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Monari PK, Hammond ER, Zhao X, Maksimoski AN, Petric R, Malone CL, Riters LV, Marler CA. Conditioned preferences: Gated by experience, context, and endocrine systems. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105529. [PMID: 38492501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Central to the navigation of an ever-changing environment is the ability to form positive associations with places and conspecifics. The functions of location and social conditioned preferences are often studied independently, limiting our understanding of their interplay. Furthermore, a de-emphasis on natural functions of conditioned preferences has led to neurobiological interpretations separated from ecological context. By adopting a naturalistic and ethological perspective, we uncover complexities underlying the expression of conditioned preferences. Development of conditioned preferences is a combination of motivation, reward, associative learning, and context, including for social and spatial environments. Both social- and location-dependent reward-responsive behaviors and their conditioning rely on internal state-gating mechanisms that include neuroendocrine and hormone systems such as opioids, dopamine, testosterone, estradiol, and oxytocin. Such reinforced behavior emerges from mechanisms integrating past experience and current social and environmental conditions. Moreover, social context, environmental stimuli, and internal state gate and modulate motivation and learning via associative reward, shaping the conditioning process. We highlight research incorporating these concepts, focusing on the integration of social neuroendocrine mechanisms and behavioral conditioning. We explore three paradigms: 1) conditioned place preference, 2) conditioned social preference, and 3) social conditioned place preference. We highlight nonclassical species to emphasize the naturalistic applications of these conditioned preferences. To fully appreciate the complex integration of spatial and social information, future research must identify neural networks where endocrine systems exert influence on such behaviors. Such research promises to provide valuable insights into conditioned preferences within a broader naturalistic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick K Monari
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Emma R Hammond
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alyse N Maksimoski
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Radmila Petric
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA; Institute for the Environment, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Candice L Malone
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lauren V Riters
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Catherine A Marler
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA.
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2
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Elhadi K, Daiwile AP, Cadet JL. Modeling methamphetamine use disorder and relapse in animals: short- and long-term epigenetic, transcriptional., and biochemical consequences in the rat brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 155:105440. [PMID: 38707245 PMCID: PMC11068368 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105440] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by binge drug taking episodes, intervals of abstinence, and relapses to drug use even during treatment. MUD has been modeled in rodents and investigators are attempting to identify its molecular bases. Preclinical experiments have shown that different schedules of methamphetamine self-administration can cause diverse transcriptional changes in the dorsal striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present review, we present data on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the rat striatum following methamphetamine intake. These include genes involved in transcription regulation, potassium channel function, and neuroinflammation. We then use the striatal data to discuss the potential significance of the molecular changes induced by methamphetamine by reviewing concordant or discordant data from the literature. This review identified potential molecular targets for pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, there is a need for more research on methamphetamine-induced transcriptional consequences in various brain regions. These data should provide a more detailed neuroanatomical map of methamphetamine-induced changes and should better inform therapeutic interventions against MUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Elhadi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
| | - Atul P. Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224
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3
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Naturalistic learning and reproduction in ring neck doves (Streptopelia risoria). Learn Behav 2022; 50:298-305. [DOI: 10.3758/s13420-022-00534-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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4
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Brackley AD, Toney GM. Oxytocin Receptor Activation Rescues Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression by Systemic Fentanyl in the Rat. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 378:96-107. [PMID: 33990416 PMCID: PMC8407530 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid overdose intervention by naloxone, a high affinity receptor antagonist, reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) and analgesia by displacing opioids. Systemic naloxone stimulates release of the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin, which has analgesic properties and participates in cardiorespiratory homeostasis. To test the hypothesis that oxytocin can reverse OIRD, we assessed the rescue potential of graded doses (0, 0.1, 2, 5, 10, 50 nmol/kg, i.v.) of oxytocin to counter fentanyl (60 nmol/kg, i.v.)-induced depression of neural inspiration indexed by recording phrenic nerve activity (PNA) in anesthetized (urethane/α-chloralose), vagotomized, and artificially ventilated rats. Oxytocin dose-dependently rescued fentanyl OIRD by almost immediately reversing PNA burst arrest (P = 0.0057) and restoring baseline burst frequency (P = 0.0016) and amplitude (P = 0.0025) at low but not high doses, resulting in inverted bell-shaped dose-response curves. Oxytocin receptor antagonism (40 nmol/kg, i.v.) prevented oxytocin reversal of OIRD (arrest: P = 0.0066, frequency: P = 0.0207, amplitude: P = 0.0022). Vasopressin 1A receptor (V1aR) antagonism restored high-dose oxytocin efficacy to rescue OIRD (P = 0.0170 to P < 0.0001), resulting in classic sigmoidal dose-response curves, and prevented (P = 0.0135) transient hypertension from V1aR cross-activation (P = 0.0275). Alone, vasopressin (5 nmol/kg, i.v.) failed to reverse fentanyl respiratory arrest (P = 0.6184). The nonpeptide oxytocin receptor agonist WAY-267464 (75 nmol/kg, i.v.), which has V1aR antagonist properties, quickly reversed fentanyl OIRD (P < 0.0001), with rapid recovery of PNA frequency (P = 0.0011) and amplitude (P = 0.0044) without adverse hemodynamic consequences (P = 0.9991). Findings indicate that peptide and nonpeptide agonist activation of oxytocin receptors without V1aR cross-activation rescues fentanyl OIRD. Oxytocin receptor agonists could be lifesaving resuscitation agents that enhance rather than interrupt opioid analgesia. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Oxytocin receptor activation produces analgesia. Here, we demonstrate that activation by the US Food and Drug Administration-approved agonist oxytocin and the nonpeptide partial agonist WAY-267464 can each reverse fentanyl cardiorespiratory depression. Selective targeting of oxytocin receptors for resuscitation from opioid overdose, alone or in combination with an opioid antagonist, could eliminate or attenuate negative side effects associated with traditional opioid receptor antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Doyle Brackley
