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Scheggi S, Concas L, Corsi S, Carta M, Melis M, Frau R. Expanding the therapeutic potential of neuro(active)steroids: a promising strategy for hyperdopaminergic behavioral phenotypes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105842. [PMID: 39103066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Imbalances in dopamine activity significantly contribute to the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction, ADHD, schizophrenia, impulse control disorders, and Parkinson's Disease. Neuro(active)steroids, comprising endogenous steroids that finely modulate neuronal activity, are considered crucial regulators of brain function and behavior, with implications in various physiological processes and pathological conditions. Specifically, subclasses of Neuro(active)steroids belonging to the 5α reductase pathway are prominently involved in brain disorders characterized by dopaminergic signaling imbalances. This review highlights the neuromodulatory effects of Neuro(active)steroids on the dopamine system and related aberrant behavioral phenotypes. We critically appraise the role of pregnenolone, progesterone, and allopregnanolone on dopamine signaling. Additionally, we discuss the impact of pharmacological interventions targeting 5α reductase activity in neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by excessive activation of the dopaminergic system, ranging from psychotic (endo)phenotypes and motor complications to decision-making problems and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Corsi
- Dept. of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Manolo Carta
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Dept. Of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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Iacino MC, Stowe TA, Pitts EG, Sexton LL, Macauley SL, Ferris MJ. A unique multi-synaptic mechanism involving acetylcholine and GABA regulates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens through early adolescence in male rats. eLife 2024; 13:e62999. [PMID: 38860652 PMCID: PMC11281780 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is characterized by changes in reward-related behaviors, social behaviors, and decision-making. These behavioral changes are necessary for the transition into adulthood, but they also increase vulnerability to the development of a range of psychiatric disorders. Major reorganization of the dopamine system during adolescence is thought to underlie, in part, the associated behavioral changes and increased vulnerability. Here, we utilized fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis to examine differences in dopamine release as well as mechanisms that underlie differential dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core of adolescent (P28-35) and adult (P70-90) male rats. We show baseline differences between adult and adolescent-stimulated dopamine release in male rats, as well as opposite effects of the α6 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on modulating dopamine release. The α6-selective blocker, α-conotoxin, increased dopamine release in early adolescent rats, but decreased dopamine release in rats beginning in middle adolescence and extending through adulthood. Strikingly, blockade of GABAA and GABAB receptors revealed that this α6-mediated increase in adolescent dopamine release requires NAc GABA signaling to occur. We confirm the role of α6 nAChRs and GABA in mediating this effect in vivo using microdialysis. Results herein suggest a multisynaptic mechanism potentially unique to the period of development that includes early adolescence, involving acetylcholine acting at α6-containing nAChRs to drive inhibitory GABA tone on dopamine release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody C Iacino
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
| | - Taylor A Stowe
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
| | - Elizabeth G Pitts
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
| | - Lacey L Sexton
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
| | - Shannon L Macauley
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of MedicineLexingtonUnited States
| | - Mark J Ferris
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUnited States
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Holly EN, Galanaugh J, Fuccillo MV. Local regulation of striatal dopamine: A diversity of circuit mechanisms for a diversity of behavioral functions? Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 85:102839. [PMID: 38309106 PMCID: PMC11066854 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Striatal dopamine governs a wide range of behavioral functions, yet local dopamine concentrations can be dissociated from somatic activity. Here, we discuss how dopamine's diverse roles in behavior may be driven by local circuit mechanisms shaping dopamine release. We first look at historical and recent work demonstrating that striatal circuits interact with dopaminergic terminals to either initiate the release of dopamine or modulate the release of dopamine initiated by spiking in midbrain dopamine neurons, with particular attention to GABAergic and cholinergic local circuit mechanisms. Then we discuss some of the first in vivo studies of acetylcholine-dopamine interactions in striatum and broadly discuss necessary future work in understanding the roles of midbrain versus striatal dopamine regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N Holly
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 197 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. https://twitter.com/ENHolly
| | - Jamie Galanaugh
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. https://twitter.com/jamie_galanaugh
