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Nall RW, Chalhoub RM, Kalivas PW. Drug versus non-drug behaviors: A dual-reward model of sex differences and neurobiological mechanisms in rats. J Exp Anal Behav 2022; 117:457-471. [PMID: 35297047 PMCID: PMC10775707 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.752] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are an impactful problem characterized by chronic relapse and engagement in drug-related behaviors at the expense of non-drug behaviors. Brain regions implicated in drug and non-drug-related behaviors often overlap, complicating investigations of neurobiological mechanisms underlying SUDs. Here we presented a within-subject model for studying self-administration, reinforcer competition, extinction, and cued reinstatement of cocaine- and food-seeking in rats. Due to differences in cocaine- and food-reinforced behavior, we transformed data to proportions of baseline, revealing increased resistance to extinction and disproportionately greater cued reinstatement of cocaine seeking relative to food seeking. Consistent with previous reports, females showed greater preference for cocaine reinforcement than males, though these findings failed to reach statistical significance. To demonstrate the model's utility for investigating neurobiological mechanisms, we included proof-of-concept calcium imaging data demonstrating the utility of the behavioral model for detecting cellular activity patterns associated with cocaine- and food-seeking behaviors. Future studies utilizing this model should improve understanding of the development and expression of pathological behaviors characteristic of SUDs in humans, sex differences in these behaviors, and their neurobiological correlates. Thus, the model has utility for improving understanding of SUDs, leading to novel treatments to reduce the pathological behaviors associated with SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusty W. Nall
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Jacksonville State University
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2
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Nicolas C, Hofford RS, Dugast E, Lardeux V, Belujon P, Solinas M, Bardo MT, Thiriet N. Prevention of relapse to methamphetamine self-administration by environmental enrichment: involvement of glucocorticoid receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1009-1018. [PMID: 33768375 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05770-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE In rodents, environmental enrichment (EE) produces both preventive and curative effects on drug addiction, and this effect is believed to depend at least in part on EE's actions on the stress system. OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether exposure to EE during abstinence reduces methamphetamine seeking after extended self-administration. In addition, we investigated whether these effects are associated with alterations in the levels of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the brain and whether administration of GR antagonists blocks methamphetamine relapse. METHODS We allowed rats to self-administer methamphetamine for twenty 14-h sessions. After 3 weeks of abstinence either in standard (SE) or EE conditions, we measured methamphetamine seeking in a single 3-h session. Then, we used western blot techniques to measure GR levels in several brain areas. Finally, in an independent group of rats, after methamphetamine self-administration and abstinence in SE, we administered the GR antagonist mifepristone, and we investigated methamphetamine seeking. RESULTS Exposure to EE reduced methamphetamine seeking and reversed methamphetamine-induced increases in GR levels in the ventral and dorsal hippocampus. In addition, EE decreased GR levels in the amygdala in drug-naive animals, but this effect was prevented by previous exposure to methamphetamine. Administration of mifepristone significantly decreased methamphetamine seeking. CONCLUSIONS The anti-craving effects of EE are paralleled by restoration of methamphetamine-induced dysregulation of GR in the hippocampus. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the effect of EE on methamphetamine relapse is at least in part mediated by EE's action on the brain stress system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Nicolas
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Rebecca S Hofford
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Emilie Dugast
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France.,CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Virginie Lardeux
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Pauline Belujon
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Marcello Solinas
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Nathalie Thiriet
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM, U-1084, Laboratoire des Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France.