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Glenn M Toney
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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5
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Bardo MT, Hammerslag LR, Malone SG. Effect of early life social adversity on drug abuse vulnerability: Focus on corticotropin-releasing factor and oxytocin. Neuropharmacology 2021; 191:108567. [PMID: 33862030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity can set the trajectory for later psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. There are a host of neurobiological factors that may play a role in the negative trajectory. The current review examines preclinical evidence suggesting that early life adversity specifically involving social factors (maternal separation, adolescent social isolation and adolescent social defeat) may influence drug abuse vulnerability by strengthening corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems and weakening oxytocin (OT) systems. In adulthood, pharmacological and genetic evidence indicates that both CRF and OT systems are directly involved in drug reward processes. With early life adversity, numerous studies show an increase in drug abuse vulnerability measured in adulthood, along a concomitant strengthening of CRF systems and a weakening of OT systems. Mechanistic studies, while relatively few in number, are generally consistent with the theme that strengthened CRF systems and weakened OT systems mediate, at least in part, the link between early life adversity and drug abuse vulnerability. Establishing a direct role of CRF and OT in mediating the relation between early life social stressors and drug abuse vulnerability will inform clinical researchers and practitioners toward the development of intervention strategies to reduce risk among those suffering from early life adversities. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA.
| | - Lindsey R Hammerslag
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Samantha G Malone
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
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6
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Sanna F, De Luca MA. The potential role of oxytocin in addiction: What is the target process? Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 58:8-20. [PMID: 33845377 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin regulates a variety of centrally-mediated functions, ranging from socio-sexual behavior, maternal care, and affiliation to fear, stress, anxiety. In the past years, both clinical and preclinical studies characterized oxytocin for its modulatory role on reward-related neural substrates mainly involving the interplay with the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways. This suggests a role of this nonapeptide on the neurobiology of addiction raising the possibility of its therapeutic use. Although far from a precise knowledge of the underlying mechanisms, the putative role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as a key structure where oxytocin may rebalance altered neurochemical processes and neuroplasticity involved in dependence and relapse has been highlighted. This view opens new opportunities to address the health problems related to drug misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
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7
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Che X, Cai J, Liu Y, Xu T, Yang J, Wu C. Oxytocin signaling in the treatment of drug addiction: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107820. [PMID: 33600854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite great advances were achieved in understanding the neurobiology of drug addiction, the therapeutic options are severely limited, with poor effectiveness and serious side effects. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well known for its effects on uterine contraction, sexual/maternal behaviors, social affiliation, stress and learning/memory by interacting with the OXT receptor and other neuromodulators. Emerging evidence suggests that the acute or chronic exposure to drugs can affect the OXT system. Additionally, OXT administration can ameliorate a wide range of abused drug-induced neurobehavioral changes. Overall, OXT not only suppresses drug reward in the binge stage of drug addiction, but also reduces stress responses and social impairments during the withdrawal stage and, finally, prevents drug/cue/stress-induced reinstatement. More importantly, clinical studies have also shown that OXT can exert beneficial effects on reducing substance use disorders of a series of drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. Thus, the present review focuses on the role of OXT in treating drug addiction, including the preclinical and clinical therapeutic potential of OXT and its analogs on the neurobiological perspectives of drugs, to provide a better insight of the efficacy of OXT as a clinical addiction therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Che
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jialing Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Tianyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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8
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Patel D, Sundar M, Lorenz E, Leong KC. Oxytocin Attenuates Expression, but Not Acquisition, of Sucrose Conditioned Place Preference in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:603232. [PMID: 33384589 PMCID: PMC7769941 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.603232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Maladaptation of reward processing for natural rewards, such as sucrose or sugar, may play a role in the development of diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, uncovering mechanisms to disrupt or reverse maladaptation of reward-seeking behaviors for natural reinforcers can provide insight into treatment of such diseases, as well as disorders such as addiction. As such, studying the effects of potential pharmacotherapeutics on maladaptive sugar-seeking behavior offers valuable clinical significance. Sucrose conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigms can offer insight into aspects of reward processes as it provides a way to assess acquisition and expression of context-reward associations. The present study examined the effect of peripheral oxytocin injections on sucrose CPP in rats. Oxytocin, when administered prior to CPP test, attenuated expression of sucrose CPP. However, oxytocin, when administered during sucrose conditioning, did not affect subsequent place preference. These findings suggest oxytocin sufficiently attenuates expression of sucrose-associated place preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Patel
- Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Megana Sundar
- Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Eva Lorenz
- Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kah-Chung Leong
- Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, United States
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9
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Zhang H, Wang Q, Wang Q, Liu A, Qin F, Sun Q, Li Q, Gu Y, Tang Z, Lu S, Lu Z. Circular RNA expression profiling in the nucleus accumbens: Effects of electroacupuncture treatment on morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12794. [PMID: 31240833 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has been developed on the basis of traditional Chinese acupuncture. EA can suppress craving in opioid addicts and opioid-seeking responses in rodents. However, the molecular mechanism of EA on the rewarding properties of morphine and craving responses is not known. Here, we have applied a conditioned place preference paradigm in mice to measure morphine-induced rewarding effects along with EA treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can function as micro RNA (miRNA) sponges to effectively regulate gene expression levels. CircRNA profiling within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was performed in EA-treated and sham-treated mice. Following RNAseq, data were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes (KEGG) tools. We identified 112 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs, including 51 that were up-regulated and 61 that were down-regulated. Our bioinformatics analyses show that these differentially expressed circRNAs map into pathways that are mainly involved with renin secretion and the cGMP-PKG signaling. We further constructed a circRNA-miRNA network that predicts the potential roles of the differentially expressed circRNAs and the interaction of circRNAs with miRNAs. Our secondary sequencing and bioinformatics analysis in the NAc after EA treatment on morphine-induced CPP provides putative novel targets on molecular mechanisms involved in morphine reinforcement and possibly craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- First Clinical Medical College Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Qian Wang
- International Education college Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Qisheng Wang
- First Clinical Medical College Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Anlong Liu
- First Clinical Medical College Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Fenfen Qin
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- College of Pharmacy Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Qinmei Sun
- First Clinical Medical College Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Qian Li
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Yun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Zongxiang Tang
- School of Medicine and Life Science Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Shengfeng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
- College of Pharmacy Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China
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10
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King CE, Gano A, Becker HC. The role of oxytocin in alcohol and drug abuse. Brain Res 2020; 1736:146761. [PMID: 32142721 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) plays a key role in adaptive processes associated with reward, tolerance, memory and stress responses. Through interactions with brain reward and stress systems, OXT is known to play a role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly those that involve altered social integration, such as alcohol and drug addiction (Heilig et al., 2016). As such, there is growing interest in the oxytocin system as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders. Accumulating preclinical evidence suggests that administration of OXT influences the development of tolerance, sensitization and withdrawal symptoms, and modulates numerous alcohol/drug-seeking and alcohol/drug-taking behaviors. Further, there is some evidence to suggest that OXT may help to reverse neuroadaptations that occur as a result of chronic alcohol or drug exposure. To date, there have been only a handful of clinical studies conducted in alcohol and drug dependent populations. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical literature on the effects of OXT administration on alcohol- and drug-related behaviors. In addition, we discuss OXT interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis and multiple neurotransmitter systems within addiction circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E King
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Anny Gano
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
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11
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Fan XY, Shi G, Zhao P. Reversal of oxycodone conditioned place preference by oxytocin: Promoting global DNA methylation in the hippocampus. Neuropharmacology 2019; 160:107778. [PMID: 31526808 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Repeated exposure to the opioid agonist, oxycodone, can lead to addiction. Accumulating evidence has shown that oxytocin (OT), a neurohypophyseal neuropeptide, could reduce the abuse potential of drugs. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic regulation through DNA methylation are involved in neuroadaptations. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of OT on oxycodone conditioned place preference (CPP) and the epigenetic mechanism of OT in the hippocampus. For induction of CPP, oxycodone (3.0 mg/kg, i. p.) was administrated to male Sprague-Dawley rats once every other day during an eight-day conditioning phase. Global 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) level was determined based on CPP procedure, including acquisition, expression, extinction and reinstatement. We also measured mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), ten-eleven translocations (Tets) and synaptic genes (Psd95, Shank2, Gap43, etc.), and determined synaptic density after restraint stress-induced reinstatement of oxycodone CPP. The results showed that OT (2.5 μg, i. c.v.) pretreatment specifically inhibited the CPP acquisition and expression, facilitated the CPP extinction, and abolished restraint stress-induced reinstatement of oxycodone CPP. OT markedly inhibited global 5-mC changes induced by oxycodone CPP in the four phases. Following restraint stress-induced reinstatement of oxycodone CPP, OT significantly increased mRNA levels of Dnmt1, decreased Tet1 mRNA, synaptic proteins and synaptic density in the hippocampus. Our study indicated that reversal of global DNA hypomethylation through OT could significantly attenuate the rewarding effects induced by oxycodone. Our results suggested that OT could be specific manipulation on oxycodone addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Shi
