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Mancusi G, Miuli A, Santorelli M, Cavallotto C, Susini O, Pernaci G, Výborová E, Rosa I, d'Onofrio AM, Camardese G, Pettorruso M, Sensi SL, Martinotti G. Exploring peripheral biomarkers in psychostimulant use: A systematic review on neurotrophins, stress-related hormones, oxidative stress molecules and genetic factors. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:115046. [PMID: 38761859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115046] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aims to comprehensively explore the impact of psychostimulant substances on neurotrophic and inflammatory pathways, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), pro-BDNF, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), interleukins, and the role of genetic factors. The study seeks to address existing gaps in the literature by providing a thorough evaluation of neurotrophic and inflammatory system alterations associated with different stages of psychostimulant dependence for a more nuanced understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) neurobiology. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases following the PRISMA guidelines. The research encompasses 50 studies with a participant pool totaling 6792 individuals using psychostimulant substances. RESULTS Key findings include diverse impacts of cocaine on BDNF levels, mainly consisting of their significant increase during withdrawal. In contrast, NGF showed an opposite behavior, reducing during withdrawal. Cortisol and DHEAS levels exhibited relevant increases after psychostimulant use, while TBARS showed conflicting results. Genetic investigations predominantly focused on the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene, revealing associations with susceptibility to stimulant addiction. CONCLUSIONS Neurotrophins and inflammatory molecules play a significant role in the pathophysiological mechanisms following psychostimulant use. A better understanding of their complex interplay could aid clinicians in identifying biomarkers of different disease stages. Moreover, clinical interventions designed to interfere with neurotrophic and inflammatory pathways could possibly lead to craving-modulatory strategies and reduce pathological neuronal and systemic consequences of psychostimulant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Mancusi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Miuli
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; Department of Mental Health, ASL 2 Abruzzo Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Mario Santorelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Clara Cavallotto
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ottavia Susini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulia Pernaci
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Eliška Výborová
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilenia Rosa
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Maria d'Onofrio
- Institute of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Camardese
- Institute of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; Department of Mental Health, ASL 2 Abruzzo Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, and Institute for Advanced Biotechnology (ITAB), University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66013, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy; Department of Mental Health, ASL 2 Abruzzo Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Chieti, Italy; Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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Bilaus B, Turchinski NR, Ahdoot HL, Gavish RE, Shany O, Maayan R, Rosca P, Weizman A, Delayahu Y, Yadid G, Admon R. The Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone Administration during Rehabilitation on White Matter Integrity Among Individuals With Polysubstance Use Disorder. J Addict Med 2023; 17:551-556. [PMID: 37788608 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001176] [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: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Individuals with polysubstance use disorder (pSUD) exhibit vulnerability to relapse even after prolonged abstinence, with rehabilitation efforts achieving limited success. Previous studies highlighted dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a putative therapeutic agent that may aid rehabilitation, potentially by impacting white matter (WM) properties. The current study tested, for the first time, the effect of DHEA administration during rehabilitation on WM integrity among pSUD individuals, while assessing its putative association with long-term relapse rates. METHODS Immediately after admission to rehabilitation, 30 pSUD individuals were assigned to receive either placebo or DHEA (100 mg) daily for 3 months, via a randomized double-blind counterbalanced design. Participants also provided blood samples to assess circulating DHEA levels at treatment initiation and completed a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scan approximately 1 month after treatment initiation. Clinical status was evaluated 16 months after treatment initiation. Thirty matched healthy controls also underwent a DTI scan without any intervention. RESULTS DHEA administration was not associated with reduced relapse rates compared with placebo. Nevertheless, exploratory analysis revealed that DHEA was associated with successful rehabilitation among pSUD individuals with low circulating DHEA levels at treatment initiation. White matter integrity in the splenium corpus callosum (CC) was reduced in pSUD individuals compared with healthy controls, yet pSUD individuals receiving DHEA exhibited recovery of splenium CC WM integrity. CONCLUSIONS DHEA administration during rehabilitation may restore WM integrity in the CC among pSUD individuals. Although DHEA was not associated with reduced relapse rates in here, its therapeutic efficacy may depend on circulating DHEA levels at treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Bilaus
- From the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (BB, RA); Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (NRT); Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel (HLA, REG, GY); School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (OS); Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel (OS); The Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel (RM, AW); Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (RM, AW, YD); Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel (PR); Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel (PR); Research Unit, Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva, Israel (AW); The Dual Diagnosis Ward, Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam, Israel (YD); The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (RA)
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3