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Salamone J, Ecevitoglu A, Carratala-Ros C, Presby R, Edelstein G, Fleeher R, Rotolo R, Meka N, Srinath S, Masthay JC, Correa M. Complexities and Paradoxes in Understanding the Role of Dopamine in Incentive Motivation and Instrumental Action: Exertion of Effort vs. Anhedonia. Brain Res Bull 2022; 182:57-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Nieto SJ, Grodin EN, Aguirre CG, Izquierdo A, Ray LA. Translational opportunities in animal and human models to study alcohol use disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:496. [PMID: 34588417 PMCID: PMC8481537 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01615-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal and human laboratory paradigms offer invaluable approaches to study the complex etiologies and mechanisms of alcohol use disorder (AUD). We contend that human laboratory models provide a "bridge" between preclinical and clinical studies of AUD by allowing for well-controlled experimental manipulations in humans with AUD. As such, examining the consilience between experimental models in animals and humans in the laboratory provides unique opportunities to refine the translational utility of such models. The overall goal of the present review is to provide a systematic description and contrast of commonly used animal paradigms for the study of AUD, as well as their human laboratory analogs if applicable. While there is a wide breadth of animal species in AUD research, the paradigms discussed in this review rely predominately on rodent research. The overarching goal of this effort is to provide critical analysis of these animal models and to link them to human laboratory models of AUD. By systematically contrasting preclinical and controlled human laboratory models, we seek to identify opportunities to enhance their translational value through forward and reverse translation. We provide future directions to reconcile differences between animal and human work and to improve translational research for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Nieto
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Erica N. Grodin
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Claudia G. Aguirre
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Alicia Izquierdo
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Lara A. Ray
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
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5
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Thornton JL, Everett NA, Webb P, Turner AJ, Cornish JL, Baracz SJ. Adolescent oxytocin administration reduces depression-like behaviour induced by early life stress in adult male and female rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110279. [PMID: 33567331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) exposure alters brain development, increasing vulnerability for mental illness in adulthood, including depression. Despite this association, there are no approved pharmacotherapies to protect against the emergence of mental illness resulting from ELS. Recent preclinical work showed that oxytocin (OT) administration in adulthood reduced depressive-like behaviour in male rats with a history of ELS. However, the ability of an OT treatment regime in adolescence, a critical developmental window for the OT system, to prevent the expression of depressive-like behaviours following ELS has not been investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether chronic OT administration can ameliorate the enduring effects of ELS on depressive-like behaviours in both male and female rats. Following birth, Long Evans rat pups (N = 107) underwent maternal separation (MS) for either 15 min (MS15) or 6 h (MS360) on postnatal days (PND) 1-21. During adolescence (PND 28-42), rats received a daily injection of either OT (1 mg/kg) or saline. During adulthood (PND 57 onwards), effort-related motivation was measured using a model of effortful choice (EC), while behavioural despair was measured using the forced swim test (FST). Lastly, body and organ weights were measured to examine the physiological impacts of ELS and chronic OT administration. Overall, in both sexes, MS360 increased behavioural despair yet had no impact on effort-related motivation. Importantly, adolescent OT administration prevented the MS360-induced increase in behavioural despair in both males and females. Additionally, MS360 resulted in persistent reductions in body weight in both sexes post-weaning and increased spleen weight in males and adrenal weight in females. OT treatment had no impact on body weight in either sex, but prevented the MS-induced increase in adrenal gland weight in females. Overall, these findings have important implications for using oxytocin as a preventative pharmacotherapy after ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade L Thornton
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Everett
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Paige Webb
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Anita J Turner
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Cornish
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Sarah J Baracz
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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6
