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Nufer TM, Wu BJ, Boyce Z, Steffensen SC, Edwards JG. Ethanol blocks a novel form of iLTD, but not iLTP of inhibitory inputs to VTA GABA neurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1396-1408. [PMID: 36899030 PMCID: PMC10354227 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01554-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is an essential component of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) circuit that processes reward and motivated behaviors. The VTA contains DA neurons essential in this process, as well as GABAergic inhibitory cells that regulate DA cell activity. In response to drug exposure, synaptic connections of the VTA circuit can be rewired via synaptic plasticity-a phenomenon thought to be responsible for the pathology of drug dependence. While synaptic plasticity to VTA DA neurons as well as prefrontal cortex to nucleus accumbens GABA neurons are well studied, VTA GABA cell plasticity, specifically inhibitory inputs to VTA GABA neurons, is less understood. Therefore, we investigated the plasticity of these inhibitory inputs. Using whole cell electrophysiology in GAD67-GFP mice to identify GABA cells, we observed that these VTA GABA cells experience either inhibitory GABAergic long-term potentiation (iLTP) or inhibitory long-term depression (iLTD) in response to a 5 Hz stimulus. Paired pulse ratios, coefficient of variance, and failure rates suggest a presynaptic mechanism for both plasticity types, where iLTP is NMDA receptor-dependent and iLTD is GABAB receptor-dependent-this being the first report of iLTD onto VTA GABA cells. As illicit drug exposure can alter VTA plasticity, we employed chronic intermittent exposure (CIE) to ethanol (EtOH) vapor in male and female mice to examine its potential impact on VTA GABA input plasticity. Chronic EtOH vapor exposure produced measurable behavioral changes illustrating dependence and concomitantly prevented previously observed iLTD, which continued in air-exposed controls, illustrating the impact of EtOH on VTA neurocircuitry and suggesting physiologic mechanisms at play in alcohol use disorder and withdrawal states. Taken together, these novel findings of unique GABAergic synapses exhibiting either iLTP or iLTD within the mesolimbic circuit, and EtOH blockade specifically of iLTD, characterize inhibitory VTA plasticity as a malleable, experience-dependent system modified by EtOH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Nufer
- Brigham Young University, Neuroscience Center, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Bridget J Wu
- Brigham Young University, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology Provo, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Zachary Boyce
- Brigham Young University, Neuroscience Center, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey G Edwards
- Brigham Young University, Neuroscience Center, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
- Brigham Young University, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology Provo, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
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2
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Si Z, Wang X, Yu Z, Ruan Y, Qian L, Lin S, Gong X, Li L, Huang J, Liu Y. EGCG attenuates METH self-administration and reinstatement of METH seeking in mice. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13307. [PMID: 37500489 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13307] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is a chronic, relapsing disorder and involves frequent failures of self-control of drug seeking and taking. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenolic compounds of green tea, which has shown great therapeutic effectiveness in neurological disorders. However, it is still unknown whether and how EGCG affects METH seeking behaviour. Here, we show nanostructured EGCG/ascorbic acid nanoparticles (EGCG/AA NPs) dose-dependently reduced METH self-administration (SA) under fixed-ratio 1 (FR1) and progressive ratio (PR) reinforcement schedules in mice and shifted METH dose-response curves downward. Furthermore, EGCG/AA NPs decreased drug- and cue-induced METH seeking. In addition, we found that METH SA led to a decrease in inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and increase in the AMPAR/NMDAR ratio and excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio in ex vivo midbrain slices from ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons. EGCG/AA NPs enhanced Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition and normalized the E/I ratio. EGCG restored the balance between excitation and inhibition in VTA dopamine neurons, which may contribute to the attenuation of METH SA. These findings indicate that EGCG is a promising pharmacotherapy for METH use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Si
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Medical School, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Xidi Wang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoying Yu
- Department of Psychology, Collage of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yuer Ruan
- Department of Psychology, Collage of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Liyin Qian
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujun Lin
- Department of Psychology, Collage of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xinshuang Gong
