excitatory forebrain neurons (PamEmx1-cKO/cKO ) or in cardiomyocytes (PamMyh6-cKO/cKO ). Examination of PAM-positive and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD)-positive cells in the amygdala of PamEmx1-cKO/cKO mice demonstrated the absence of PAM in pyramidal neurons and its continued presence in GAD-positive interneurons, suggestive of altered excitatory/inhibitory balance. Additional behavioral tests were used to search for functional alterations in these cell-type specific knockout mice. PamEmx1-cKO/cKO mice exhibited a less focused search pattern for the Barnes Maze escape hole than control or PamMyh6-cKO/cKO mice. While wildtype mice favor interacting with novel objects as opposed to familiar objects, both PamEmx1-cKO/cKO and PamMyh6-cKO/cKO mice exhibited significantly less interest in the novel object. Since PAM levels in the central nervous system of PamMyh6-cKO/cKO mice are unaltered, the behavioral effect observed in these mice may reflect their inability to produce atrial granules and the resulting reduction in serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide. In the sociability test, male mice of all three genotypes spent more time with same-sex stranger mice; while control females showed no preference for stranger mice, female PamEmx1-cKO/cKO mice showed preference for same-sex stranger mice in all trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn G Powers
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Betty A Eipper
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard E Mains
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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Suárez J, Khom S, Alén F, Natividad LA, Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Kirson D, Arco R, Ballesta A, Bajo M, Rubio L, Martin-Fardon R, de Fonseca FR, Roberto M. Cessation of fluoxetine treatment increases alcohol seeking during relapse and dysregulates endocannabinoid and glutamatergic signaling in the central amygdala. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12813. [PMID: 31339221 PMCID: PMC8050940 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), typically used as antidepressants, induces long-lasting behavioral changes associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, the contribution of SSRI (fluoxetine)-induced alterations in neurobiological processes underlying alcohol relapse such as endocannabinoid and glutamate signaling in the central amygdala (CeA) remains largely unknown. We utilized an integrative approach to study the effects of repeated fluoxetine administration during abstinence on ethanol drinking. Gene expression and biochemical and electrophysiological studies explored the hypothesis that dysregulation in glutamatergic and endocannabinoid mechanisms in the CeA underlie the susceptibility to alcohol relapse. Cessation of daily treatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) during abstinence resulted in a marked increase in ethanol seeking during re-exposure periods. The increase in ethanol self-administration was associated with (a) reductions in levels of the endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolomine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the CeA, (b) increased amygdalar gene expression of cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1), N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (Nape-pld), fatty acid amid hydrolase (Faah), (c) decreased amygdalar gene expression of ionotropic AMPA (GluA2 and GluA4) and metabotropic (mGlu3) glutamate receptors, and (d) increased glutamatergic receptor function. Overall, our data suggest that the administration of the antidepressant fluoxetine during abstinence dysregulates endocannabinoid signaling and glutamatergic receptor function in the amygdala, facts that likely facilitate alcohol drinking behavior during relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Suárez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga (IBIMA), Mental Health UGC, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francisco Alén
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga (IBIMA), Mental Health UGC, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis A. Natividad
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Reesha R. Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rocío Arco
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga (IBIMA), Mental Health UGC, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Ballesta
- Department of Psychobiology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leticia Rubio
- Department of Anatomy and Forensic and Legal Medicine. Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga (IBIMA), Mental Health UGC, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, CA, USA