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Nall RW, Heinsbroek JA, Nentwig TB, Kalivas PW, Bobadilla AC. Circuit selectivity in drug versus natural reward seeking behaviors. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1450-1472. [PMID: 33420731 PMCID: PMC8178159 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is characterized, in part by behavior biased toward drug use and away from natural sources of reward (e.g., social interaction, food, sex). The neurobiological underpinnings of SUDs reveal distinct brain regions where neuronal activity is necessary for the manifestation of SUD-characteristic behaviors. Studies that specifically examine how these regions are involved in behaviors motivated by drug versus natural reward allow determinations of which regions are necessary for regulating seeking of both reward types, and appraisals of novel SUD therapies for off-target effects on behaviors motivated by natural reward. Here, we evaluate studies directly comparing regulatory roles for specific brain regions in drug versus natural reward. While it is clear that many regions drive behaviors motivated by all reward types, based on the literature reviewed we propose a set of interconnected regions that become necessary for behaviors motivated by drug, but not natural rewards. The circuitry is selectively necessary for drug seeking includes an Action/Reward subcircuit, comprising nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, and ventral tegmental area, a Prefrontal subcircuit comprising prelimbic, infralimbic, and insular cortices, a Stress subcircuit comprising the central nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and a Diencephalon circuit including lateral hypothalamus. Evidence was mixed for nucleus accumbens shell, insular cortex, and ventral pallidum. Studies for all other brain nuclei reviewed supported a necessary role in regulating both drug and natural reward seeking. Finally, we discuss emerging strategies to further disambiguate the necessity of brain regions in drug- versus natural reward-associated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusty W. Nall
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jasper A. Heinsbroek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Todd B. Nentwig
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W. Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- These authors share senior authorship
| | - Ana-Clara Bobadilla
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
- These authors share senior authorship
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7
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Leenaars CH, Van der Mierden S, Joosten RN, Van der Weide MA, Schirris M, Dematteis M, Meijboom FL, Feenstra MG, Bleich A. Risk-Based Decision Making: A Systematic Scoping Review of Animal Models and a Pilot Study on the Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Rats. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:31-52. [PMID: 33498259 PMCID: PMC7838799 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals, including humans, frequently make decisions involving risk or uncertainty. Different strategies in these decisions can be advantageous depending the circumstances. Short sleep duration seems to be associated with more risky decisions in humans. Animal models for risk-based decision making can increase mechanistic understanding, but very little data is available concerning the effects of sleep. We combined primary- and meta-research to explore the relationship between sleep and risk-based decision making in animals. Our first objective was to create an overview of the available animal models for risky decision making. We performed a systematic scoping review. Our searches in Pubmed and Psychinfo retrieved 712 references, of which 235 were included. Animal models for risk-based decision making have been described for rodents, non-human primates, birds, pigs and honey-bees. We discuss task designs and model validity. Our second objective was to apply this knowledge and perform a pilot study on the effect of sleep deprivation. We trained and tested male Wistar rats on a probability discounting task; a “safe” lever always resulted in 1 reward, a “risky” lever resulted in 4 or no rewards. Rats adapted their preferences to variations in reward probabilities (p < 0.001), but 12 h of sleep deprivation during the light phase did not clearly alter risk preference (p = 0.21).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathalijn H.C. Leenaars
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.V.d.M.); (A.B.)
- Department for Health Evidence (Section HTA), SYRCLE, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6600 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Unit Animals in Science and Society, Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, 3500 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-1368
| | - Stevie Van der Mierden
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.V.d.M.); (A.B.)
- Department for Health Evidence (Section HTA), SYRCLE, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6600 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud N.J.M.A. Joosten
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1000 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.N.J.M.A.J.); (M.A.V.d.W.); (M.S.); (M.G.P.F.)
| | - Marnix A. Van der Weide
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1000 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.N.J.M.A.J.); (M.A.V.d.W.); (M.S.); (M.G.P.F.)
| | - Mischa Schirris
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1000 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.N.J.M.A.J.); (M.A.V.d.W.); (M.S.); (M.G.P.F.)
| | - Maurice Dematteis
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Grenobles Alpes University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, France;
| | - Franck L.B. Meijboom
- Unit Animals in Science and Society, Population Health Sciences, Utrecht University, 3500 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Matthijs G.P. Feenstra
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1000 Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.N.J.M.A.J.); (M.A.V.d.W.); (M.S.); (M.G.P.F.)
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (S.V.d.M.); (A.B.)