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Lax E, Warhaftig G, Ohana D, Maayan R, Delayahu Y, Roska P, Ponizovsky AM, Weizman A, Yadid G, Szyf M. A DNA Methylation Signature of Addiction in T Cells and Its Reversal With DHEA Intervention. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:322. [PMID: 30250424 PMCID: PMC6139343 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in animal models of cocaine craving have delineated broad changes in DNA methylation profiles in the nucleus accumbens. A crucial factor for progress in behavioral and mental health epigenetics is the discovery of epigenetic markers in peripheral tissues. Several studies in primates and humans have associated differences in behavioral phenotypes with changes in DNA methylation in T cells and brain. Herein, we present a pilot study (n = 27) showing that the T cell DNA methylation profile differentiates persons with a substance use disorder from controls. Intervention with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), previously shown to have a long-term therapeutic effect on human addicts herein resulted in reversal of DNA methylation changes in genes related to pathways associated with the addictive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Lax
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gal Warhaftig
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - David Ohana
- Max Wertheimer Minerva Center for Cognitive Processes and Human Performance, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rachel Maayan
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Delayahu
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Yehuda Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam, Israel
| | - Paola Roska
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander M Ponizovsky
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gal Yadid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmidt) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Program for Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Yadid G, Ahdoot-Levi H, Bareli T, Maayan R, Weizman A. Dehydroepiandrosterone and Addiction. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 108:385-412. [PMID: 30029736 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction has a great negative influence on society, both social and economic burden. It was widely thought that addicts could choose to stop using drugs if only they had some self-control and principles. Nowadays, science has changed this view, defining drug addiction as a complex brain disease that affects behavior in many ways, both biological and psychological. Currently there is no ground-breaking reliable treatment for drug addiction. For more than a decade we are researching an alternative approach for intervention with drug craving and relapse to its usage, using DHEA, a well-being and antiaging food supplement. In this chapter we navigate through the significant therapeutic effect of DHEA on the brain circuits that control addiction and on behavioral performance both in animal models and addicts. We suggest that an integrative program of add-on DHEA treatment may further enable to dynamically evaluate the progress of rehabilitation of an individual patient, in a comprehensive assessment. Such a program may boost and support the detoxification and rehabilitation process, and help patients regain a normal life in a shorter amount of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Yadid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel; The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
| | - Hadas Ahdoot-Levi
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tzofnat Bareli
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rachel Maayan
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit, Petah Tikva, Israel; Geha Mental Health Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Obasi EM, Tackett JL, Shirtcliff EA, Cavanagh L. The Effects of Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption on Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Rural African Americans. JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0095798416665742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Rurally situated African Americans suffer from stress and drug-related health disparities. Unfortunately, research on potential mechanisms that underlie this public health problem have received limited focus in the scientific literature. This study investigated the physiological impact of nicotine and alcohol use on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) functioning, a biomarker previously linked to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal functioning. Method: A rural sample of African American emerging adults ( n = 84) completed a battery of assessments and provided six samples of salivary DHEA at wakeup, 30 minutes postwakeup, 90 minutes postwakeup, 3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Results: Participants had more DHEA on waking as a function of smoking greater number of cigarettes throughout the day. Although this effect was not replicated with increased levels of alcohol consumption, the interaction between cigarette and alcohol use was associated with increased levels of DHEA on waking. Conclusion: While use of a single substance (i.e., cigarettes) was related to higher DHEA and greater hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activation, the addition of a second substance (i.e., alcohol) shifted the individual toward the hyperactive arousal profile common within chronically stressed or challenged populations. These findings support the need to further investigate the relationship between polysubstance use and physiological functioning that may be linked to known health disparities in the African American community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezemenari M. Obasi
- Hwemudua Addictions and Health Disparities Laboratory (HAHDL), University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Lucia Cavanagh
- Hwemudua Addictions and Health Disparities Laboratory (HAHDL), University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Ohana D, Maayan R, Delayahu Y, Roska P, Ponizovsky AM, Weizman A, Yadid G, Yechiam E. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone add-on therapy on mood, decision making and subsequent relapse of polydrug users. Addict Biol 2016; 21:885-94. [PMID: 25818161 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A major problem in the treatment of addiction is predicting and preventing relapse following a rehabilitation program. Recently, in preclinical rodent studies dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was found to markedly improve the resistance to drug reuse. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of DHEA on relapse rates in adult polydrug users taking part in a detoxification program enriched with intensive psychosocial interventions and aftercare. During treatment, participants (79 percent males, mean age 28) consumed DHEA (100 mg/day) or placebo daily for at least 30 days. Of the 121 initial volunteers, 64 participated for at least 1 month. While in treatment, DHEA reduced negative affect on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (F = 4.25, P = 0.04). Furthermore, in a 16-month follow-up, we found that reuse rates in the DHEA condition were about a third compared with placebo (12 versus 38 percent; χ(2) = 5.03, P = 0.02). DHEA treatment also resulted in an increase in DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) 1 month following treatment, and the level of DHEA-S predicted relapse in the follow-up assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ohana