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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12
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Abstract
The neuropeptide Oxytocin (ΟΤ) is involved as a neurohormone, a neurotransmitter, or a neuromodulator in an extensive range of central and peripheral effects, complex emotional and social human behaviors, memory and learning processes. It is implicated in homeostatic, neuroadaptive processes associated with stress responses and substance use via interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the dopamine mesolimbic reward stress system. This chapter reviews the preclinical and clinical literature on the complicated relationships between endogenous and exogenous opioids and ΟΤ systems and attempts to highlight key findings to date on the effectiveness of intranasal OT administration to treat opioid use disorders. OΤ seems to attenuate, even inhibit, the development of opioid use disorders in preclinical models but is still under clinical research as a promising pharmacological agent in the treatment of opioid use related behaviors. Evidence suggests a role for OT as an adjunctive or stand-alone treatment of behavioral, cognitive and emotional deficits associated with substance use, which may be responsible for seeking behavior and relapse. The mechanisms by which oxytocin acts to reverse the neural substrates of these deficits, partially due to substance induced alterations of the endogenous OT system, and thus modify the behavioral response to substance use are discussed. Other clinically relevant issues are also discussed.
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13
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Legaz I, Pérez-Cárceles MD, de la Calle I, Arjona F, Roca M, Cejudo P, Luna A, Osuna E. Genetic susceptibility to nicotine and/or alcohol addiction: a systematic review. TOXIN REV 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2019.1619085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Legaz
- University of Murcia - Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
| | - M. D. Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Miriam Roca
- University of Murcia - Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Cejudo
- University of Murcia - Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
| | - Aurelio Luna
- University of Murcia - Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Osuna
- University of Murcia - Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain
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14
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Riters LV, Kelm-Nelson CA, Spool JA. Why Do Birds Flock? A Role for Opioids in the Reinforcement of Gregarious Social Interactions. Front Physiol 2019; 10:421. [PMID: 31031641 PMCID: PMC6473117 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of social groups provides safety and opportunities for individuals to develop and practice important social skills. However, joining a social group does not result in any form of obvious, immediate reinforcement (e.g., it does not result in immediate copulation or a food reward), and individuals often remain in social groups despite agonistic responses from conspecifics. Much is known about neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying the motivation to perform mate- or offspring-directed behaviors. In contrast, relatively little is known about mechanisms underlying affiliative behaviors outside of these primary reproductive contexts. Studies on flocking behavior in songbirds are beginning to fill this knowledge gap. Here we review behavioral evidence that supports the hypothesis that non-sexual affiliative, flocking behaviors are both (1) rewarded by positive social interactions with conspecifics, and (2) reinforced because affiliative contact reduces a negative affective state caused by social isolation. We provide evidence from studies in European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, that mu opioid receptors in the medial preoptic nucleus (mPOA) play a central role in both reward and the reduction of a negative affective state induced by social interactions in flocks, and discuss potential roles for nonapeptide/opioid interactions and steroid hormones. Finally, we develop the case that non-sexual affiliative social behaviors may be modified by two complementary output pathways from mPOA, with a projection from mPOA to the periaqueductal gray integrating information during social interactions that reduces negative affect and a projection from mPOA to the ventral tegmental area integrating information leading to social approach and reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V. Riters
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Cynthia A. Kelm-Nelson
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jeremy A. Spool
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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Zanos P, Georgiou P, Weber C, Robinson F, Kouimtsidis C, Niforooshan R, Bailey A. Oxytocin and opioid addiction revisited: old drug, new applications. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:2809-2824. [PMID: 28378414 PMCID: PMC6016632 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction has devastating health and socio-economic consequences, and current pharmacotherapy is limited and often accompanied by side effects, thus novel treatment is warranted. Traditionally, the neurohypophyseal peptide oxytocin (OT) is known for its effects on mediating reward, social affiliation and bonding, stress and learning and memory. There is now strong evidence that OT is a possible candidate for the treatment of drug addiction and depression-addiction co-morbidities. This review summarizes and critically discusses the preclinical evidence surrounding the consequences of pharmacological manipulation of the oxytocinergic system on opioid addiction-related processes, as well as the effects of opioids on the OT system at different stages of the addiction cycle. The mechanisms underlying the effects of OT on opioid addiction, including OT' interaction with the monoaminergic, glutamatergic, opioidergic systems and its effect on the amygdala, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and on memory consolidation of traumatic memories, are also reviewed. We also review clinical evidence on the effects of intranasal OT administration on opioid-dependent individuals and discuss the therapeutic potential along with the limitations that accompany OT-based pharmacotherapies. Review of these studies clearly indicates that the OT system is profoundly affected by opioid use and abstinence and points towards the OT system as an important target for developing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of opioid addiction and co-existing affective disorders, thereby preventing relapse. Therefore, there is a clear need for clinical studies assessing the efficacy of OT-based pharmacotherapies in opioid addiction. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Carol Weber