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Hashemnia S, Euston DR, Gruber AJ. Amphetamine reduces reward encoding and stabilizes neural dynamics in rat anterior cingulate cortex. eLife 2020; 9:56755. [PMID: 32812864 PMCID: PMC7455243 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulants such as d-amphetamine (AMPH) often have behavioral effects that appear paradoxical within the framework of optimal choice theory. AMPH typically increases task engagement and the effort animals exert for reward, despite decreasing reward valuation. We investigated neural correlates of this phenomenon in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain structure implicated in signaling cost-benefit utility. AMPH decreased signaling of reward, but not effort, in the ACC of freely-moving rats. Ensembles of simultaneously recorded neurons generated task-specific trajectories of neural activity encoding past, present, and future events. Low-dose AMPH contracted these trajectories and reduced their variance, whereas high-dose AMPH expanded both. We propose that under low-dose AMPH, increased network stability balances moderately increased excitability, which promotes accelerated unfolding of a neural 'script' for task execution, despite reduced reward valuation. Noise from excessive excitability at high doses overcomes stability enhancement to drive frequent deviation from the script, impairing task execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Hashemnia
- Canadian Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - David R Euston
- Canadian Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
| | - Aaron J Gruber
- Canadian Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
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9
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Chemogenetic Modulation and Single-Photon Calcium Imaging in Anterior Cingulate Cortex Reveal a Mechanism for Effort-Based Decisions. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5628-5643. [PMID: 32527984 PMCID: PMC7363467 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2548-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ACC is implicated in effort exertion and choices based on effort cost, but it is still unclear how it mediates this cost-benefit evaluation. Here, male rats were trained to exert effort for a high-value reward (sucrose pellets) in a progressive ratio lever-pressing task. Trained rats were then tested in two conditions: a no-choice condition where lever-pressing for sucrose was the only available food option, and a choice condition where a low-value reward (lab chow) was freely available as an alternative to pressing for sucrose. Disruption of ACC, via either chemogenetic inhibition or excitation, reduced lever-pressing in the choice, but not in the no-choice, condition. We next looked for value coding cells in ACC during effortful behavior and reward consumption phases during choice and no-choice conditions. For this, we used in vivo miniaturized fluorescence microscopy to reliably track responses of the same cells and compare how ACC neurons respond during the same effortful behavior where there was a choice versus when there was no-choice. We found that lever-press and sucrose-evoked responses were significantly weaker during choice compared with no-choice sessions, which may have rendered them more susceptible to chemogenetic disruption. Together, findings from our interference experiments and neural recordings suggest that a mechanism by which ACC mediates effortful decisions is in the discrimination of the utility of available options. ACC regulates these choices by providing a stable population code for the relative value of different options. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ACC is implicated in effort-based decision-making. Here, we used chemogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging to explore its mechanism. Rats were trained to lever press for a high-value reward and tested in two conditions: a no-choice condition where lever-pressing for the high-value reward was the only option, and a choice condition where a low-value reward was also available. Inhibition or excitation of ACC reduced effort toward the high-value option, but only in the choice condition. Neural responses in ACC were weaker in the choice compared with the no-choice condition. A mechanism by which ACC regulates effortful decisions is in providing a stable population code for the discrimination of the utility of available options.
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Mei DS, Cai YJ, Wang FM, Ma BM, Liu HF, Zhou WH, Xu JP. Reciprocal Substitution Between Methamphetamine and Heroin in Terms of Reinforcement Effects in Rats. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:750. [PMID: 32848928 PMCID: PMC7411143 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heroin and methamphetamine are both popular illicit drugs in China. Previous clinical data showed that habitual users of either heroin or methamphetamine abuse the other drug for substitution in case of unavailability of their preferred drug. The present study aimed to observe whether heroin can substitute the methamphetamine reinforcement effect in rats, and vice versa. Rats were trained to self-administer heroin or methamphetamine (both 50 μg/kg/infusion) under an FR1 reinforcing schedule for 10 days. After having extracted the dose-effect curve of the two drugs, we administered methamphetamine at different doses (12.5-200 μg/kg/infusion) to replace heroin during the period of self-administration, and vice versa. The heroin dose-effect curve showed an inverted U-shaped trend, and the total intake dose of heroin significantly increased when the training dose increased from 50 to 100 or 200 μg/kg/infusion. Following replacement with methamphetamine, the total dose-effect curve shifted leftwards and upwards. By contrast, although the dose-effect curve of methamphetamine also showed an inverted U-shaped trend, the total dose of methamphetamine significantly decreased when the training dose decreased from 50 to 25 μg/kg/infusion; conversely, when the methamphetamine training dose increased, the total dose did not change significantly. The total dose-effect curve shifted rightwards after heroin was substituted with methamphetamine. Although heroin and methamphetamine had their own independent reward effects, low doses of methamphetamine can replace the heroin reward effect, while high doses of heroin can replace the methamphetamine reward effect. These results demonstrated that heroin and methamphetamine can substitute each other in terms of reinforcement effects in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di-Sen Mei