- Max Wertheimer Minerva Center; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center; Bar Ilan University; Israel
| | - Rachel Maayan
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry; Felsenstein Medical Research Center; Research Unit; Geha Mental Health Center; Tel-Aviv University; Israel
| | - Yael Delayahu
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry; Felsenstein Medical Research Center; Research Unit; Geha Mental Health Center; Tel-Aviv University; Israel
- Abarbanel Mental Health Center; Israel
| | - Paola Roska
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services; Israeli Ministry of Health; Israel
- Hebrew University; Israel
| | - Alexander M. Ponizovsky
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services; Israeli Ministry of Health; Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry; Felsenstein Medical Research Center; Research Unit; Geha Mental Health Center; Tel-Aviv University; Israel
| | - Gal Yadid
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center; Bar Ilan University; Israel
| | - Eldad Yechiam
- Max Wertheimer Minerva Center; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; Israel
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Krzascik P, Zajda ME, Majewska MD. The neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, but not androsterone, enhances the antidepressant effect of cocaine examined in the forced swim test--Possible role of serotonergic neurotransmission. Horm Behav 2015; 70:64-72. [PMID: 25747464 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
One of the mechanisms of cocaine's actions in the central nervous system is its antidepressant action. This effect might be responsible for increased usage of the drug by individuals with mood disorders. Higher endogenous levels of the excitatory neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were reported to correlate with successful abstinence from cocaine use in addicts, but a clinical trial showed that supplementation with a high dose of DHEA increased cocaine usage instead. Such ambiguous effects of DHEA(S) could potentially be linked to its influence on the antidepressant effect of cocaine. In this study we tested DHEAS and its metabolite, androsterone, for interactions with cocaine in animal model of depression (forced swim test) and examined the effects of both steroids and cocaine on serotoninergic neurotransmission. All substances were also tested for influence on locomotor activity. A cocaine dose of 5mg/kg, which had no significant effect on locomotor activity, was chosen for the forced swim test. Neither DHEAS nor androsterone showed any antidepressant action in this test, while cocaine manifested a clear antidepressant effect. Androsterone slightly reduced the antidepressant influence of cocaine while DHEAS markedly, dose-dependently enhanced it. Such an effect might be caused by the influence of DHEAS on serotonin neurotransmission, as this steroid decreased serotonin concentration and turnover in the striatum. When DHEAS and cocaine were administered together, the levels of serotonin in the striatum and hippocampus remained unchanged. This phenomenon may explain the additive antidepressant action of DHEAS and cocaine and why co-administration of DHEAS and cocaine increases drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Krzascik
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1b Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Elzbieta Zajda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1b Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; Marie Curie Program (EC), Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Maria Dorota Majewska
- Marie Curie Program (EC), Department of Pharmacology and Physiology of the Nervous System, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
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Zhou Y, Kreek MJ. Alcohol: a stimulant activating brain stress responsive systems with persistent neuroadaptation. Neuropharmacology 2014; 87:51-8. [PMID: 24929109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Addictive diseases, including addiction to alcohol, opiates or cocaine, pose massive public health costs. Addictions are chronic relapsing brain diseases, caused by drug-induced direct effects and persistent neuroadaptations at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels. These drug-type specific neuroadapations are mainly contributed by three factors: environment, including stress, the direct reinforcing effects of the drug on the CNS, and genetics. Results from animal models and basic clinical research (including human genetic study) have shown important interactions between the stress responsive systems and alcohol abuse. In this review we will discuss the involvement of the dysregulation of the stress responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in alcohol addiction (Section I). Addictions to specific drugs such as alcohol, psychostimulants and opiates (e.g., heroin) have some common direct or downstream effects on several brain stress-responsive systems, including vasopressin and its receptor system (Section II), POMC and mu opioid receptor system (Section III) and dynorphin and kappa opioid receptor systems (Section IV). Further understanding of these systems, through laboratory-based and translational studies, have the potential to optimize early interventions and to discover new treatment targets for the therapy of alcoholism. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'CNS Stimulants'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Association of DHEA, DHEAS, and cortisol with childhood trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2014; 29:56-62. [PMID: 23907073 PMCID: PMC3951407 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0b013e328364ecd1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There has been a great deal of interest in the role of the neuroendocrine hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the expression of stress-related psychopathology such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This investigation examined the association of PTSD and childhood maltreatment with three key HPA axis hormones: cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Regression analyses were undertaken on a sample of 43 participants with and 57 participants without PTSD. Results demonstrated that after controlling for age, sex, and PTSD status, exposure to childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with cortisol secretion [F(4,95)=11.68, ΔR(2)=0.11, P=0.0009] and cortisol/DHEA ratio [F(4,95)=6.20, ΔR(2)=0.05, P=0.01]. PTSD status was not associated with any of these neuroendocrine variables. Findings are discussed in the context of the complexity of the relationship of these neuroendocrine variables with trauma exposure and trauma-related psychopathology. It is suggested that DHEA(S) or cortisol/DHEA(S) ratios may not be biomarkers of specific forms of psychopathology per se, but that, instead, the severity and developmental timing of trauma may set the HPA axis in ways that are reflected in interactions among these neuroendocrine hormones. In adulthood, these HPA axis hormones may continue to be dynamically affected by personal and environmental resources.