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Jing Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Medical School, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, People's Republic of China
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3
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Serra V, Aroni S, Bortolato M, Frau R, Melis M. Endocannabinoid-dependent decrease of GABAergic transmission on dopaminergic neurons is associated with susceptibility to cocaine stimulant effects in pre-adolescent male MAOA hypomorphic mice exposed to early life stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 233:109548. [PMID: 37080337 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109548] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Vulnerability to cocaine use disorder depends upon a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. While early life adversity is a critical environmental vulnerability factor for drug misuse, allelic variants of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene have been shown to moderate its influence on the risk of drug-related problems. However, data on the interactions between MAOA variants and early life stress (ES) with respect to predisposition to cocaine abuse are limited. Here, we show that a mouse model capturing the interaction of genetic (low-activity alleles of the Maoa gene; MAOANeo) and environmental (i.e., ES) vulnerability factors displays an increased sensitivity to repeated in vivo cocaine psychomotor stimulant actions associated with a reduction of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI), a 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG)-dependent form of short-term plasticity, also becomes readily expressed by dopamine neurons from male MAOANeo ES mice repeatedly treated with cocaine. The activation of either dopamine D2 or CB1 receptors contributes to cocaine-induced DSI expression, decreased GABA synaptic efficacy, and hyperlocomotion. Next, in vivo pharmacological enhancement of 2AG signaling during repeated cocaine exposure occludes its actions both in vivo and ex vivo. This data extends our knowledge of the multifaceted sequelae imposed by this gene-environment interaction in VTA dopamine neurons of male pre-adolescent mice and contributes to our understanding of neural mechanisms of vulnerability for early onset cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 84112, USA
| | - Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy.
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4
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Yang J, Chen J, Liu Y, Chen KH, Baraban JM, Qiu Z. Ventral tegmental area astrocytes modulate cocaine reward by tonically releasing GABA. Neuron 2023; 111:1104-1117.e6. [PMID: 36681074 PMCID: PMC10079641 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Addictive drugs increase ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neuron activity through distinct cellular mechanisms, one of which involves disinhibition of DA neurons by inhibiting local GABA neurons. How drugs regulate VTA GABA neuron activity and drive addictive behaviors remains poorly understood. Here, we show that astrocytes control VTA GABA neuron activity in cocaine reward via tonic inhibition in mice. Repeated cocaine exposure potentiates astrocytic tonic GABA release through volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) and augments tonic inhibition of VTA GABA neurons, thus downregulating their activities and disinhibiting nucleus accumbens (NAc) projecting DA neurons. Attenuation of tonic inhibition by either deleting Swell1 (Lrrc8a), the obligatory subunit of VRACs, in VTA astrocytes or disrupting δ subunit of GABAA receptors in VTA GABA neurons reduces cocaine-evoked changes in neuron activity, locomotion, and reward behaviors in mice. Together, our findings reveal the critical role of astrocytes in regulating the VTA local circuit and cocaine reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Yang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jianan Chen
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yongqing Liu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kevin Hong Chen
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jay M Baraban
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zhaozhu Qiu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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5
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Scheyer A, Yasmin F, Naskar S, Patel S. Endocannabinoids at the synapse and beyond: implications for neuropsychiatric disease pathophysiology and treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:37-53. [PMID: 36100658 PMCID: PMC9700791 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid neuromodulators that suppress neurotransmitter release, reduce postsynaptic excitability, activate astrocyte signaling, and control cellular respiration. Here, we describe canonical and emerging eCB signaling modes and aim to link adaptations in these signaling systems to pathological states. Adaptations in eCB signaling systems have been identified in a variety of biobehavioral and physiological process relevant to neuropsychiatric disease states including stress-related disorders, epilepsy, developmental disorders, obesity, and substance use disorders. These insights have enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders and are contributing to the ongoing development of eCB-targeting therapeutics. We suggest future studies aimed at illuminating how adaptations in canonical as well as emerging cellular and synaptic modes of eCB signaling contribute to disease pathophysiology or resilience could further advance these novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farhana Yasmin