- Neuropharmacology and Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Yu-Jia Cai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Fang-Min Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Bao-Miao Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Hui-Fen Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Addiction Research and Treatment Center, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Addiction, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China.,Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Ningbo Addiction Research and Treatment Center, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiang-Ping Xu
- Neuropharmacology and Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Pharmacological studies of effort-related decision making using mouse touchscreen procedures: effects of dopamine antagonism do not resemble reinforcer devaluation by removal of food restriction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:33-43. [PMID: 31392358 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05343-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Effort-based decision-making tasks offer animals choices between preferred reinforcers that require high effort to obtain vs. low effort/low reward options. The neural mechanisms of effort-based choice are widely studied in rats, and evidence indicates that mesolimbic dopamine (DA) and related neural systems play a key role. Fewer studies of effort-based choice have been performed in mice. OBJECTIVES The present studies used touchscreen operant procedures (Bussey-Saksida boxes) to assess effort-based choice in mice. METHODS CD1 mice were assessed on a concurrent fixed ratio 1 panel pressing/choice procedure. Mice were allowed to choose between rearing to press an elevated panel on the touchscreen for a preferred food (strawberry milkshake) vs. consuming a concurrently available less preferred alternative (high carbohydrate pellets). RESULTS The DA D2 antagonist haloperidol (0.05-0.15 mg/kg IP) produced a dose-related decrease in panel pressing. Intake of food pellets was not reduced by haloperidol, and in fact, there was a significant quadratic trend, indicating a tendency for pellet intake to increase at low/moderate doses. In contrast, reinforcer devaluation by removing food restriction substantially decreased both panel pressing and pellet intake. In free-feeding choice tests, mice strongly preferred milkshake vs. pellets. Haloperidol did not affect food intake or preference. CONCLUSION Haloperidol reduced the tendency to work for food, but this reduction was not due to decreases in primary food motivation or preference. Mouse touchscreen procedures demonstrate effects of haloperidol that are similar but not identical to those shown in rats. These rodent studies may be relevant for understanding motivational dysfunctions in humans.
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12
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Rotolo RA, Dragacevic V, Kalaba P, Urban E, Zehl M, Roller A, Wackerlig J, Langer T, Pistis M, De Luca MA, Caria F, Schwartz R, Presby RE, Yang JH, Samels S, Correa M, Lubec G, Salamone JD. The Novel Atypical Dopamine Uptake Inhibitor (S)-CE-123 Partially Reverses the Effort-Related Effects of the Dopamine Depleting Agent Tetrabenazine and Increases Progressive Ratio Responding. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:682. [PMID: 31316379 PMCID: PMC6611521 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal studies of effort-based choice behavior are being used to model effort-related motivational dysfunctions in humans. With these procedures, animals are offered a choice between high-effort instrumental actions leading to highly valued reinforcers vs. low effort/low reward options. Several previous studies have shown that dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitors, including GBR12909, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, and PRX-14040, can reverse the effort-related effects of the vesicular monoamine transport blocker tetrabenazine, which inhibits DA storage. Because many drugs that block DA transport act as major stimulants that also release DA, and produce a number of undesirable side effects, there is a need to develop and characterize novel atypical DA transport inhibitors. (S)-CE-123 ((S)-5-((benzhydrylsulfinyl) methyl)thiazole) is a recently developed analog of modafinil with the biochemical characteristics of an atypical DA transport blocker. The present paper describes the enantioselective synthesis and initial chemical characterization of (S)-CE-123, as well as behavioral experiments involving effort-based choice and microdialysis studies of extracellular DA. Rats were assessed using the fixed ratio 5/chow feeding choice test. Tetrabenazine (1.0 mg/kg) shifted choice behavior, decreasing lever pressing and increasing chow intake. (S)-CE-123 was coadministered at doses ranging from 6.0 to 24.0 mg/kg, and the highest dose partially but significantly reversed the effects of tetrabenazine, although this dose had no effect on fixed ratio responding when administered alone. Additional experiments showed that (S)-CE-123 significantly increased lever pressing on a progressive ratio/chow feeding choice task and that the effective dose (24.0 mg/kg) increased extracellular DA in nucleus accumbens core. In summary, (S)-CE-123 has the behavioral and neurochemical profile of a compound that can block DA transport, reverse the effort-related effects of tetrabenazine, and increase selection of high-effort progressive ratio responding. This suggests that (S)-CE-123 or a similar compound could be useful as a treatment for effort-related motivational dysfunction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee A Rotolo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Vladimir Dragacevic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Urban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Zehl