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Joffe ME, Winder DG, Conn PJ. Contrasting sex-dependent adaptations to synaptic physiology and membrane properties of prefrontal cortex interneuron subtypes in a mouse model of binge drinking. Neuropharmacology 2020; 178:108126. [PMID: 32781000 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects all sexes, however women who develop AUD may be particularly susceptible to cravings and other components of the disease. While many brain regions are involved in AUD etiology, proper prefrontal cortex (PFC) function is particularly important for top-down craving management and the moderation of drinking behaviors. Essential regulation of PFC output is provided by local inhibitory interneurons, yet how drinking affects interneuron physiology remains poorly understood, particularly in female individuals. To address this gap, we generated fluorescent reporter transgenic mice to label the two major classes of interneuron in deep layer prelimbic PFC, based on expression of parvalbumin (PV-IN) or somatostatin (SST-IN). We then interrogated PV-IN and SST-IN membrane and synaptic physiology in a rodent model of binge drinking. Beginning in late adolescence, mice received 3-4 weeks of intermittent access (IA) ethanol. We prepared acute brain slices one day after the last drinking session. PV-INs but not SST-INs from IA ethanol mice displayed increased excitability relative to controls, regardless of sex. On the contrary, synaptic adaptations to PV-INs differed based on sex. While drinking decreased excitatory synaptic strength onto PV-INs from female mice, PV-INs from IA ethanol male mice exhibited potentiated excitatory transmission relative to controls. In contrast, decreased synaptic strength onto SST-INs was observed following IA ethanol in all groups of mice. Together, these findings illustrate novel sex differences in drinking-related PFC pathophysiology. Discovering means to restore PV-IN and SST-IN dysfunction following extended drinking provides opportunities for developing new treatments for all AUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Danny G Winder
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Role of Kalirin and mouse strain in retention of spatial memory training in an Alzheimer's disease model mouse line. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 95:69-80. [PMID: 32768866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nontransgenic and 3xTG transgenic mice, which express mutant transgenes encoding human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) along with Alzheimer's disease-associated versions of hTau and a presenilin mutation, acquired the Barnes Maze escape task equivalently at 3-9 months of age. Although nontransgenics retested at 6 and 9 months acquired the escape task more quickly than naïve mice, 3xTG mice did not. Deficits in Kalirin, a multidomain protein scaffold and guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates dendritic spines, has been proposed as a contributor to the cognitive decline observed in Alzheimer's disease. To test whether deficits in Kalirin might amplify deficits in 3xTG mice, mice heterozygous/hemizygous for Kalirin and the 3xTG transgenes were generated. Mouse strain, age and sex affected cortical expression of key proteins. hAPP levels in 3xTG mice increased total APP levels at all ages. Kalirin expression showed strong sex-dependent expression in C57 but not B6129 mice. Decreasing Kalirin levels to half had no effect on Barnes Maze task acquisition or retraining in 3xTG hemizygous mice.
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38
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Fructuoso M, Gu YC, Kassis N, de Lagran MM, Dierssen M, Janel N. Ethanol-Induced Changes in Brain of Transgenic Mice Overexpressing DYRK1A. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3195-3205. [PMID: 32504418 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder defined by loss of control over excessive consumption of ethanol despite damaging effects on the liver and brain. We previously showed that the overexpression in mice of Dyrk1A (TgDyrk1A, for dual-specificity tyrosine (Y) phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A) reduces the severity of alcohol mediated liver injury. Ethanol consumption has also been associated with increased brain glutamate concentration that led to therapies targeting glutamatergic receptors and normalization of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Interestingly, mice overexpressing Dyrk1A (TgDyrk1A mice) present a reduction of glutamatergic brain transmission, which we propose could be protective against alcohol intake. To answer this question, we investigated the ethanol preference in TgDyrk1A mice using a two-bottle choice paradigm. TgDyrk1A mice showed a non-significant decrease of voluntary ethanol intake and ethanol preference compared with wild-type mice. At the peripheral level, mice overexpressing Dyrk1A show lower ethanol plasma levels, indicating a faster ethanol metabolism. At the end of the protocol, lasting 21 days, brains were extracted for protein analysis. Ethanol reduced levels of the synaptic protein PSD-95 and increased the glutamate decarboxylase GAD65, specifically in the cortex of TgDyrk1A mice. Our results suggest that overexpression of DYRK1A may cause different ethanol-induced changes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Fructuoso
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut du Cerveau et la Moelle épinière, ICM, INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Paris, France
| | - Yu Chen Gu
- Université de Paris, BFA, UMR 8251, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Nadim Kassis
- Université de Paris, BFA, UMR 8251, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Maria Martinez de Lagran
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Pompeu Fabra University (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Human Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nathalie Janel
- Université de Paris, BFA, UMR 8251, CNRS, F-75013, Paris, France.