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Abstract
Substantial evidence shows that the hypophyseal–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and corticosteroids are involved in the process of addiction to a variety of agents, and the adrenal cortex has a key role. In general, plasma concentrations of cortisol (or corticosterone in rats or mice) increase on drug withdrawal in a manner that suggests correlation with the behavioural and symptomatic sequelae both in man and in experimental animals. Corticosteroid levels fall back to normal values in resumption of drug intake. The possible interactions between brain corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) products and the systemic HPA, and additionally with the local CRH–POMC system in the adrenal gland itself, are complex. Nevertheless, the evidence increasingly suggests that all may be interlinked and that CRH in the brain and brain POMC products interact with the blood-borne HPA directly or indirectly. Corticosteroids themselves are known to affect mood profoundly and may themselves be addictive. Additionally, there is a heightened susceptibility for addicted subjects to relapse in conditions that are associated with change in HPA activity, such as in stress, or at different times of the day. Recent studies give compelling evidence that a significant part of the array of addictive symptoms is directly attributable to the secretory activity of the adrenal cortex and the actions of corticosteroids. Additionally, sex differences in addiction may also be attributable to adrenocortical function: in humans, males may be protected through higher secretion of DHEA (and DHEAS), and in rats, females may be more susceptible because of higher corticosterone secretion.
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The association of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate with anxiety sensitivity and electronic diary negative affect among smokers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2013; 33:556-60. [PMID: 23771199 PMCID: PMC3896952 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e3182968962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased smoking initiation, maintenance, and relapse. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) are neurosteroids that have been associated with mood measures as well as smoking status, and nicotine is associated with increased DHEA and DHEAS levels. Given the difficulties with mood experienced by smokers with PTSD, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the association between negative affect and anxiety sensitivity with DHEA and DHEAS levels. Ninety-six smokers with and without PTSD provided blood samples for neurosteroid analyses and completed self-report measures of anxiety sensitivity and electronic diary ratings of negative affect. As expected, PTSD smokers reported higher levels of anxiety sensitivity (F(1,94) = 20.67, partial η2 = 0.18, P < 0.0001) and negative affect (F(1,91) = 7.98, partial η2 = 0.08, P = 0.006). After accounting for age and sex, DHEAS was significantly inversely associated with both anxiety sensitivity (F(3,92) = 6.97, partial η2 = 0.07, P = 0.01) and negative affect (F(3,87) = 10.52, partial η2 = 0.11, P = 0.002) across groups. Effect sizes indicated that these effects are moderate to high. No significant interactions of diagnosis and DHEA(S) levels with mood measures were detected. Given that nicotine is known to elevate DHEA(S) levels, these results suggest that DHEAS may serve as a biomarker of the association between mood and nicotine among smokers. Implications for the results include (1) the use of DHEAS measurement across time and across quit attempts and (2) the potential for careful use of DHEA supplementation to facilitate abstinence during smoking cessation.