| | - Marc V Fuccillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 415 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Hwang SB, Lee JG, Lee Y, Kook WA, Kim SK, Donio AL, Min HW, Kim YJ, Lee SY, Jang CG. Adinazolam, a Benzodiazepine-Type New Psychoactive Substance, Has Abuse Potential and Induces Withdrawal Symptoms in Rodents. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3487-3498. [PMID: 37695876 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adinazolam (ADZ) is a benzodiazepine-type new psychoactive substance (NPS) with anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and antidepressant effects. High ADZ doses have been reported to impair psychomotor performance and memory; however, the abuse potential and drug dependence of ADZ have not yet been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated whether ADZ has abuse potential and leads to drug dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The intravenous self-administration (IVSA) test revealed that ADZ (0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 mg/kg/infusion) was self-administered significantly above vehicle levels, suggesting the reinforcing effect of ADZ. Furthermore, we revealed that treatment discontinuation following chronic ADZ administration (3 and 6 mg/kg) caused several somatic withdrawal symptoms in mice, including body tremor. Moreover, it induced motivational withdrawal signs, such as anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and memory deficits in the Y-maze test. After the IVSA test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that ADZ administration significantly increased the dopamine contents in the thalamus, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and ventral tegmental area (VTA). This finding was also supported by the results of the Western blot. Taken together, our results suggest that ADZ has abuse potential and can lead to drug dependence and withdrawal syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Bin Hwang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wun-A Kook
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Audrey Lynn Donio
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Won Min
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Zandstra MG, Meijs H, Somers M, Stam CJ, de Wilde B, van Hecke J, Niemegeers P, Luykx JJ, van Dellen E. Associations between psychotropic drugs and rsEEG connectivity and network characteristics: a cross-sectional study in hospital-admitted psychiatric patients. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1176825. [PMID: 37781262 PMCID: PMC10541222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1176825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Resting-state EEG (rsEEG) characteristics, such as functional connectivity and network topology, are studied as potential biomarkers in psychiatric research. However, the presence of psychopharmacological treatment in study participants poses a potential confounding factor in biomarker research. To address this concern, our study aims to explore the impact of both single and multi-class psychotropic treatments on aforementioned rsEEG characteristics in a psychiatric population. Methods RsEEG was analyzed in a real-world cross-sectional sample of 900 hospital-admitted psychiatric patients. Patients were clustered into eight psychopharmacological groups: unmedicated, single-class treatment with antipsychotics (AP), antidepressants (AD) or benzodiazepines (BDZ), and multi-class combinations of these treatments. To assess the associations between psychotropic treatments and the macroscale rsEEG characteristics mentioned above, we employed a general linear model with post-hoc tests. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation analyses were performed to explore potential dosage effects. Results Compared to unmedicated patients, single-class use of AD was associated with lower functional connectivity in the delta band, while AP was associated with lower functional connectivity in both the delta and alpha bands. Single-class use of BDZ was associated with widespread rsEEG differences, including lower functional connectivity across frequency bands and a different network topology within the beta band relative to unmedicated patients. All of the multi-class groups showed associations with functional connectivity or topology measures, but effects were most pronounced for concomitant use of all three classes of psychotropics. Differences were not only observed in comparison with unmedicated patients, but were also evident in comparisons between single-class, multi-class, and single/multi-class groups. Importantly, multi-class associations with rsEEG characteristics were found even in the absence of single-class associations, suggesting potential cumulative or interaction effects of different classes of psychotropics. Dosage correlations were only found for antipsychotics. Conclusion Our exploratory, cross-sectional study suggests small but significant associations between single and multi-class use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines and macroscale rsEEG functional connectivity and network topology characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of considering the effects of specific psychotropics, as well as their interactions, when investigating rsEEG biomarkers in a medicated psychiatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa G. Zandstra
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hannah Meijs
- Research Institute Brainclinics, Brainclinics Foundation, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Metten Somers
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J. Stam
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bieke de Wilde
- Department of Psychiatry, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan van Hecke
- Department of Psychiatry, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Niemegeers
- Department of Psychiatry, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jurjen J. Luykx
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Research Institute Brainclinics, Brainclinics Foundation, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Edwin van Dellen
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis (UZ), Brussels, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Cardona-Acosta AM, Sial OK, Parise LF, Gnecco T, Enriquez Marti G, Bolaños-Guzmán CA. Alprazolam exposure during adolescence induces long-lasting dysregulation in reward sensitivity to morphine and second messenger signaling in the VTA-NAc pathway. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10872. [PMID: 37407659 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37696-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased use of benzodiazepines in adolescents have been reported, with alprazolam (ALP) being the most abused. Drug abuse during adolescence can induce changes with lasting consequences. This study investigated the neurobiological consequences of ALP exposure during adolescence in C57BL/6J male mice. Mice received ALP (0, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) once/daily (postnatal day 35-49). Changes in responsiveness to morphine (2.5, 5.0 mg/kg), using the conditioned place preference paradigm, were assessed 24-h and 1-month after ALP exposure. In a separate experiment, mice received ALP (0, 0.5 mg/kg) and then sacrificed 24-h or 1-month after treatment to assess levels of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) gene expression, protein phosphorylation, and downstream targets (CREB, AKT) within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). ALP-pretreated mice developed a strong preference to the compartment(s) paired with a subthreshold dose (2.5 mg/kg) of MOR short-term, and this effect was also present in the 1-month group. Adolescent ALP exposure resulted in dysregulation of ERK-signaling within the VTA-NAc pathway 24-h and 1-month after ALP exposure. Results indicate ALP exposure during adolescence potentiates the rewarding properties of MOR and induces persistent changes in ERK-signaling within the VTA-NAc pathway, a brain circuit highly implicated in the regulation of both drug reward and mood- related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Cardona-Acosta