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Galaj E, Barrera E, Morris D, Ma YY, Ranaldi R. Aberrations in Incentive Learning and Responding to Heroin in Male Rats After Adolescent or Adult Chronic Binge-Like Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1214-1223. [PMID: 32311102 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Binge drinking is a serious problem among adolescents and young adults despite its adverse consequences on the brain and behavior. One area that remains poorly understood concerns the impact of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure on incentive learning. METHODS Here, we examined the effects of CIE exposure during different developmental stages on conditioned approach and conditioned reward learning in rats experiencing acute or protracted withdrawal from alcohol. Two or 21 days after adolescent or adult CIE exposure, male rats were exposed to pairings of a light stimulus (CS) and food pellets for 3 consecutive daily sessions (30 CS-food pellet pairings per session). This was followed by conditioned approach testing measuring responses (food trough head entries) to the CS-only presentations and by conditioned reward testing measuring responses on a lever producing the CS and on another producing a tone. We then measured behavioral sensitization to repeated injections of heroin (2 mg/kg/d for 9 days). RESULTS Adolescent and adult alcohol-treated rats showed significantly impaired conditioned reward learning regardless of withdrawal period (acute or prolonged). We found no evidence of changes to conditioned approach learning after adolescent or adult exposure to CIE. Finally, in addition to producing long-term impairments in incentive learning, CIE exposure enhanced locomotor activity in response to heroin and had no effect on behavioral sensitization to heroin regardless of age and withdrawal period. CONCLUSIONS Our work sets a framework for identifying CIE-induced alterations in incentive learning and inducing susceptibility to subsequent opioid effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- From the, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, (EG), National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eddy Barrera
- Department of Psychology, (EB, DM, RR), Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Debra Morris
- Department of Psychology, (EB, DM, RR), Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Yao-Ying Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, (Y-YM), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Robert Ranaldi
- Department of Psychology, (EB, DM, RR), Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
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Kummer KK, Mitrić M, Kalpachidou T, Kress M. The Medial Prefrontal Cortex as a Central Hub for Mental Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3440. [PMID: 32414089 PMCID: PMC7279227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain patients frequently develop and suffer from mental comorbidities such as depressive mood, impaired cognition, and other significant constraints of daily life, which can only insufficiently be overcome by medication. The emotional and cognitive components of pain are processed by the medial prefrontal cortex, which comprises the anterior cingulate cortex, the prelimbic, and the infralimbic cortex. All three subregions are significantly affected by chronic pain: magnetic resonance imaging has revealed gray matter loss in all these areas in chronic pain conditions. While the anterior cingulate cortex appears hyperactive, prelimbic, and infralimbic regions show reduced activity. The medial prefrontal cortex receives ascending, nociceptive input, but also exerts important top-down control of pain sensation: its projections are the main cortical input of the periaqueductal gray, which is part of the descending inhibitory pain control system at the spinal level. A multitude of neurotransmitter systems contributes to the fine-tuning of the local circuitry, of which cholinergic and GABAergic signaling are particularly emerging as relevant components of affective pain processing within the prefrontal cortex. Accordingly, factors such as distraction, positive mood, and anticipation of pain relief such as placebo can ameliorate pain by affecting mPFC function, making this cortical area a promising target region for medical as well as psychosocial interventions for pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (K.K.K.); (M.M.); (T.K.)