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Saptarnab Naskar
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Northwestern Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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6
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Beiser T, Lisniansky E, Weitz M, Bingor A, Grad E, Rosenblum K, Thornton C, Yaka R. A functional eEF2K-eEF2 pathway in the NAc is critical for the expression of cocaine-induced psychomotor sensitisation and conditioned place preference. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:460. [PMID: 36319619 PMCID: PMC9626485 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02232-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence links synaptic plasticity and mRNA translation, via the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) and its only known substrate, eEF2. However, the involvement of the eEF2 pathway in cocaine-induced neuroadaptations and cocaine-induced behaviours is not known. Knock-in (KI) mice and shRNA were used to globally and specifically reduce eEF2K expression. Cocaine psychomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference were used to evaluate behavioural outcome. Changes in eEF2 phosphorylation were determined by western blot analyses. No effect was observed on the AMPA/NMDA receptor current ratio in the ventral tegmental area, 24 h after cocaine injection in eEF2K-KI mice compared with WT. However, development and expression of cocaine psychomotor sensitization were decreased in KI mice. Phosphorylated eEF2 was decreased one day after psychomotor sensitization and returned to baseline at seven days in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of WT mice, but not in eEF2K-KI mice. However, one day following cocaine challenge, phosphorylated eEF2 decreased in WT but not KI mice. Importantly, specific targeting of eEF2K expression by shRNA in the NAc decreased cocaine condition place preference. These results suggest that the eEF2 pathway play a role in cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tehila Beiser
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elvira Lisniansky
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moriya Weitz
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexey Bingor
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Etty Grad
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kobi Rosenblum
- grid.18098.380000 0004 1937 0562Sagol Department of Neuroscience, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Claire Thornton
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XDepartment of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Rami Yaka
- Institute for Drug Research (IDR), School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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7
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Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on addictive behaviors in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3621-3632. [PMID: 36109391 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Recently, it has been suggested that isoflurane might reduce dopamine release from rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons, the neurobiological substrate implicated in the reinforcing effects of abused drugs and nondrug rewards. However, little is known about effects of isoflurane on neurobehavioral activity associated with chronic exposure to psychoactive substances. OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflurane on cocaine-reinforced behavior. Using behavioral paradigm in rats, we evaluated the effects of isoflurane on cocaine self-administration under fixed ratio (FR) and progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement. We also tested the effects of isoflurane on lever responding by nondrug reinforcers (sucrose and food) in drug-naive rats to control for the nonselective effects of isoflurane on cocaine- and nicotine-taking behavior. To further assess the ability of isoflurane to modulate the motivation for taking a drug, we evaluated the effects of isoflurane on nicotine self-administration. Using different groups of rats, the effects of isoflurane on the locomotor activity induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of cocaine (15 mg/kg) were also examined. RESULTS Isoflurane significantly suppressed the self-administration of cocaine and nicotine without affecting food consumption. Unlike food-reinforced responding, responding for sucrose reinforcement was decreased by isoflurane. Isoflurane reduced breaking points under a PR schedule of reinforcement in a dose-dependent manner, indicating its efficacy in decreasing the incentive value of cocaine. Isoflurane also attenuated acute cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. CONCLUSIONS The results provided evidence that isoflurane decreases cocaine- and nicotine-reinforced responses, while isoflurane effect is not selective for cocaine- and nicotine-maintained responding. These results suggest that isoflurane inhibitions of cocaine- and nicotine-maintenance responses may be related to decreased effects of dopamine, and further investigation will need to elucidate this relationship.