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Omar K Sial
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Lyonna F Parise
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tamara Gnecco
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Giselle Enriquez Marti
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Carlos A Bolaños-Guzmán
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Rodríguez-Manzo G, Canseco-Alba A. The endogenous cannabinoid system modulates male sexual behavior expression. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1198077. [PMID: 37324524 PMCID: PMC10264596 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1198077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a key neuromodulatory role in the brain. Main features of endocannabinoids (eCBs) are that they are produced on demand, in response to enhanced neuronal activity, act as retrograde messengers, and participate in the induction of brain plasticity processes. Sexual activity is a motivated behavior and therefore, the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MSL) plays a central role in the control of its appetitive component (drive to engage in copulation). In turn, copulation activates mesolimbic dopamine neurons and repeated copulation produces the continuous activation of the MSL system. Sustained sexual activity leads to the achievement of sexual satiety, which main outcome is the transient transformation of sexually active male rats into sexually inhibited animals. Thus, 24 h after copulation to satiety, the sexually satiated males exhibit a decreased sexual motivation and do not respond to the presence of a sexually receptive female with sexual activity. Interestingly, blockade of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) during the copulation to satiety process, interferes with both the appearance of the long-lasting sexual inhibition and the decrease in sexual motivation in the sexually satiated males. This effect is reproduced when blocking CB1R at the ventral tegmental area evidencing the involvement of MSL eCBs in the induction of this sexual inhibitory state. Here we review the available evidence regarding the effects of cannabinoids, including exogenously administered eCBs, on male rodent sexual behavior of both sexually competent animals and rat sub populations spontaneously showing copulatory deficits, considered useful to model some human male sexual dysfunctions. We also include the effects of cannabis preparations on human male sexual activity. Finally, we review the role played by the ECS in the control of male sexual behavior expression with the aid of the sexual satiety phenomenon. Sexual satiety appears as a suitable model for the study of the relationship between eCB signaling, MSL synaptic plasticity and the modulation of male sexual motivation under physiological conditions that might be useful for the understanding of MSL functioning, eCB-mediated plasticity and their relationship with motivational processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rodríguez-Manzo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav-Sede Sur), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana Canseco-Alba
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de la Formación Reticular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Jovita-Farias C, Follett ME, Dias-Junior BC, Serra YA, Kisaki ND, Barros-Santos T, de Jesus NMS, Rodrigues IRS, Macedo LEL, Malpezzi-Marinho ELA, Oliveira-Lima AJ, Marinho EAV, Rowlett JK, Berro LF. Individual differences in the effects of midazolam on anxiety-like behavior, learning, reward, and choice behavior in male mice. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1122568. [PMID: 36937711 PMCID: PMC10021295 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1122568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavioral effects of the benzodiazepine midazolam in male mice, in models of anxiolysis, learning, and abuse-related effects. Methods In a first set of experiments, male Swiss mice were submitted to the training session of a discriminative avoidance (DA) task on the elevated plus maze to evaluate anxiety-like behavior and learning after vehicle or midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.) administration. The same animals were submitted to a conditioned place preference (CPP) protocol with midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.). In a second experiment, outbred (Swiss) and inbred (C57BL/6) male mice were submitted to a two-bottle choice (TBC) oral midazolam drinking procedure. Animals were exposed to one sucrose bottle and one midazolam (0.008, 0.016 or 0.032 mg/ml) plus sucrose bottle. Results Midazolam (1 and 2 mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like effects, and all doses of midazolam prevented animals from learning to avoid the aversive closed arm during the DA training session. Assessment of midazolam reward via the CPP procedure and choice via the TBC procedure showed notable variability. A 2-step cluster analysis for the CPP data showed that midazolam data were well-fitted to 2 separate clusters (preference vs. aversion), albeit with the majority of mice showing preference (75%). Correlational and regression analyses showed no relationship between midazolam reward and anxiolytic-like effects (time spent in the open arms in the DA test) or learning/memory. Two-step cluster analysis of the TBC data also demonstrated that, regardless of strain, mice overall fell into two clusters identified as midazolam-preferring or midazolam-avoiding groups. Both midazolam preference and avoidance were concentration-dependent in a subset of mice. Discussion Our findings show that midazolam preference is a multifactorial behavior, and is not dependent solely on the emergence of therapeutic (anxiolytic-like) effects, learning impairments, or on genetic factors (inbred vs. outbred animals).