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Wemm S, Fanean A, Baker A, Blough ER, Mewaldt S, Bardi M. Problematic drinking and physiological responses among female college students. Alcohol 2013; 47:149-57. [PMID: 23333036 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2012.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Problematic drinking is a widespread problem among college students, and can contribute to alcohol dependence during later adulthood, particularly among females. The current study assessed vulnerability for alcohol-related consequences by comparing self-reported drinking with coping styles and physiological and behavioral stress responses during a challenging task. Cardiovascular measurements and saliva samples were taken from 88 female students at the beginning of the experiment and after the task. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity was measured by assessing cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) salivary levels. The behavioral task consisted of a set of three anagrams of increasing difficulty, the last of which had no possible solution, to test the distress tolerance of the participants. Results showed that the majority of participants (70%) reported drinking in the six months prior to data collection, most of whom reported at least one incident of binge drinking. Excessive alcohol use was related to an impaired physiological response to stress during the impossible task. College students who drank to cope with stress had significantly higher basal levels of cortisol and DHEA, an indication of HPA axis over-regulation, while their stress response remained remarkably flat. Self-reported consequences of drinking were related to motives for drinking and lower DHEA levels. Regression analysis indicated that higher cortisol levels mediated the relationship between motives for drinking and problematic drinking.
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Xu L, Shi R, Wang B, Gao Y, Geng J, Zhou L, Guo G, Zhang Y, Chen J, Cao X, Zhang S. Effect of 3 Weeks of Balneotherapy on Immunological Parameters, Trace Metal Elements and Mood States in Pilots. J Phys Ther Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1589/jpts.25.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Department of Aerospace Biodynamics, Fourth Military Medical University
- Department of Medical Affairs, Lintong Sanatorium of Lanzhou Military Region
| | - Runze Shi
- Department of Health, Lanzhou Military Region
| | - Bing Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Education
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Aerospace Biodynamics, Fourth Military Medical University
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Education
| | - Jie Geng
- Department of Aerospace Biodynamics, Fourth Military Medical University
| | - Linfu Zhou
- Department of Medical Affairs, Lintong Sanatorium of Lanzhou Military Region
| | - Guanghui Guo
- Department of Medical Affairs, Lintong Sanatorium of Lanzhou Military Region
| | | | - Jingzao Chen
- Department of Aerospace Biodynamics, Fourth Military Medical University
| | - Xinsheng Cao
- Department of Aerospace Biodynamics, Fourth Military Medical University
| | - Shu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Education
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14
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Kreek MJ, Levran O, Reed B, Schlussman SD, Zhou Y, Butelman ER. Opiate addiction and cocaine addiction: underlying molecular neurobiology and genetics. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:3387-93. [PMID: 23023708 DOI: 10.1172/jci60390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Addictive diseases, including addiction to heroin, prescription opioids, or cocaine, pose massive personal and public health costs. Addictions are chronic relapsing diseases of the brain caused by drug-induced direct effects and persisting neuroadaptations at the epigenetic, mRNA, neuropeptide, neurotransmitter, or protein levels. These neuroadaptations, which can be specific to drug type, and their resultant behaviors are modified by various internal and external environmental factors, including stress responsivity, addict mindset, and social setting. Specific gene variants, including variants encoding pharmacological target proteins or genes mediating neuroadaptations, also modify vulnerability at particular stages of addiction. Greater understanding of these interacting factors through laboratory-based and translational studies have the potential to optimize early interventions for the therapy of chronic addictive diseases and to reduce the burden of relapse. Here, we review the molecular neurobiology and genetics of opiate addiction, including heroin and prescription opioids, and cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jeanne Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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15
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Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is synthesised from dehydroepiandrosterone by the enzyme sulphotransferase. DHEAS is one of the most important neurosteroids in the brain. The concentration of DHEAS in the brain is sometimes higher than peripheral system. At the cellular level, DHEAS has been shown to modulate a variety of synaptic transmission, including cholinergic, GABAergic dopaminergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission. In addition to the effect on the release of a number of neurotransmitters, DHEAS could also modulate the activity of postsynaptic receptors. DHEAS has been found to have multiple important effects on brain functions, such as memory enhancing, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, and may have relationships with many brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Persistent increase in hypothalamic arginine vasopressin gene expression during protracted withdrawal from chronic escalating-dose cocaine in rodents. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:2062-75. [PMID: 21677651 PMCID: PMC3158323 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus has important roles in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress-related behaviors during chronic stress. It is unknown, however, whether AVP in the PVN is involved in the modulation of HPA activity after chronic cocaine exposure. Here, we examined the gene expression alterations of AVP in the hypothalamus, and V1b receptor and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the anterior pituitary, as well as HPA hormonal changes, in Fischer rats after chronic cocaine and withdrawal, using two different chronic (14-day) 'binge' pattern administration regimens: steady-dose cocaine (SDC, 45 mg/kg/day) and escalating-dose cocaine (EDC, 45 up to 90 mg/kg/day). There was a significant (7-fold) plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) elevation after chronic EDC (but not SDC), coupled with increased V1b and POMC mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary. From acute (1-day) to protracted (14-day) withdrawal from chronic EDC (but not from SDC), we found persistent elevations of both plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels and AVP mRNA levels in the PVN. Selective V1b antagonist SSR149415 (5 mg/kg) attenuated acute withdrawal-induced HPA activation after EDC. To study potential roles of endogenous opioids in modulating the AVP gene, we administered naloxone (1 mg/kg); we found that opioid receptor antagonism increased AVP mRNA levels in cocaine-naive rats, but not in cocaine-withdrawn rats, suggesting less tonic opioid inhibition of PVN AVP neurons after chronic EDC. To assess the effects of cocaine withdrawal on sub-populations of PVN AVP neurons, we utilized AVP-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) promoter transgenic mice and found that acute withdrawal following chronic EDC increased the number of AVP-EGFP neurons in the parvocellular PVN (pPVN). These results suggest that during protracted withdrawal, enhanced pPVN AVP gene expression is associated with persistent elevations of basal HPA activity; a hyposensitivity of PVN AVP gene expression to naloxone is indicative of reduced opioidergic tone. Our studies indicate that the AVP and its V1b receptor system may be a potential therapeutic target for treating anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with cocaine addiction.
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17
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D'Souza MS, Markou A. Neural substrates of psychostimulant withdrawal-induced anhedonia. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2010; 3:119-178. [PMID: 21161752 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2009_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulant drugs have powerful reinforcing and hedonic properties and are frequently abused. Cessation of psychostimulant administration results in a withdrawal syndrome characterized by anhedonia (i.e., an inability to experience pleasure). In humans, psychostimulant withdrawal-induced anhedonia can be debilitating and has been hypothesized to play an important role in relapse to drug use. Hence, understanding the neural substrates involved in psychostimulant withdrawal-induced anhedonia is essential. In this review, we first summarize the theoretical perspectives of psychostimulant withdrawal-induced anhedonia. Experimental procedures and measures used to assess anhedonia in experimental animals are also discussed. The review then focuses on neural substrates hypothesized to play an important role in anhedonia experienced after termination of psychostimulant administration, such as with cocaine, amphetamine-like drugs, and nicotine. Both neural substrates that have been extensively investigated and some that need further evaluation with respect to psychostimulant withdrawal-induced anhedonia are reviewed. In the context of reviewing the various neurosubstrates of psychostimulant withdrawal, we also discuss pharmacological medications that have been used to treat psychostimulant withdrawal in humans. This literature review indicates that great progress has been made in understanding the neural substrates of anhedonia associated with psychostimulant withdrawal. These advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of anhedonia may also shed light on the neurobiology of nondrug-induced anhedonia, such as that seen as a core symptom of depression and a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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18
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Poling J, Kosten TR, Sofuoglu M. Treatment Outcome Predictors for Cocaine Dependence. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2009; 33:191-206. [PMID: 17497542 DOI: 10.1080/00952990701199416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, a large number of potential medications have been examined in clinical trials for cocaine dependence. Unfortunately, no effective pharmacotherapies for cocaine dependence have been found to date. Although effective treatments for cocaine dependence are still being investigated, a few variables have been found to significantly predict cocaine treatment response. These variables include cocaine use variables, such as days of cocaine use in the month before treatment, baseline urine cocaine results, and cocaine withdrawal symptoms. Comorbid depression and alcohol use have also been shown to be risk factors for relapse. Among personality variables, impulsivity and similar personality traits may predict treatment response. Initial promising findings with genetic polymorphism, brain activation, and stress response have also been found and need to be replicated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Poling
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System. West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
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19
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Hood S, O'Neil G, Hulse G. The role of flumazenil in the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence: physiological and psychological profiles. J Psychopharmacol 2009; 23:401-9. [PMID: 19164495 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108100322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Two-related studies are presented here, detailing our early experience with benzodiazepine-dependent patients treated with a four-day flumazenil infusion using a novel delivery technique. Patients with long-term benzodiazepine dependence who attended the Australian Medical Procedures Research Foundation (AMPRF, Perth, Australia) for treatment were recruited for these studies. Self-reported psychological and physical symptoms, as well as objective vital signs data were collected at intervals before, during and 2 weeks postinfusion. Study A is a case series with cardiovascular measures; study B is an open trial that tracks the psychological profiles of 13 subjects. Withdrawal symptoms were tracked, however, the nature and severity of these symptoms differed between patients. No major complications or discomfort prompting study dropout was observed. Significant benzodiazepine abstinence occurred with this flumazenil infusion method despite high levels of initial dependence, comorbid substance use and comorbid psychiatric illness. Low-dose flumazenil infusion appears to be a safe and effective treatment resulting in withdrawal symptoms of lesser severity than any other cessation method currently available. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hood