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Yu J, Sesack SR, Huang Y, Schlüter OM, Grace AA, Dong Y. Contingent Amygdala Inputs Trigger Heterosynaptic LTP at Hippocampus-To-Accumbens Synapses. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6581-6592. [PMID: 35840324 PMCID: PMC9410749 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0838-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is a key brain region where environmental cues acquire incentive salience to reinforce motivated behaviors. Principal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAcSh receive extensive glutamatergic projections from limbic regions, among which, the ventral hippocampus (vH) transmits information enriched in contextual cues, and the basolateral amygdala (BLA) encodes real-time arousing states. The vH and BLA project convergently to NAcSh MSNs, both activated in a time-locked manner on a cue-conditioned motivational action. In brain slices prepared from male and female mice, we show that co-activation of the two projections induces long-term potentiation (LTP) at vH-to-NAcSh synapses without affecting BLA-to-NAcSh synapses, revealing a heterosynaptic mechanism through which BLA signals persistently increase the temporally contingent vH-to-NAcSh transmission. Furthermore, this LTP is more prominent in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing (D1) MSNs than D2 MSNs and can be prevented by inhibition of either D1 receptors or dopaminergic terminals in NAcSh. This heterosynaptic LTP may provide a dopamine-guided mechanism through which vH-encoded cue inputs that are contingent to BLA activation acquire increased circuit representation to reinforce behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In motivated behaviors, environmental cues associated with arousing stimuli acquire increased incentive salience, processes mediated in part by the nucleus accumbens (NAc). NAc principal neurons receive glutamatergic projections from the ventral hippocampus (vH) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), which transmit information encoding contextual cues and affective states, respectively. Our results show that co-activation of the two projections induces long-term potentiation (LTP) at vH-to-NAc synapses without affecting BLA-to-NAc synapses, revealing a heterosynaptic mechanism through which BLA signals potentiate the temporally contingent vH-to-NAc transmission. Furthermore, this LTP is prevented by inhibition of either D1 receptors or dopaminergic axons. This heterosynaptic LTP may provide a dopamine-guided mechanism through which vH-encoded cue inputs that are contingent to BLA activation acquire increased circuit representation to reinforce behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Susan R Sesack
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Yanhua Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Oliver M Schlüter
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
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9
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Addiction-induced plasticity in underlying neural circuits. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:1605-1615. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05778-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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10
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Peltz G, Tan Y. What Have We Learned (or Expect to) From Analysis of Murine Genetic Models Related to Substance Use Disorders? Front Psychiatry 2022; 12:793961. [PMID: 35095607 PMCID: PMC8790171 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.793961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tremendous public health problem created by substance use disorders (SUDs) presents a major opportunity for mouse genetics. Inbred mouse strains exhibit substantial and heritable differences in their responses to drugs of abuse (DOA) and in many of the behaviors associated with susceptibility to SUD. Therefore, genetic discoveries emerging from analysis of murine genetic models can provide critically needed insight into the neurobiological effects of DOA, and they can reveal how genetic factors affect susceptibility drug addiction. There are already indications, emerging from our prior analyses of murine genetic models of responses related to SUDs that mouse genetic models of SUD can provide actionable information, which can lead to new approaches for alleviating SUDs. Lastly, we consider the features of murine genetic models that enable causative genetic factors to be successfully identified; and the methodologies that facilitate genetic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Peltz
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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11
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Rabin RA, Mackey S, Parvaz MA, Cousijn J, Li C, Pearlson G, Schmaal L, Sinha R, Stein E, Veltman D, Thompson PM, Conrod P, Garavan H, Alia‐Klein N, Goldstein RZ. Common and gender-specific associations with cocaine use on gray matter volume: Data from the ENIGMA addiction working group. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:543-554. [PMID: 32857473 PMCID: PMC8675419 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gray matter volume (GMV) in frontal cortical and limbic regions is susceptible to cocaine-associated reductions in cocaine-dependent individuals (CD) and is negatively associated with duration of cocaine use. Gender differences in CD individuals have been reported clinically and in the context of neural responses to cue-induced craving and stress reactivity. The variability of GMV in select brain areas between men and women (e.g., limbic regions) underscores the importance of exploring interaction effects between gender and cocaine dependence on brain structure. Therefore, voxel-based morphometry data derived from the ENIGMA Addiction Consortium were used to investigate potential gender differences in GMV in CD individuals compared to matched controls (CTL). T1-weighted MRI scans and clinical data were pooled from seven sites yielding 420 gender- and age-matched participants: CD men (CDM, n = 140); CD women (CDW, n = 70); control men (CTLM, n = 140); and control women (CTLW, n = 70). Differences in GMV were assessed using a 2 × 2 ANCOVA, and voxelwise whole-brain linear regressions were conducted to explore relationships between GMV and duration of cocaine use. All analyses were corrected for age, total intracranial volume, and site. Diagnostic differences were predominantly found in frontal regions (CD < CTL). Interestingly, gender × diagnosis interactions in the left anterior insula and left lingual gyrus were also documented, driven by differences in women (CDW < CTLW). Further, lower right hippocampal GMV was associated with greater cocaine duration in CDM. Given the importance of the anterior insula to interoception and the hippocampus to learning contextual associations, results may point to gender-specific mechanisms in cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Rabin