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Fiona Robinson
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation TrustChertseySurreyUK
| | | | | | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
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Rae M, Zanos P, Georgiou P, Chivers P, Bailey A, Camarini R. Environmental enrichment enhances conditioned place preference to ethanol via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:267-274. [PMID: 29908241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions, such as stress and environmental enrichment (EE), influence predisposition to alcohol use/abuse; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the effect of environmental conditions on the initial rewarding effects of alcohol, we examined conditioned place-preference (CPP) to alcohol following exposure to EE in mice. Since social context is a major factor contributing to initial alcohol-drinking, we also assessed the impact of EE on the levels of the "social neuropeptide" oxytocin (OT) and its receptor, OTR. Finally, we assessed the effect of pharmacological manipulations of the oxytocinergic system on EE-induced alcohol CPP. While EE increased sociability and reduced anxiety-like behaviors, it caused a ∼3.5-fold increase in alcohol reward compared to controls. EE triggered profound neuroadaptations of the oxytocinergic system; it increased hypothalamic OT levels and decreased OTR binding in the prefrontal cortex and olfactory nuclei of the brain. Repeated administration of the OT analogue carbetocin (6.4 mg/kg/day) mimicked the behavioral effects of EE on ethanol CPP and induced similar brain region-specific alterations of OTR binding as those observed following EE. Conversely, repeated administration of the OTR antagonist L,369-899 (5 mg/kg/day) during EE exposure, but not during the acquisition of alcohol CPP, reversed the pronounced EE-induced ethanol rewarding effect. These results demonstrate for the first time, a stimulatory effect of environmental enrichment exposure on alcohol reward via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism, which may predispose to alcohol abuse. This study offers a unique prospective on the neurobiological understanding of the initial stages of alcohol use/misuse driven by complex environmental-social interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Panos Zanos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Priti Chivers
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK; Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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17
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Greene RK, Spanos M, Alderman C, Walsh E, Bizzell J, Mosner MG, Kinard JL, Stuber GD, Chandrasekhar T, Politte LC, Sikich L, Dichter GS. The effects of intranasal oxytocin on reward circuitry responses in children with autism spectrum disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2018; 10:12. [PMID: 29587625 PMCID: PMC5870086 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-018-9228-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intranasal oxytocin (OT) has been shown to improve social communication functioning of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, thus, has received considerable interest as a potential ASD therapeutic agent. Although preclinical research indicates that OT modulates the functional output of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system that processes rewards, no clinical brain imaging study to date has examined the effects of OT on this system using a reward processing paradigm. To address this, we used an incentive delay task to examine the effects of a single dose of intranasal OT, versus placebo (PLC), on neural responses to social and nonsocial rewards in children with ASD. METHODS In this placebo-controlled double-blind study, 28 children and adolescents with ASD (age: M = 13.43 years, SD = 2.36) completed two fMRI scans, one after intranasal OT administration and one after PLC administration. During both scanning sessions, participants completed social and nonsocial incentive delay tasks. Task-based neural activation and connectivity were examined to assess the impact of OT relative to PLC on mesocorticolimbic brain responses to social and nonsocial reward anticipation and outcomes. RESULTS Central analyses compared the OT and PLC conditions. During nonsocial reward anticipation, there was greater activation in the right nucleus accumbens (NAcc), left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), bilateral orbital frontal cortex (OFC), left superior frontal cortex, and right frontal pole (FP) during the OT condition relative to PLC. Alternatively, during social reward anticipation and outcomes, there were no significant increases in brain activation during the OT condition relative to PLC. A Treatment Group × Reward Condition interaction revealed relatively greater activation in the right NAcc, right caudate nucleus, left ACC, and right OFC during nonsocial relative to social reward anticipation during the OT condition relative to PLC. Additionally, these analyses revealed greater activation during nonsocial reward outcomes during the OT condition relative to PLC in the right OFC and left FP. Finally, functional connectivity analyses generally revealed changes in frontostriatal connections during the OT condition relative to PLC in response to nonsocial, but not social, rewards. CONCLUSIONS The effects of intranasal OT administration on mesocorticolimbic brain systems that process rewards in ASD were observable primarily during the processing of nonsocial incentive salience stimuli. These findings have implications for understanding the effects of OT on neural systems that process rewards, as well as for experimental trials of novel ASD treatments developed to ameliorate social communication impairments in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Greene
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - M Spanos
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - C Alderman
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - E Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - J Bizzell
- Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - M G Mosner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - J L Kinard
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - G D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - T Chandrasekhar
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - L C Politte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - L Sikich
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - G S Dichter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA. .,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, CB 7155, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7155, USA.