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Morel C, Montgomery S, Han MH. Nicotine and alcohol: the role of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in drug reinforcement. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:2180-2200. [PMID: 30251377 PMCID: PMC6431587 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine and alcohol addiction are leading causes of preventable death worldwide and continue to constitute a huge socio-economic burden. Both nicotine and alcohol perturb the brain's mesocorticolimbic system. Dopamine (DA) neurons projecting from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to multiple downstream structures, including the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, are highly involved in the maintenance of healthy brain function. VTA DA neurons play a crucial role in associative learning and reinforcement. Nicotine and alcohol usurp these functions, promoting reinforcement of drug taking behaviors. In this review, we will first describe how nicotine and alcohol individually affect VTA DA neurons by examining how drug exposure alters the heterogeneous VTA microcircuit and network-wide projections. We will also examine how coadministration or previous exposure to nicotine or alcohol may augment the reinforcing effects of the other. Additionally, this review briefly summarizes the role of VTA DA neurons in nicotine, alcohol, and their synergistic effects in reinforcement and also addresses the remaining questions related to the circuit-function specificity of the dopaminergic system in mediating nicotine/alcohol reinforcement and comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Morel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Montgomery
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Effects of Ethanol Exposure and Withdrawal on Neuronal Morphology in the Agranular Insular and Prelimbic Cortices: Relationship with Withdrawal-Related Structural Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9080180. [PMID: 31357611 PMCID: PMC6721441 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9080180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure and withdrawal on dendritic morphology and spine density in the agranular insular and prelimbic cortices. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were passively exposed to vaporized ethanol (~37 mg/L; 12 h/day) or air (control) for ten consecutive days. Dendritic length, branching, and spine density were quantified in layer II/III pyramidal neurons 24 hours or seven days following the final ethanol exposure. Compared to unexposed control animals there were structural alterations on neurons in the prelimbic cortex, and to a lesser extent the agranular insular cortex. The most prominent ethanol-related differences were the transient increases in dendritic length and branching in prelimbic neurons at 24 h post-cessation, and increased mushroom-shaped spines at seven days post-cessation. The results obtained in the prelimbic cortex are the opposite of those previously reported in the nucleus accumbens core (Peterson, et al. 2015), suggesting that these regions undergo distinct functional adaptations following ethanol exposure and withdrawal.
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Molecular, Morphological, and Functional Characterization of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1-Expressing Neurons in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0087-19.2019. [PMID: 31167849 PMCID: PMC6584068 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0087-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a brain region implicated in anxiety, stress-related disorders and the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, Crh) acting at cognate type 1 receptors (CRF1, Crhr1) modulates inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in the CeA. Here, we used CRF1:GFP reporter mice to characterize the morphological, neurochemical and electrophysiological properties of CRF1-expressing (CRF1+) and CRF1-non-expressing (CRF1-) neurons in the CeA. We assessed these two neuronal populations for distinctions in the expression of GABAergic subpopulation markers and neuropeptides, dendritic spine density and morphology, and excitatory transmission. We observed that CeA CRF1+ neurons are GABAergic but do not segregate with calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), parvalbumin (PV), or protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ). Among the neuropeptides analyzed, Penk and Sst had the highest percentage of co-expression with Crhr1 in both the medial and lateral CeA subdivisions. Additionally, CeA CRF1+ neurons had a lower density of dendritic spines, which was offset by a higher proportion of mature spines compared to neighboring CRF1- neurons. Accordingly, there was no difference in basal spontaneous glutamatergic transmission between the two populations. Application of CRF increased overall vesicular glutamate release onto both CRF1+ and CRF1- neurons and does not affect amplitude or kinetics of EPSCs in either population. These novel data highlight important differences in the neurochemical make-up and morphology of CRF1+ compared to CRF1- neurons, which may have important implications for the transduction of CRF signaling in the CeA.
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Crowley NA, Magee SN, Feng M, Jefferson SJ, Morris CJ, Dao NC, Brockway DF, Luscher B. Ketamine normalizes binge drinking-induced defects in glutamatergic synaptic transmission and ethanol drinking behavior in female but not male mice. Neuropharmacology 2019; 149:35-44. [PMID: 30731135 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ketamine is a fast acting experimental antidepressant with significant therapeutic potential for emotional disorders such as major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorders. Of particular interest is binge alcohol use, which during intermittent withdrawal from drinking involves depressive-like symptoms reminiscent of major depressive disorder. Binge drinking has been successfully modeled in mice with the Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm, which involves daily access to 20% ethanol, for a limited duration and selectively during the dark phase of the circadian light cycle. Here we demonstrate that DID exposure reduces the cell surface expression of NMDA- and AMPA-type glutamate receptors in the prelimbic cortex (PLC) of female but not male mice, along with reduced activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Pretreatment with an acute subanesthetic dose of ketamine suppresses binge-like ethanol consumption in female but not male mice. Lastly, DID-exposure reduces spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the PLC of both sexes, but synaptic transmission is rescued by ketamine selectively in female mice. Thus, ketamine may have therapeutic potential as an ethanol binge suppressing agent selectively in female subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Crowley