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Jovita-Farias
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Meagan E. Follett
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Behaim C. Dias-Junior
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Yasmim A. Serra
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Natali D. Kisaki
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Thaísa Barros-Santos
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Isa R. S. Rodrigues
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Larissa E. L. Macedo
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - James K. Rowlett
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Lais F. Berro
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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Samson KR, Xu W, Kortagere S, España RA. Intermittent access to oxycodone decreases dopamine uptake in the nucleus accumbens core during abstinence. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13241. [PMID: 36301217 PMCID: PMC10262085 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
A major obstacle in treating opioid use disorder is the persistence of drug seeking or craving during periods of abstinence, which is believed to contribute to relapse. Dopamine transmission in the mesolimbic pathway is posited to contribute to opioid reinforcement, but the processes by which dopamine influences drug seeking have not been completely elucidated. To examine whether opioid seeking during abstinence is associated with alterations in dopamine transmission, female and male rats self-administered oxycodone under an intermittent access schedule of reinforcement. Following self-administration, rats underwent a forced abstinence period, and cue-induced seeking tests were conducted to assess oxycodone seeking. One day following the final seeking test, rats were sacrificed to perform ex vivo fast scan cyclic voltammetry and western blotting in the nucleus accumbens. Rats displayed reduced dopamine uptake rate on abstinence day 2 and abstinence day 15, compared to oxycodone-naïve rats. Further, on abstinence day 15, rats had reduced phosphorylation of the dopamine transporter. Additionally, local application of oxycodone to the nucleus accumbens reduced dopamine uptake in oxycodone-naïve rats and in rats during oxycodone abstinence, on abstinence day 2 and abstinence day 15. These observations suggest that abstinence from oxycodone results in dysfunctional dopamine transmission, which may contribute to sustained oxycodone seeking during abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R. Samson
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
| | - Wei Xu
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Sandhya Kortagere
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Rodrigo A. España
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
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Marciniak E, Młotkowska P, Roszkowicz-Ostrowska K, Ciska E, Misztal T. Involvement of neurosteroids in the control of prolactin secretion in sheep under basal, stressful and pregnancy conditions. Theriogenology 2022; 190:73-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Melani R, Tritsch NX. Inhibitory co-transmission from midbrain dopamine neurons relies on presynaptic GABA uptake. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110716. [PMID: 35443174 PMCID: PMC9097974 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA)-releasing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNcDA) inhibit target cells in the striatum through postsynaptic activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for GABAergic signaling remain unclear, as SNcDA neurons lack enzymes typically required to produce GABA or package it into synaptic vesicles. Here, we show that aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a1 (Aldh1a1), an enzyme proposed to function as a GABA synthetic enzyme in SNcDA neurons, does not produce GABA for synaptic transmission. Instead, we demonstrate that SNcDA axons obtain GABA exclusively through presynaptic uptake using the membrane GABA transporter Gat1 (encoded by Slc6a1). GABA is then packaged for vesicular release using the vesicular monoamine transporter Vmat2. Our data therefore show that presynaptic transmitter recycling can substitute for de novo GABA synthesis and that Vmat2 contributes to vesicular GABA transport, expanding the range of molecular mechanisms available to neurons to support inhibitory synaptic communication. Melani and Tritsch demonstrate that inhibitory co-transmission from midbrain dopaminergic neurons does not depend on cell-autonomous GABA synthesis but instead on presynaptic import from the extracellular space through the membrane transporter Gat1 and that GABA loading into synaptic vesicles relies on the vesicular monoamine transporter Vmat2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Melani
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nicolas X Tritsch
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Fresco Institute for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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12
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Almey A, Milner TA, Brake WG. Estrogen receptors observed at extranuclear neuronal sites and in glia in the nucleus accumbens core and shell of the female rat: Evidence for localization to catecholaminergic and GABAergic neurons. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2056-2072. [PMID: 35397175 PMCID: PMC9167786 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25320] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens affect dopamine-dependent diseases/behavior and have rapid effects on dopamine release and receptor availability in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Low levels of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ are seen in the NAc, which cannot account for the rapid effects of estrogens in this region. G-protein coupled ER 1 (GPER1) is observed at low levels in the NAc shell, which also likely does not account for the array of estrogens' effects in this region. Prior studies demonstrated membrane-associated ERs in the dorsal striatum; these experiments extend those findings to the NAc core and shell. Single- and dual-immunolabeling electron microscopy determined whether ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are at extranuclear sites in the NAc core and shell and whether ERα and GPER1 were localized to catecholaminergic or γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons. All three ERs are observed, almost exclusively, at extranuclear sites in the NAc, and similarly distributed in the core and shell. ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are primarily in axons and axon terminals suggesting that estrogens affect transmission in the NAc via presynaptic mechanisms. About 10% of these receptors are found on glia. A small proportion of ERα and GPER1 are localized to catecholaminergic terminals, suggesting that binding at these ERs alters release of catecholamines, including dopamine. A larger proportion of ERα and GPER1 are localized to GABAergic dendrites and terminals, suggesting that estrogens alter GABAergic transmission to indirectly affect dopamine transmission in the NAc. Thus, the localization of ERs could account for the rapid effects of estrogen in the NAc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Almey
