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Robinson MJF, Caplan KA, Knes AS, Rodríguez-Cruz HO, Clibanoff C, Freeland CM. Reward uncertainty attributes incentive value to reward proximal cues, while amphetamine sensitization reverts attention to more predictive reward distal cues. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 97:109795. [PMID: 31669548 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Slot-machine gambling incorporates numerous audiovisual cues prior to and during reward delivery (e.g. spinning wheels, flashing lights, celebratory sounds). Over time, these cues may motivate playing and even elicit cravings and relapse in those affected by gambling disorder. Animal studies suggest a heightened attraction to these cues despite diminished predictive ability under reward uncertainty, as evidenced by sign-tracking behavior in rats. Repeated amphetamine administration may also enhance the incentive value attributed to cues. Here, we explored the impact of reward uncertainty and prior amphetamine sensitization on the relative attractiveness and conditioned reinforcing properties of serial Pavlovian cues with different degrees of predictive and incentive value in rats. Animals were sensitized through repeated injections of amphetamine (1-4 mg/kg) or saline and then trained in a Pavlovian autoshaping task involving two sequential lever-auditory cue combinations (CS1, CS2) under Certain (100%-1) or Uncertain (50%-1-2-3) reward conditions. Subsequently, we evaluated the impact of acute amphetamine exposure on cue attraction. Our results suggest that Uncertainty alone enhanced attraction towards the reward-proximal CS2. However, combined sensitization and Uncertainty reversed cue preference relative to Uncertainty alone, enhancing attraction towards the more predictive reward-distal CS1. Both cues acquired conditioned reinforcing properties, despite the CS2 being otherwise ignored in all groups besides Uncertainty. However, combined sensitization and Uncertainty increased the reinforcing value of both cues and doubled the amount of interaction with the CS1 lever per presentation. Our results imply competitive mechanisms for attributing incentive value to gambling-related cues between reward uncertainty, prior amphetamine sensitization, and acute amphetamine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike J F Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, 207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA; Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
| | - Kian A Caplan
- Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Anna S Knes
- Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, 207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA; Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | | | - Callie Clibanoff
- Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, 207 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA; Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Charlotte M Freeland
- Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA; Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
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Cogram P, Deacon RMJ, Warner-Schmidt JL, von Schimmelmann MJ, Abrahams BS, During MJ. Gaboxadol Normalizes Behavioral Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:141. [PMID: 31293404 PMCID: PMC6603241 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and autism. FXS is also accompanied by attention problems, hyperactivity, anxiety, aggression, poor sleep, repetitive behaviors, and self-injury. Recent work supports the role of γ-aminobutyric-acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, in mediating symptoms of FXS. Deficits in GABA machinery have been observed in a mouse model of FXS, including a loss of tonic inhibition in the amygdala, which is mediated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Humans with FXS also show reduced GABAA receptor availability. Here, we sought to evaluate the potential of gaboxadol (also called OV101 and THIP), a selective and potent agonist for delta-subunit-containing extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (dSEGA), as a therapeutic agent for FXS by assessing its ability to normalize aberrant behaviors in a relatively uncharacterized mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO2 mice). Four behavioral domains (hyperactivity, anxiety, aggression, and repetitive behaviors) were probed using a battery of behavioral assays. The results showed that Fmr1 KO2 mice were hyperactive, had abnormal anxiety-like behavior, were more irritable and aggressive, and had an increased frequency of repetitive behaviors compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, which are all behavioral deficits reminiscent of individuals with FXS. Treatment with gaboxadol normalized all of the aberrant behaviors observed in Fmr1 KO2 mice back to WT levels, providing evidence of its potential benefit for treating FXS. We show that the potentiation of extrasynaptic GABA receptors alone, by gaboxadol, is sufficient to normalize numerous behavioral deficits in the FXS model using endpoints that are directly translatable to the clinical presentation of FXS. Taken together, these data support the future evaluation of gaboxadol in individuals with FXS, particularly with regard to symptoms of hyperactivity, anxiety, irritability, aggression, and repetitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cogram
- FRAXA-DVI, FRAXA Research Foundation, Boston, MA, United States.,Centre for Systems Biotechnology, Biomedicine Division, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Santiago, Chile.,GEN.DDI Limited, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Robert M J Deacon
- FRAXA-DVI, FRAXA Research Foundation, Boston, MA, United States.,Centre for Systems Biotechnology, Biomedicine Division, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Santiago, Chile.,GEN.DDI Limited, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | - Brett S Abrahams
- Ovid Therapeutics, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Genetics and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Matthew J During
- Ovid Therapeutics, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery and Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
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de Miguel E, Vekovischeva O, Elsilä LV, Panhelainen A, Kankuri E, Aitta-Aho T, Korpi ER. Conditioned Aversion and Neuroplasticity Induced by a Superagonist of Extrasynaptic GABA A Receptors: Correlation With Activation of the Oval BNST Neurons and CRF Mechanisms. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:130. [PMID: 31178693 PMCID: PMC6543524 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
THIP (gaboxadol), a superagonist of the δ subunit-containing extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, produces persistent neuroplasticity in dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), similarly to rewarding drugs of abuse. However, unlike them THIP lacks abuse potential and induces conditioned place aversion in mice. The mechanism underlying the aversive effects of THIP remains elusive. Here, we show that mild aversive effects of THIP were detected 2 h after administration likely reflecting an anxiety-like state with increased corticosterone release and with central recruitment of corticotropin-releasing factor corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) receptors. A detailed immunohistochemical c-Fos expression mapping for THIP-activated brain areas revealed a correlation between the activation of CRF-expressing neurons in the oval nucleus of the bed nuclei of stria terminalis and THIP-induced aversive effects. In addition, the neuroplasticity of mesolimbic DA system (24 h after administration) and conditioned place aversion by THIP after four daily acute sessions were dependent on extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (abolished in δ-GABAA receptor knockout mice) and activation of the CRF1 receptors (abolished in wildtype mice by a CRF1 receptor antagonist). A selective THIP-induced activation of CRF-expressing neurons in the oval part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis may constitute a novel mechanism for inducing plasticity in a population of VTA DA neurons and aversive behavioral states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena de Miguel
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olga Vekovischeva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri V Elsilä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Panhelainen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esko Kankuri
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Aitta-Aho
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa R Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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