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sarah N Magee
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Mengyang Feng
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sarah J Jefferson
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Christian J Morris
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Nigel C Dao
- Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Dakota F Brockway
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Bernhard Luscher
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA; Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders (CMIND), The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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Gerace E, Landucci E, Bani D, Moroni F, Mannaioni G, Pellegrini-Giampietro DE. Glutamate Receptor-Mediated Neurotoxicity in a Model of Ethanol Dependence and Withdrawal in Rat Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures. Front Neurosci 2019; 12:1053. [PMID: 30733663 PMCID: PMC6353783 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.01053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term alcohol use can lead to alterations in brain structure and functions and, in some cases, to neurodegeneration. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain ethanol (EtOH)-related brain injury. One of the most relevant mechanisms of alcohol-induced neurodegeneration involves glutamatergic transmission, but their exact role is not yet fully understood. We investigated the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the toxicity induced by EtOH dependence and/or withdrawal by exposing rat organotypic hippocampal slices to EtOH (100–300 mM) for 7 days and then incubating the slices in EtOH-free medium for the subsequent 24 h. EtOH withdrawal led to a dose-dependent CA1 pyramidal cell injury, as detected with propidium iodide fluorescence. Electron microscopy of hippocampal slices revealed that not only EtOH withdrawal but also 7 days chronic EtOH exposure elicited signs of apoptotic cell death in CA1 pyramidal cells. These data were supported by electrophysiological recordings of spontaneus Excitatory Post Synaptic Currents (sEPSCs) from CA1 pyramidal cells. The average amplitude of sEPSCs in slices treated with EtOH for 7 days was significantly increased, and even more so during the first 30 min of EtOH withdrawal, suggesting that the initial phase of the neurodegenerative process could be due to an excitotoxic mechanism. We then analyzed the expression levels of presynaptic (vGlut1, vGlut2, CB1 receptor, synaptophysin) and postsynaptic (PSD95, GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B, GluA1, GluA2, mGluR1 and mGluR5) proteins after 7 days EtOH incubation or after EtOH withdrawal. We found that only GluA1 and mGluR5 expression levels were significantly increased after EtOH withdrawal and, in neuroprotection experiments, we observed that AMPA and mGluR5 antagonists attenuated EtOH withdrawal-induced toxicity. These data suggest that chronic EtOH treatment promotes abnormal synaptic transmission that may lead to CA1 pyramidal cell death after EtOH withdrawal through glutamate receptors and increased excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Gerace
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisa Landucci
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Research Unit of Histology and Embryology, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Flavio Moroni
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Mannaioni
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NeuroFarBa), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Piantadosi PT, Lieberman AG, Pickens CL, Bergstrom HC, Holmes A. A novel multichoice touchscreen paradigm for assessing cognitive flexibility in mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 26:24-30. [PMID: 30559117 PMCID: PMC6298539 DOI: 10.1101/lm.048264.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive flexibility refers to various processes which enable behaviors to be modified on the basis of a change in the contingencies between stimuli or responses and their associated outcomes. Reversal learning is a form of cognitive flexibility which measures the ability to adjust responding based on a switch in the stimulus–outcome contingencies of, typically two, perceptually distinct stimuli. Reversal tasks have provided valuable insight into the neural basis of cognitive flexibility, implicating brain regions including the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). However, with two-stimulus reversal, it is difficult to determine whether response errors are due excessive perseveration, deficient learning, or other problems with updating. To address this limitation, we developed a mouse three-choice touchscreen-based visual reversal task, in which the contingencies of two stimuli were switched on reversal but a third, simultaneously presented, stimulus was never reinforced. We found that, in male C57BL/6J mice, responding at the previously rewarded stimulus predominated over the newly and never-reinforced stimuli during early reversal. Next, we showed that acute pharmacological inhibition of lOFC, but not dmPFC, impaired early reversal performance, relative to noninactivated controls. Interestingly, however, lOFC inactivation deficits were characterized by increased choice of the never-reinforced stimulus and a decrease in (perseverative-like) responding at the previously rewarded stimulus. These effects are inconsistent with the historical notion of lOFC mediating response inhibition and closer to recent views of the lOFC's role in response/outcome tracking. Overall, these findings provide initial support the utility of this novel paradigm for studying cognitive flexibility and its underlying neural substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T Piantadosi
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Abby G Lieberman
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Charles L Pickens
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Hadley C Bergstrom
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20852, USA
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