- School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
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20
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Maayan R, Touati-Werner D, Shamir D, Yadid G, Friedman A, Eisner D, Weizman A, Herman I. The effect of DHEA complementary treatment on heroin addicts participating in a rehabilitation program: a preliminary study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2008; 18:406-13. [PMID: 18346881 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2007] [Revised: 12/12/2007] [Accepted: 12/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the effect of DHEA complementary treatment in opiate addicts undergoing detoxification. DHEA (100 mg/day) or placebo was added to the routine medication protocol in a randomized, double blind controlled study. Follow-up for 12 months was conducted. Two separate DHEA-treated subgroups were identified by the Fuzzy clustering method: one showed statistically significant improvement in the severity of withdrawal symptoms, depression and anxiety scores (n=34; p<0.001 for all) and the other subgroup deteriorated in all measures (n=15). DHEA at the end of the detoxification program showed a tendency towards correlation with the duration of abstinence (r=0.6843; p>0.05; n=6), while a negative correlation was obtained with the cortisol level (r=-0.900; p=0.005, n=8). The completion-rate of the DHEA-improved subgroup was greater than in the DHEA-deteriorated subgroup (64.7% vs. 33.3%, respectively). The influence of supplementary DHEA treatment was mostly effective in heroin addicts who had not previously used either cocaine or benzodiazepines and who had experienced only few withdrawal programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Maayan
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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21
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Abstract
Finding the predictors of outcome in outpatient cocaine dependence treatment trials may be useful for the development of both psychosocial as well as pharmacological treatments for cocaine dependence. Among the most powerful predictors of response to psychosocial treatment are cocaine withdrawal symptom severity and the results of a urine drug screen (UDS) collected at study entry. The present trial seeks to extend these findings by examining outcome predictors in a large number of subjects participating in a series of outpatient cocaine pharmacotherapy trials while selecting three separate criteria to define successful outcome. The ability of several baseline variables were tested to predict treatment outcome in a series of cocaine medication trials that included 402 cocaine-dependent subjects. Predictor variables included results from the baseline Addiction Severity Index (ASI), initial UDS results, and cocaine withdrawal symptom severity at treatment entry, as measured by scores on the Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA). Outcome measures included UDS results obtained during the trials and results from the ASI gathered at the end of the trials. Baseline variables that most consistently predicted treatment outcome were the initial UDS results and initial CSSA scores. These findings indicate that baseline UDS results and CSSA scores are powerful predictors of outcome and should be used as stratifying variables in outpatient cocaine medication trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshid Ahmadi
- Department of Psychiatry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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22
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Doron R, Fridman L, Gispan-Herman I, Maayan R, Weizman A, Yadid G. DHEA, a neurosteroid, decreases cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2006; 31:2231-6. [PMID: 16421515 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which can act as a potential antidepressant in both animals and humans, appears to lower distress involved with cocaine withdrawal. In fact, a role for neurosteroids in modulation of substance-seeking behavior is becoming increasingly clear. Therefore, we tested the effects of DHEA on the self-administration of cocaine (1 mg/kg/infusion) by rats. At maintenance, a relatively low dose of exogenous DHEA (2 mg/kg; i.p.) attenuated cocaine self-administration after several days of chronic treatment. More than 2 weeks (19 days) of daily DHEA injections were required to decrease the cocaine-seeking behavior of rats to less than 20% of their maintenance levels. DHEA does not seem to decrease cocaine self-administration by increasing the reinforcing properties of the drug, as indicated by a cocaine dose-response determination. After being subjected to extinction conditions in the presence of DHEA, rats demonstrated a minimal response to acute exposure to cocaine (10 mg/kg), which indicated a protective effect of DHEA on relapse to cocaine usage. Our results suggest a potential role for the neurosteroid DHEA in controlling cocaine-seeking behavior, by reducing both the desire for cocaine usage and the incidence of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravid Doron
- Faculty of Life Sciences and The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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23