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18
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Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of oxytocin (OT) as a potential treatment for alcohol and other substance-use disorders. OT is a neuropeptide that modulates adaptive processes associated with addiction including reward, tolerance, associative learning, memory, and stress responses. OT exerts its effects through interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and multiple neurotransmitter systems including the dopamine mesolimbic reward and corticotrophin-releasing factor stress systems. The effects of OT on stress systems are of high interest, given the strong link between stress, drug use and relapse, and known dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity associated with substance-use disorders. At the same time, the OT system is itself altered by acute or chronic drug exposure. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical literature on the OT system and its relevance to drug and alcohol addiction. In addition, findings from recent clinical trials conducted in participants with cocaine, cannabis, or alcohol use disorder are included and evidence that OT may help to normalize blunted stress responses, and attenuate withdrawal-associated hypercortisolism, negative mood, and withdrawal symptoms is summarized.
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19
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Bowen MT, Neumann ID. Rebalancing the Addicted Brain: Oxytocin Interference with the Neural Substrates of Addiction. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:691-708. [PMID: 29128108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Drugs that act on the brain oxytocin (OXT) system may provide a much-needed treatment breakthrough for substance-use disorders. Targeting the brain OXT system has the potential to treat addiction to all major classes of addictive substance and to intervene across all stages of the addiction cycle. Emerging evidence suggests that OXT is able to interfere with such a wide range of addictive behaviours for such a wide range of addictive substances by rebalancing core neural systems that become dysregulated over the course of addiction. By improving our understanding of these interactions between OXT and the neural substrates of addiction, we will not only improve our understanding of addiction, but also our ability to effectively treat these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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20
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Pedersen CA. Oxytocin, Tolerance, and the Dark Side of Addiction. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:239-274. [PMID: 29056153 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorders blight the lives of millions of people and inflict a heavy financial burden on society. There is a compelling need for new pharmacological treatments as current drugs have limited efficacy and other major drawbacks. A substantial number of animal and recent clinical studies indicate that the neuropeptide, oxytocin, is a particularly promising therapeutic agent for human addictions, especially alcohol use disorders. In preliminary trials, we found that oxytocin administered by the intranasal route, which produces some neuropeptide penetration into the CNS, potently blocked withdrawal and reduced alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers. A considerable body of earlier animal studies demonstrated that oxytocin inhibits tolerance to alcohol, opioids, and stimulants as well as withdrawal from alcohol and opioids. Based on these preclinical findings and our clinical results, we hypothesize that oxytocin may exert therapeutic effects in substance dependence by the novel mechanism of diminishing established tolerance. A newer wave of studies has almost unanimously found that oxytocin decreases self-administration of a number of addictive substances in several animal models of addiction. Reduction of established tolerance should be included among the potential explanations of oxytocin effects in these studies and changes in tolerance should be examined in future studies in relationship to oxytocin influences on acquisition and reinstatement of self-administration as well as extinction of drug seeking. Oxytocin efficacy in reducing anxiety and stress responses as well as established tolerance suggests it may be uniquely effective in reducing negative reinforcement (Koob's "dark side" of addiction) that maintains chronic substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cort A Pedersen
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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21
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Moaddab M, Dabrowska J. Oxytocin receptor neurotransmission in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis facilitates the acquisition of cued fear in the fear-potentiated startle paradigm in rats. Neuropharmacology 2017; 121:130-139. [PMID: 28456687 PMCID: PMC5553312 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that modulates fear and anxiety-like behaviors. Dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTdl) plays a critical role in the regulation of fear and anxiety, and expresses high levels of OT receptor (OTR). However, the role of OTR neurotransmission within the BNSTdl in mediating these behaviors is unknown. Here, we used adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate the role of OTR neurotransmission in the BNSTdl in the modulation of the acoustic startle response, as well as in the acquisition and consolidation of conditioned fear using fear potentiated startle (FPS) paradigm. Bilateral intra-BNSTdl administration of OT (100 ng) did not affect the acquisition of conditioned fear response. However, intra-BNSTdl administration of specific OTR antagonist (OTA), (d(CH2)51, Tyr(Me)2, Thr4, Orn8, des-Gly-NH29)-vasotocin, (200 ng), prior to the fear conditioning session, impaired the acquisition of cued fear, without affecting a non-cued fear component of FPS. Neither OTA, nor OT affected baseline startle or shock reactivity during fear conditioning. Therefore, the observed impairment of cued fear after OTA infusion resulted from the specific effect on the formation of cued fear. In contrast to the acquisition, neither OTA nor OT affected the consolidation of FPS, when administered after the completion of fear conditioning session. Taken together, these results reveal the important role of OTR neurotransmission in the BNSTdl in the formation of conditioned fear to a discrete cue. This study also highlights the role of the BNSTdl in learning to discriminate between threatening and safe stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Moaddab