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Roller
- X-ray Structure Analysis Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Wackerlig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rebecca Schwartz
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Rose E Presby
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Jen-Hau Yang
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Shanna Samels
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Merce Correa
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.,Àrea de Psicobiologia, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Neuroproteomics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - John D Salamone
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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13
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Hart EE, Izquierdo A. Quantity versus quality: Convergent findings in effort-based choice tasks. Behav Processes 2019; 164:178-185. [PMID: 31082477 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Organisms must frequently make cost-benefit decisions based on time, risk, and effort in choosing rewards to pursue. Various tasks have been developed to assess effort-based choice in rats, and experimenters have found largely similar results across tasks and brain regions. In this review, we focus primarily on the convergence of different effort-based choice tasks where quality or quantity of reward are manipulated. In the former, the rat is typically presented with the option to work for a preferred reward or select a less preferred, but freely-available reward. In such paradigms, the rewards are of different identities but are confirmed to differ qualitatively in value by a food preference task when both are freely-available. In the latter task type, rats are required to select between higher magnitude versus lower magnitudes of the same reward, but each with a similar effort requirement. We discuss the strengths/limitations of these paradigms, and describe brain regions that have been probed that result in converging or equivocal findings. Results are also reviewed with reference to a need for future work, and the broader impacts and implications of studies probing the mechanisms of effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan E Hart
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Alicia Izquierdo
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California at Los Angeles, CA, USA; Integrative Center for Addictions, University of California at Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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14
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Hay GL, Baracz SJ, Everett NA, Roberts J, Costa PA, Arnold JC, McGregor IS, Cornish JL. Cannabidiol treatment reduces the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and methamphetamine-primed relapse in rats. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:1369-1378. [PMID: 30260267 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118799954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that can cause many adverse physical, psychological and psychosocial effects. Preliminary evidence shows cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating constituent of the cannabis plant, may have efficacy in treating opioid and nicotine dependence. However, no study has yet examined whether cannabidiol treatment might impact on methamphetamine addiction. AIMS The current study investigated whether cannabidiol administration reduces the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behavior following abstinence. METHODS Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats with implanted jugular vein catheters were initially trained to self-administer methamphetamine via lever press during two-hour sessions on a fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement. Rats in experiment 1 ( n=16) then advanced to a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule to examine the effects of cannabidiol (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg intraperitoneal) on motivation to self-administer methamphetamine. Rats in experiment 2 ( n=16) were tested for cannabidiol effects on methamphetamine-primed reinstatement following extinction. RESULTS Cannabidiol (80 mg/kg, but not 40 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg) reduced the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and attenuated methamphetamine-primed relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behavior after extinction. CONCLUSION This is the first demonstration that cannabidiol can reduce the motivation to seek and consume methamphetamine, and suggests that cannabidiol might be worth trialing as a novel pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracie L Hay
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah J Baracz
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,2 School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Everett
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Roberts
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Priscila A Costa
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathon C Arnold
- 3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,4 Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Iain S McGregor
- 2 School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,4 Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Cornish
- 1 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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