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA.,Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
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13
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Nicolas C, Zlebnik NE, Farokhnia M, Leggio L, Ikemoto S, Shaham Y. Sex Differences in Opioid and Psychostimulant Craving and Relapse: A Critical Review. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:119-140. [PMID: 34987089 PMCID: PMC11060335 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A widely held dogma in the preclinical addiction field is that females are more vulnerable than males to drug craving and relapse. Here, we first review clinical studies on sex differences in psychostimulant and opioid craving and relapse. Next, we review preclinical studies on sex differences in psychostimulant and opioid reinstatement of drug seeking after extinction of drug self-administration, and incubation of drug craving (time-dependent increase in drug seeking during abstinence). We also discuss ovarian hormones' role in relapse and craving in humans and animal models and speculate on brain mechanisms underlying their role in cocaine craving and relapse in rodent models. Finally, we discuss imaging studies on brain responses to cocaine cues and stress in men and women.The results of the clinical studies reviewed do not appear to support the notion that women are more vulnerable to psychostimulant and opioid craving and relapse. However, this conclusion is tentative because most of the studies reviewed were correlational, not sufficiently powered, and not a priori designed to detect sex differences. Additionally, imaging studies suggest sex differences in brain responses to cocaine cues and stress. The results of the preclinical studies reviewed provide evidence for sex differences in stress-induced reinstatement and incubation of cocaine craving but not cue- or cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. These sex differences are modulated in part by ovarian hormones. In contrast, the available data do not support the notion of sex differences in craving and relapse/reinstatement for methamphetamine or opioids in rodent models. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This systematic review summarizes clinical and preclinical studies on sex differences in psychostimulant and opioid craving and relapse. Results of the clinical studies reviewed do not appear to support the notion that women are more vulnerable to psychostimulant and opioid craving and relapse. Results of preclinical studies reviewed provide evidence for sex differences in reinstatement and incubation of cocaine seeking but not for reinstatement or incubation of methamphetamine or opioid seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Nicolas
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
| | - Natalie E Zlebnik
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
| | - Satoshi Ikemoto
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France (C.N.); Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Present address: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA (N.E.Z.); Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD (M.F., L.L., S.I., Y.S.); and Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.F., L.L.)
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14
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Holly EN, Davatolhagh MF, España RA, Fuccillo MV. Striatal low-threshold spiking interneurons locally gate dopamine. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4139-4147.e6. [PMID: 34302742 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) is a central hub supporting goal-directed learning and motor performance. Recent evidence has revealed unexpected roles for local inhibitory GABAergic networks in modulating striatal output and behavior.1 The sparse low-threshold spiking interneuron subtype (LTSI), which exhibits robust reward-circumscribed population activity, is a bidirectional regulator of initial goal-directed learning.2 Striatal dopamine signaling is a central reward-related neuromodulatory system mediating goal-directed action and performance, serving as a teaching signal,3 facilitating synaptic plasticity,4 and invigorating motor behaviors.5 Given the dynamic modulation of LTSIs during goal-directed behavior, we hypothesized that they could provide a novel GABAergic mechanism of local striatal dopaminergic regulation to shape early learning. We provide anatomical evidence for close proximation of LTSI terminals and dopaminergic processes in striatum, suggesting that LTSIs directly control dopaminergic axon activity. Using in vitro fast scan cyclic voltammetry, we demonstrate that LTSIs directly attenuate optogenetically evoked dopamine via GABAB receptor signaling. In vivo, GRABDA dopamine sensor imaging shows that LTSIs strongly modulate striatal dopamine dynamics during operant learning, while pharmacological stabilization of dopamine via intra-striatal aripiprazole microinjection suppresses the effects of LTSI inhibition on learning. Together, these results uncover an unexpected function for LTSIs in gating striatal dopamine to facilitate goal-directed learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N Holly
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - M Felicia Davatolhagh
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rodrigo A España
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marc V Fuccillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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15
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Neuroplasticity and Multilevel System of Connections Determine the Integrative Role of Nucleus Accumbens in the Brain Reward System. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189806. [PMID: 34575969 PMCID: PMC8471564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a significant role not only in the physiological processes associated with reward and satisfaction but also in many diseases of the central nervous system. Summary of the current state of knowledge on the morphological and functional basis of such a diverse function of this structure may be a good starting point for further basic and clinical research. The NAc is a part of the brain reward system (BRS) characterized by multilevel organization, extensive connections, and several neurotransmitter systems. The unique role of NAc in the BRS is a result of: (1) hierarchical connections with the other brain areas, (2) a well-developed morphological and functional plasticity regulating short- and long-term synaptic potentiation and signalling pathways, (3) cooperation among several neurotransmitter systems, and (4) a supportive role of neuroglia involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Understanding the complex function of NAc is possible by combining the results of morphological studies with molecular, genetic, and behavioral data. In this review, we present the current views on the NAc function in physiological conditions, emphasizing the role of its connections, neuroplasticity processes, and neurotransmitter systems.