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
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22
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-eighth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2015 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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23
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Du Y, Du L, Cao J, Hölscher C, Feng Y, Su H, Wang Y, Yun KM. Levo-tetrahydropalmatine inhibits the acquisition of ketamine-induced conditioned place preference by regulating the expression of ERK and CREB phosphorylation in rats. Behav Brain Res 2017; 317:367-373. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Ponzoni L, Braida D, Bondiolotti G, Sala M. The Non-Peptide Arginine-Vasopressin v 1a Selective Receptor Antagonist, SR49059, Blocks the Rewarding, Prosocial, and Anxiolytic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Its Derivatives in Zebra Fish. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:146. [PMID: 28855876 PMCID: PMC5557732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its derivatives, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-amphetamine hydrobromide (DOB) and para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), are recreational drugs whose pharmacological effects have recently been attributed to serotonin 5HT2A/C receptors. However, there is growing evidence that the oxytocin (OT)/vasopressin system can modulate some the effects of MDMA. In this study, MDMA (2.5-10 mg/kg), DOB (0.5 mg/kg), or PMA (0.005, 0.1, or 0.25 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly to adult zebra fish, alone or in combination with the V1a vasopressin antagonist, SR49059 (0.01-1 ng/kg), before carrying out conditioned place preference (CPP), social preference, novel tank diving, and light-dark tests in order to evaluate subsequent rewarding, social, and emotional-like behavior. The combination of SR49059 and each drug progressively blocked: (1) rewarding behavior as measured by CPP in terms of time spent in drug-paired compartment; (2) prosocial effects measured on the basis of the time spent in the proximity of a nacre fish picture; and (3) anxiolytic effects in terms of the time spent in the upper half of the novel tank and in the white compartment of the tank used for the light-dark test. Antagonism was obtained at SR49059 doses which, when given alone, did not change motor function. In comparison with a control group, receiving vehicle alone, there was a three to five times increase in the brain release of isotocin (the analog of OT in fish) after treatment with the most active doses of MDMA (10 mg/kg), DOB (0.5 mg/kg), and PMA (0.1 mg/kg) as evaluated by means of bioanalytical reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Taken together, these findings show that the OT/vasopressin system is involved in the rewarding, prosocial, and anxiolytic effects of MDMA, DOB, and PMA in zebra fish and underline the association between this system and the behavioral alterations associated with disorders related to substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Bondiolotti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariaelvina Sala
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Milan, Italy
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25
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Association between oxytocin and receptor genetic polymorphisms and aggression in a northern Chinese Han population with alcohol dependence. Neurosci Lett 2016; 636:140-144. [PMID: 27818356 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol dependence (AD) is a common chronic brain disorder precipitated by complex interactions between biological, genetic, and environmental risk factors. Aggression often occurs in the context of AD. Previous studies have shown that Oxytocin (OXT) and OXT receptor (OXTR) are involved in the regulation of aggression. The present study investigated whether variations and interactions of OXT and OXTR genes were associated with AD-related aggression in a genetically homogeneous northern Chinese Han population. METHODS Three hundred and twenty-four male AD patients and 510 male healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. A Chinese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was used as a subjective measurement of aggressive behavior. Three variations, rs2254298, rs53576, and rs6133010 were genotyped using TaqMan and ligase detection reaction for all subjects. Generalized Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction was used to detect interactions between genetic attributes and environmental attributes. RESULTS The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of rs6133010 were significantly different between AD patients and HCs (p<0.001). In HCs, the effect of genotype GG of rs53576 on hostility aggression was significantly stronger than that of genotype AA and AG (p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively), and the subjects with the interaction combination of rs6133010AA×rs2254298GG×rs53576AG exhibited significant effect on physical aggression (p=0.0107). CONCLUSION The present study found that rs6133010 in the OXT gene is associated with AD in the northern Chinese Han population. The polymorphisms of OXT/R may play a key role in the susceptibility of AD-related aggression.