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Scott Mackey
- Departments of Psychiatry and PsychologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Muhammad A. Parvaz
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Chiang‐shan Li
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Godfrey Pearlson
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia and Centre for Youth Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Rajita Sinha
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Elliot Stein
- Intramural Research Program—Neuroimaging Research BranchNational Institute on Drug AbuseBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Dick Veltman
- Department of PsychiatryVU University Medical CenterAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Department of Neurology Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Patricia Conrod
- Department of PsychiatryUniversité de Montreal, CHU Ste Justine HospitalMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Hugh Garavan
- Departments of Psychiatry and PsychologyUniversity of VermontBurlingtonVermontUSA
| | - Nelly Alia‐Klein
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Rita Z. Goldstein
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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12
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Mu L, Liu X, Yu H, Hu M, Friedman V, Kelly TJ, Zhao L, Liu QS. Ibudilast attenuates cocaine self-administration and prime- and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 201:108830. [PMID: 34626665 PMCID: PMC8656241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ibudilast is a non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor and glial cell modulator which has shown great promise for the treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders in recent clinical studies. However, it is unknown whether and how ibudilast affects cocaine seeking behavior. Here we show that systemic administration of ibudilast dose-dependently reduced cocaine self-administration under fixed- and progressive-ratio reinforcement schedules in rats and shifted cocaine dose-response curves downward. In addition, ibudilast decreased cocaine prime- and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. These results indicate that ibudilast was effective in reducing the reinforcing effects of cocaine and relapse to cocaine seeking. Chronic cocaine exposure induces cAMP-related neuroadaptations in the reward circuitry of the brain. To investigate potential mechanisms for ibudilast-induced attenuation of cocaine self-administration, we recorded from ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons in ex vivo midbrain slices prepared from rats that had undergone saline and cocaine self-administration. We found cocaine self-administration led to a decrease in inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), an increase in the AMPAR/NMDAR ratio, and an increase in the excitation to inhibition (E/I) ratio. Ibudilast pretreatments enhanced GABAergic inhibition and did not further change cocaine-induced potentiation of excitation, leading to normalization of the E/I ratio. Restoration of the balance between excitation and inhibition in VTA dopamine neurons may contribute to the attenuation of cocaine self-administration by ibudilast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianwei Mu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Xiaojie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA; Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Mengming Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Vladislav Friedman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Thomas J Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qing-Song Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
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13
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Cheron J, Kerchove d'Exaerde AD. Drug addiction: from bench to bedside. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:424. [PMID: 34385417 PMCID: PMC8361217 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is responsible for millions of deaths per year around the world. Still, its management as a chronic disease is shadowed by misconceptions from the general public. Indeed, drug consumers are often labelled as "weak", "immoral" or "depraved". Consequently, drug addiction is often perceived as an individual problem and not societal. In technical terms, drug addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disease resulting from sustained effects of drugs on the brain. Through a better characterisation of the cerebral circuits involved, and the long-term modifications of the brain induced by addictive drugs administrations, first, we might be able to change the way the general public see the patient who is suffering from drug addiction, and second, we might be able to find new treatments to normalise the altered brain homeostasis. In this review, we synthetise the contribution of fundamental research to the understanding drug addiction and its contribution to potential novel therapeutics. Mostly based on drug-induced modifications of synaptic plasticity and epigenetic mechanisms (and their behavioural correlates) and after demonstration of their reversibility, we tried to highlight promising therapeutics. We also underline the specific temporal dynamics and psychosocial aspects of this complex psychiatric disease adding parameters to be considered in clinical trials and paving the way to test new therapeutic venues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Cheron
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, B-1070, Belgium
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, B-1070, Belgium.