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16
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Covey DP, Yocky AG. Endocannabinoid Modulation of Nucleus Accumbens Microcircuitry and Terminal Dopamine Release. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:734975. [PMID: 34497503 PMCID: PMC8419321 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.734975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is located in the ventromedial portion of the striatum and is vital to valence-based predictions and motivated action. The neural architecture of the NAc allows for complex interactions between various cell types that filter incoming and outgoing information. Dopamine (DA) input serves a crucial role in modulating NAc function, but the mechanisms that control terminal DA release and its effect on NAc neurons continues to be elucidated. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has emerged as an important filter of neural circuitry within the NAc that locally shapes terminal DA release through various cell type- and site-specific actions. Here, we will discuss how eCB signaling modulates terminal DA release by shaping the activity patterns of NAc neurons and their afferent inputs. We then discuss recent technological advancements that are capable of dissecting how distinct cell types, their afferent projections, and local neuromodulators influence valence-based actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan P Covey
- Department of Neuroscience, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Alyssa G Yocky
- Department of Neuroscience, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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17
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Sanchez WN, Pochapski JA, Jessen LF, Ellenberger M, Schwarting RK, Robinson DL, Andreatini R, Da Cunha C. Diazepam attenuates the effects of cocaine on locomotion, 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations and phasic dopamine in the nucleus accumbens of rats. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1565-1577. [PMID: 34389975 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there is no effective drug to treat cocaine-use disorder, which affects millions of people worldwide. Benzodiazepines are potential therapeutic candidates, as microdialysis and voltammetry studies have shown that they can decrease dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens of rodents and block the increase in dopamine levels and appetitive 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) induced by amphetamine in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Here, we tested whether administration of 2.5-mg·kg-1 diazepam (i.p.) in adult male rats could block the effects of 20-mg·kg-1 cocaine (i.p.) on electrically evoked phasic dopamine signals in the nucleus accumbens measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, as well as 50-kHz USV and locomotor activity. KEY RESULTS Cocaine injection increased evoked dopamine signals up to threefold within 5 min, and the increase was significantly higher than baseline for at least 75 min. The injection of diazepam, 5 min after cocaine, attenuated the cocaine effect by nearly 50%, and this attenuation was maintained for at least 40 min. Behaviourally, cocaine increased the number of appetitive 50-kHz calls by about 12-fold. Diazepam significantly blocked this effect for the entire duration of the session. Also, cocaine-treated rats were more active than controls and diazepam significantly attenuated cocaine-induced locomotion, by up to 50%. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that the neurochemical and psychostimulant effects of cocaine can be mitigated by diazepam.
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Affiliation(s)
- William N Sanchez
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Sistema Nervoso Central, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jose A Pochapski
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Sistema Nervoso Central, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Leticia F Jessen
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Sistema Nervoso Central, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Marek Ellenberger
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Donita L Robinson
- Department of Psychiatry and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Roberto Andreatini
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Sistema Nervoso Central, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Claudio Da Cunha
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Sistema Nervoso Central, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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18
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Hamid AA, Frank MJ, Moore CI. Wave-like dopamine dynamics as a mechanism for spatiotemporal credit assignment. Cell 2021; 184:2733-2749.e16. [PMID: 33861952 PMCID: PMC8122079 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significant evidence supports the view that dopamine shapes learning by encoding reward prediction errors. However, it is unknown whether striatal targets receive tailored dopamine dynamics based on regional functional specialization. Here, we report wave-like spatiotemporal activity patterns in dopamine axons and release across the dorsal striatum. These waves switch between activational motifs and organize dopamine transients into localized clusters within functionally related striatal subregions. Notably, wave trajectories were tailored to task demands, propagating from dorsomedial to dorsolateral striatum when rewards are contingent on animal behavior and in the opponent direction when rewards are independent of behavioral responses. We propose a computational architecture in which striatal dopamine waves are sculpted by inference about agency and provide a mechanism to direct credit assignment to specialized striatal subregions. Supporting model predictions, dorsomedial dopamine activity during reward-pursuit signaled the extent of instrumental control and interacted with reward waves to predict future behavioral adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif A Hamid
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Michael J Frank
- Department of Cognitive Linguistics & Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Christopher I Moore
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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19
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Ferdinand JM, Peters KZ, Yavas E, Young AMJ. Modulation of stimulated dopamine release in rat nucleus accumbens shell by GABA in vitro: Effect of sub-chronic phencyclidine pretreatment. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1885-1901. [PMID: 33848365 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine signaling in nucleus accumbens (NAc) is modulated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acting through GABA-A and GABA-B receptors: dysregulation of GABAergic control of dopamine function may be important in behavioral deficits in schizophrenia. We investigated the effect of GABA-A (muscimol) and GABA-B (baclofen) receptor agonists on electrically stimulated dopamine release. Furthermore, we explored whether drug-induced changes were disrupted by pretreatment with phencyclidine, which provides a well-validated model of schizophrenia. Using brain slices from female rats, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used to measure electrically stimulated dopamine release in NAc shell. Both muscimol and baclofen caused concentration-dependent attenuation of evoked dopamine release: neither effect was changed by dihydro-β-erythroidine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, or the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), precluding indirect mechanisms using these transmitter systems in the GABAergic actions. In slices taken from rats pretreated with phencyclidine, the attenuation of evoked dopamine release by baclofen was abolished, but the attenuation by muscimol was unaffected. Since phencyclidine pretreatment was followed by drug-free washout period of at least a week, the drug was not present during recording. Therefore, disruption of GABA-B modulation of dopamine is due to long-term functional changes resulting from the treatment, rather than transient changes due to the drug's presence at test. This enduring dysregulation of GABA-B modulation of accumbal dopamine release provides a plausible mechanism through which GABA dysfunction influences accumbal dopamine leading to behavioral changes seen in schizophrenia and may provide a route for novel therapeutic strategies to treat the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Z Peters