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Ceballos NA, France CR, al'Absi M. Influence of naltrexone administration on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in male and female participants. Biol Psychol 2006; 74:414-6. [PMID: 16963172 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2006] [Revised: 07/31/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is an excitatory neurosteroid with anti-glucocorticoid properties. Endogenous opioid system blockade is known to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and other hormonal systems. However, the literature is sparse regarding the extent to which this blockade acutely influences DHEAS activity. Further, the stability of DHEAS concentrations across short term laboratory studies is not well established. The current study examined these issues in human participants. Using a double-blind, counterbalanced design, 50mg of naltrexone and placebo were administered. Repeated salivary samples were then obtained over a 3h period while participants completed a nociceptive testing paradigm. DHEAS and cortisol concentrations were determined. Naltrexone administration was associated with an increase in cortisol concentrations; however, DHEAS was unaffected by naltrexone and did not vary across the course of the study. This finding is an important contribution to the methodological literature, and may be used to verify the stability of DHEAS for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Ceballos
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666-2526, USA
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24
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Maayan R, Lotan S, Doron R, Shabat-Simon M, Gispan-Herman I, Weizman A, Yadid G. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) attenuates cocaine-seeking behavior in the self-administration model in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2006; 16:329-39. [PMID: 16309898 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Accepted: 10/04/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the possible involvement of the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in cocaine-seeking behavior in a self-administration model in rats. DHEA pretreatment (continued thereafter concomitantly with cocaine self-administration) attenuated cocaine-seeking behavior and elevated the levels of dopamine and serotonin in several brain regions relevant to cocaine addiction. Chronic cocaine self-administration induced elevation in brain DHEA, its sulfate ester, DHEAS, and pregnenolone. The increased brain DHEA following cocaine self-administration may serve as a compensatory protective mechanism geared to attenuate the craving for cocaine. Such anti-craving activity is further enhanced by DHEA treatment before and during cocaine self-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Maayan
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel
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25
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Strous RD, Maayan R, Weizman A. The relevance of neurosteroids to clinical psychiatry: from the laboratory to the bedside. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2006; 16:155-69. [PMID: 16257183 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2005] [Revised: 08/08/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are important neuroactive molecules with suggested central involvement in several neurophysiological and psychiatric disease processes. The discovery of neurosteroids followed the revelation that the brain exhibited the capacity to synthesize its own steroids in situ and thus be a potential site of steroidogenesis. In contrast to some steroids that exhibit traditional genomic steroid actions, most neurosteroids appear to regulate neuronal function by means of "non-genomic" mechanisms influencing neuronal excitability. Neurosteroids are synthesized either from CNS cholesterol or from peripheral steroid precursors and exhibit a wide range of modulatory effects on neurotransmitter receptor activity, most notably at the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptor. Neurosteroids play an important role in neurodevelopment and neuroprotective effects, many aspects of which may have particular applicability to psychiatric disorders including various gender differences. Neurosteroids appear to be relevant to the pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment of many psychiatric disorders including the most notable mood and anxiety disorders, but also psychotic, childhood, eating, dementia, stress and postpartum disorders. It has been suggested that neurosteroids may become potential targets for pharmacological intervention in the future with further neurosteroid investigation contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior and psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rael D Strous
- Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, PO Box 1, Beer Yaakov 70350, Israel.
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26
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Gorelick DA, Wilkins JN. Bromocriptine treatment for cocaine addiction: association with plasma prolactin levels. Drug Alcohol Depend 2006; 81:189-95. [PMID: 16051446 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2004] [Revised: 06/02/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist used with mixed success in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Variations in dopamine receptor sensitivity may help account for these differences. We evaluated this question in a 24-week outpatient controlled clinical trial in 70 cocaine-abusing (DSM-III) men (86% African-American, mean age 34 years, mean 39 months of regular cocaine use [predominantly smoked]). Subjects received 4 weeks of inpatient treatment. During the last 2 weeks they were inducted onto bromocriptine (maximum dose 2.5mg po tid) (n=35) or placebo (n=35). Plasma prolactin concentrations were assayed before and after the first bromocriptine dose (1.25mg po) as a measure of dopamine receptor sensitivity. After discharge, subjects continued on medication with weekly group counseling. Bromocriptine significantly suppressed prolactin concentrations (4.4 ng/ml decrease), while placebo did not (0.1 ng/ml decrease). Both groups decreased their cocaine use, with no significant group differences in retention in treatment or proportion of cocaine-positive urine samples. There was no significant association between basal plasma prolactin concentrations or prolactin response to first bromocriptine dose and either outcome measure. These data do not support the efficacy of bromocriptine treatment nor a role for prolactin concentration in predicting treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Gorelick
- Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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