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Coria-Avila GA, Herrera-Covarrubias D, Ismail N, Pfaus JG. The role of orgasm in the development and shaping of partner preferences. SOCIOAFFECTIVE NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 6:31815. [PMID: 27799080 PMCID: PMC5087697 DOI: 10.3402/snp.v6.31815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of orgasm on the development and shaping of partner preferences may involve a catalysis of the neurochemical mechanisms of bonding. Therefore, understanding such process is relevant for neuroscience and psychology. METHODS A systematic review was carried out using the terms Orgasm, Sexual Reward, Partner Preference, Pair Bonding, Brain, Learning, Sex, Copulation. RESULTS In humans, concentrations of arousing neurotransmitters and potential bonding neurotransmitters increase during orgasm in the cerebrospinal fluid and the bloodstream. Similarly, studies in animals indicate that those neurotransmitters (noradrenaline, oxytocin, prolactin) and others (e.g. dopamine, opioids, serotonin) modulate the appetitive and consummatory phases of sexual behavior and reward. This suggests a link between the experience of orgasm/sexual reward and the neurochemical mechanisms of pair bonding. Orgasm/reward functions as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Some areas in the nervous system function as UCS-detection centers, which become activated during orgasm. Partner-related cues function as conditioned stimuli (CS) and are processed in CS-detector centers. CONCLUSIONS Throughout the article, we discuss how UCS- and CS-detection centers must interact to facilitate memory consolidation and produce recognition and motivation during future social encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deissy Herrera-Covarrubias
- Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - James G Pfaus
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
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27
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Abstract
The posterior pituitary gland secretes oxytocin and vasopressin (the antidiuretic hormone) into the blood system. Oxytocin is required for normal delivery of the young and for delivery of milk to the young during lactation. Vasopressin increases water reabsorption in the kidney to maintain body fluid balance and causes vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure. Oxytocin and vasopressin secretion occurs from the axon terminals of magnocellular neurons whose cell bodies are principally found in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. The physiological functions of oxytocin and vasopressin depend on their secretion, which is principally determined by the pattern of action potentials initiated at the cell bodies. Appropriate secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin to meet the challenges of changing physiological conditions relies mainly on integration of afferent information on reproductive, osmotic, and cardiovascular status with local regulation of magnocellular neurons by glia as well as intrinsic regulation by the magnocellular neurons themselves. This review focuses on the control of magnocellular neuron activity with a particular emphasis on their regulation by reproductive function, body fluid balance, and cardiovascular status. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1701-1741, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin H Brown
- Brain Health Research Centre, Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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28
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Hoffman KL. New dimensions in the use of rodent behavioral tests for novel drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:343-53. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2016.1153624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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29
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Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin plays a role in reward, stress, social affiliation, learning, and memory processes. As such, there is increasing interest in oxytocin as a potential treatment for addictions. The endogenous oxytocin system is itself altered by short- or long-term exposure to drugs of abuse. A large number of preclinical studies in rodents have investigated the effect of oxytocin administration on various drug-induced behaviors to determine whether oxytocin can reverse the neuroadaptations occurring with repeated drug and alcohol use. In addition, the mechanisms by which oxytocin acts to modify the behavioral response to drugs of abuse are beginning to be understood. More recently, a few small clinical studies have been conducted in cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol dependence. This review summarizes the preclinical as well as clinical literature to date on the oxytocin system and its relevance to drug and alcohol addiction.
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Positive reinforcing effect of oxytocin microinjection in the rat central nucleus of amygdala. Behav Brain Res 2016; 296:279-285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Moaddab M, Hyland BI, Brown CH. Oxytocin excites nucleus accumbens shell neurons in vivo. Mol Cell Neurosci 2015; 68:323-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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Vey LT, Rosa HZ, Barcelos RCS, Segat HJ, Metz VG, Dias VT, Duarte T, Duarte MMMF, Burger ME. Stress during the gestational period modifies pups' emotionality parameters and favors preference for morphine in adolescent rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 296:408-417. [PMID: 26300452 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental animal studies have shown that early life periods are highly vulnerable to environmental factors, which may exert prolonged impact on HPA axis function and on subsequent neurochemical and behavioral responses in adulthood. Here we evaluated the influence of environmental stressful situations in two different early life stages on stress-related behaviors, and morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP), which is indicative of addiction. While in the gestational stress (Gest-S) dams were exposed to daily sessions of chronic mild stress (CMS) for 2 weeks, in the postnatal stress (post-NS) the offspring were exposed daily to neonatal isolation from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 9 for 60 min. Animals exposed to post-NS showed lesser anxiety in different behavioral paradigms (elevated plus maze-EPM and defensive burying test-DBT) as well as increased exploratory behavior (open-field task-OFT), and no preference for morphine in CPP. In contrast, animals exposed to Gest-S showed increased corticosterone plasma levels together with anxiety symptoms and greater preference for morphine following three days of drug withdrawal. Our findings indicate that the gestational period is critical for stress, whose effects may be manifest throughout life. On the other hand, post-NS can trigger neuroadaptations able to overcome emotional consequences of early life. We hypothesized that Gest-S is able to modify responses to opioids along adulthood, which may facilitate development of addiction to these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Taschetto Vey
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Higor Zuquetto Rosa
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Raquel Cristine Silva Barcelos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Hecson Jesser Segat
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Vinícia Garzella Metz
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Verônica Tironi Dias
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Thiago Duarte
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Marta M M F Duarte
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marilise Escobar Burger
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 18, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação em Farmacologia UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFSM, Av. Roraima, 1000, Prédio 21, Cidade Universitária, CEP 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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