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Ersin Yavas
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Andrew M J Young
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
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20
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Roberts BM, Lopes EF, Cragg SJ. Axonal Modulation of Striatal Dopamine Release by Local γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Signalling. Cells 2021; 10:709. [PMID: 33806845 PMCID: PMC8004767 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Striatal dopamine (DA) release is critical for motivated actions and reinforcement learning, and is locally influenced at the level of DA axons by other striatal neurotransmitters. Here, we review a wealth of historical and more recently refined evidence indicating that DA output is inhibited by striatal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acting via GABAA and GABAB receptors. We review evidence supporting the localisation of GABAA and GABAB receptors to DA axons, as well as the identity of the striatal sources of GABA that likely contribute to GABAergic modulation of DA release. We discuss emerging data outlining the mechanisms through which GABAA and GABAB receptors inhibit the amplitude as well as modulate the short-term plasticity of DA release. Furthermore, we highlight recent data showing that DA release is governed by plasma membrane GABA uptake transporters on striatal astrocytes, which determine ambient striatal GABA tone and, by extension, the tonic inhibition of DA release. Finally, we discuss how the regulation of striatal GABA-DA interactions represents an axis for dysfunction in psychomotor disorders associated with dysregulated DA signalling, including Parkinson's disease, and could be a novel therapeutic target for drugs to modify striatal DA output.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephanie J. Cragg
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
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21
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Zachry JE, Nolan SO, Brady LJ, Kelly SJ, Siciliano CA, Calipari ES. Sex differences in dopamine release regulation in the striatum. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:491-499. [PMID: 33318634 PMCID: PMC8027008 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00915-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine system-which originates in the ventral tegmental area and projects to the striatum-has been shown to be involved in the expression of sex-specific behavior and is thought to be a critical mediator of many psychiatric diseases. While substantial work has focused on sex differences in the anatomy of dopamine neurons and relative dopamine levels between males and females, an important characteristic of dopamine release from axon terminals in the striatum is that it is rapidly modulated by local regulatory mechanisms independent of somatic activity. These processes can occur via homosynaptic mechanisms-such as presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and dopamine transporters-as well as heterosynaptic mechanisms, such as retrograde signaling from postsynaptic cholinergic and GABAergic systems, among others. These regulators serve as potential targets for the expression of sex differences in dopamine regulation in both ovarian hormone-dependent and independent fashions. This review describes how sex differences in microcircuit regulatory mechanisms can alter dopamine dynamics between males and females. We then describe what is known about the hormonal mechanisms controlling/regulating these processes. Finally, we highlight the missing gaps in our knowledge of these systems in females. Together, a more comprehensive and mechanistic understanding of how sex differences in dopamine function manifest will be particularly important in developing evidence-based therapeutics that target this system and show efficacy in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Zachry
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Suzanne O. Nolan
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Lillian J. Brady
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Shannon J. Kelly
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Cody A. Siciliano
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Erin S. Calipari
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA ,grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
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22
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Qiao Y, Brodnik ZD, Zhao S, Trueblood CT, Li Z, Tom VJ, España RA, Hou S. Spinal Dopaminergic Mechanisms Regulating the Micturition Reflex in Male Rats with Complete Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:803-817. [PMID: 33297828 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes micturition dysfunction. We recently discovered a low level of spinally-derived dopamine (DA) that regulates recovered bladder and sphincter reflexes in SCI female rats. Considering substantial sexual dimorphic features in the lower urinary tract, it is unknown if the DA-ergic mechanisms act in the male. Histological analysis showed a similar distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ neurons in the lower cord of male rats and the number increased following thoracic SCI. Subsequently, focal electrical stimulation in slices obtained from L6/S1 spinal segments of SCI rats elicited detectable DA release with fast scan cyclic voltammetry. Using bladder cystometrogram and external urethral sphincter (EUS) electromyography in SCI male rats, intravenous (i.v.) administration of SCH 23390, a D1-like receptor (DR1) antagonist, induced significantly increased tonic EUS activity and a trend of increased residual volume, whereas activation of these receptors with SKF 38393 did not influence the reflex. Meanwhile, blocking spinal D2-like receptors (DR2) with remoxipride had no effect but stimulating these receptors with quinpirole elicited EUS bursting to increase voiding volume. Further, intrathecal delivery of SCH 23390 and quinpirole resulted in similar responses to those with i.v. delivery, respectively, which indicates the central action regardless of delivery route. In addition, metabolic cage assays showed that quinpirole increased the voiding frequency and total voiding volume in spontaneous micturition. Collectively, spinal DA-ergic machinery regulates recovered micturition reflex following SCI in male rats; spinal DR1 tonically suppress tonic EUS activity to enable voiding and activation of DR2 facilitates voiding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Qiao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Shandong University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Zachary D Brodnik
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shunyi Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cameron T Trueblood
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhenzhong Li
- Department of Anatomy, Shandong University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China
| | - Veronica J Tom
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rodrigo A España
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shaoping Hou
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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23
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Dornellas APS, Macedo GC, McFarland MH, Gómez-A A, O'Buckley TK, Da Cunha C, Morrow AL, Robinson DL. Allopregnanolone Decreases Evoked Dopamine Release Differently in Rats by Sex and Estrous Stage. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:608887. [PMID: 33519475 PMCID: PMC7840599 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.608887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesolimbic dopamine transmission is dysregulated in multiple psychiatric disorders, including addiction. Previous studies found that the endogenous GABAergic steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone) modulates dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. As allopregnanolone is a potent positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, and GABAA receptors can regulate dopamine release, we hypothesized that allopregnanolone would reduce phasic fluctuations in mesolimbic dopamine release that are important in learning and reward processing. We used fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in anesthetized female and male rats to measure dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens evoked by electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area, before and after administration of allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone (7.5–25 mg/kg, IP) reduced evoked dopamine release in both male and female rats, compared to β-cyclodextrin vehicle. In males, all doses of allopregnanolone decreased dopamine transmission, with stronger effects at 15 and 25 mg/kg allopregnanolone. In females, 15 and 25 mg/kg allopregnanolone reduced dopamine release, while 7.5 mg/kg allopregnanolone was no different from vehicle. Since allopregnanolone is derived from progesterone, we hypothesized that high endogenous progesterone levels would result in lower sensitivity to allopregnanolone. Consistent with this, females in proestrus (high progesterone levels) were less responsive to allopregnanolone than females in other estrous cycle stages. Furthermore, 30 mg/kg progesterone reduced evoked dopamine release in males, similar to allopregnanolone. Our findings confirm that allopregnanolone reduces evoked dopamine release in both male and female rats. Moreover, sex and the estrous cycle modulated this effect of allopregnanolone. These results extend our knowledge about the pharmacological effects of neurosteroids on dopamine transmission, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula S Dornellas
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Paraná, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Giovana C Macedo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Minna H McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Alexander Gómez-A
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Claudio Da Cunha
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Farmacologia do Paraná, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Donita L Robinson
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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24
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Kramer PF, Twedell EL, Shin JH, Zhang R, Khaliq ZM. Axonal mechanisms mediating γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABA-A) inhibition of striatal dopamine release. eLife 2020; 9:e55729. [PMID: 32870779 PMCID: PMC7462615 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Axons of dopaminergic neurons innervate the striatum where they contribute to movement and reinforcement learning. Past work has shown that striatal GABA tonically inhibits dopamine release, but whether GABA-A receptors directly modulate transmission or act indirectly through circuit elements is unresolved. Here, we use whole-cell and perforated-patch recordings to test for GABA-A receptors on the main dopaminergic neuron axons and branching processes within the striatum of adult mice. Application of GABA depolarized axons, but also decreased the amplitude of axonal spikes, limited propagation and reduced striatal dopamine release. The mechanism of inhibition involved sodium channel inactivation and shunting. Lastly, we show the positive allosteric modulator diazepam enhanced GABA-A currents on dopaminergic axons and directly inhibited release, but also likely acts by reducing excitation from cholinergic interneurons. Thus, we reveal the mechanisms of GABA-A receptor modulation of dopamine release and provide new insights into the actions of benzodiazepines within the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F Kramer
- Cellular Neurophysiology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Emily L Twedell
- Cellular Neurophysiology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jung Hoon Shin
- Laboratory on Neurobiology of Compulsive Behaviors, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Renshu Zhang
- Cellular Neurophysiology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Zayd M Khaliq
- Cellular Neurophysiology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
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25
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Nolan SO, Zachry JE, Johnson AR, Brady LJ, Siciliano CA, Calipari ES. Direct dopamine terminal regulation by local striatal microcircuitry. J Neurochem 2020; 155:475-493. [PMID: 32356315 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of axonal dopamine release by local microcircuitry is at the hub of several biological processes that govern the timing and magnitude of signaling events in reward-related brain regions. An important characteristic of dopamine release from axon terminals in the striatum is that it is rapidly modulated by local regulatory mechanisms. These processes can occur via homosynaptic mechanisms-such as presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and dopamine transporters - as well heterosynaptic mechanisms such as retrograde signaling from postsynaptic cholinergic and dynorphin systems, among others. Additionally, modulation of dopamine release via diffusible messengers, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, allows for various metabolic factors to quickly and efficiently regulate dopamine release and subsequent signaling. Here we review how these mechanisms work in concert to influence the timing and magnitude of striatal dopamine signaling, independent of action potential activity at the level of dopaminergic cell bodies in the midbrain, thereby providing a parallel pathway by which dopamine can be modulated. Understanding the complexities of local regulation of dopamine signaling is required for building comprehensive frameworks of how activity throughout the dopamine system is integrated to drive signaling and control behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy R Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lillian J Brady
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN TN, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN TN, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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