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14
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Parks C, Rogers CM, Prins P, Williams RW, Chen H, Jones BC, Moore BM, Mulligan MK. Genetic Modulation of Initial Sensitivity to Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Among the BXD Family of Mice. Front Genet 2021; 12:659012. [PMID: 34367237 PMCID: PMC8343140 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.659012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 activation by the major psychoactive component in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), produces motor impairments, hypothermia, and analgesia upon acute exposure. In previous work, we demonstrated significant sex and strain differences in acute responses to THC following administration of a single dose (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) inbred mice. To determine the extent to which these differences are heritable, we quantified acute responses to a single dose of THC (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in males and females from 20 members of the BXD family of inbred strains derived by crossing and inbreeding B6 and D2 mice. Acute THC responses (initial sensitivity) were quantified as changes from baseline for: 1. spontaneous activity in the open field (mobility), 2. body temperature (hypothermia), and 3. tail withdrawal latency to a thermal stimulus (antinociception). Initial sensitivity to the immobilizing, hypothermic, and antinociceptive effects of THC varied substantially across the BXD family. Heritability was highest for mobility and hypothermia traits, indicating that segregating genetic variants modulate initial sensitivity to THC. We identified genomic loci and candidate genes, including Ndufs2, Scp2, Rps6kb1 or P70S6K, Pde4d, and Pten, that may control variation in THC initial sensitivity. We also detected strong correlations between initial responses to THC and legacy phenotypes related to intake or response to other drugs of abuse (cocaine, ethanol, and morphine). Our study demonstrates the feasibility of mapping genes and variants modulating THC responses in the BXDs to systematically define biological processes and liabilities associated with drug use and abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory Parks
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Agriculture, Biology and Health Sciences, Cameron University, Lawton, OK, United States
| | - Chris M. Rogers
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Pjotr Prins
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Robert W. Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Byron C. Jones
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Bob M. Moore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Megan K. Mulligan
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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15
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Medrano M, Hurel I, Mesguich E, Redon B, Stevens C, Georges F, Melis M, Marsicano G, Chaouloff F. Exercise craving potentiates excitatory inputs to ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12967. [PMID: 33021007 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12967] [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: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Physical exercise, which can be addictogenic on its own, is considered a therapeutic alternative for drug craving. Exercise might thus share with drugs the ability to strengthen excitatory synapses onto ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurones, as assessed by the ratio of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) to NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated EPSCs. As did acute cocaine, amphetamine, or Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pretreatments, an acute 1-h wheel-running session increased the AMPAR/NMDAR ratio in VTA dopaminergic neurones. To dissect the respective influences of wheel-running seeking and performance, mice went through an operant protocol wherein wheel-running was conditioned by nose poking under fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement. Conditioned wheel-running increased the AMPAR/NMDAR ratio to a higher extent than free wheel-running, doing so although running performance was lower in the former paradigm than in the latter. Thus, the cue-reward association, rather than reward consumption, played a major role in this increase. The AMPAR/NMDAR ratio returned to baseline levels in mice that had extinguished the cued-running motivated task, but it increased after a cue-induced reinstatement session. The amplitude of this increase correlated with the intensity of exercise craving, as assessed by individual nose poke scores. Finally, cue-induced reinstatement of running seeking proved insensitive to acute cocaine or THC pretreatments. Our study reveals for the first time that the drive for exercise bears synaptic influences on VTA dopaminergic neurones which are reminiscent of drug actions. Whether these influences play a role in the therapeutic effects of exercise in human drug craving remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria‐Carmen Medrano
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Imane Hurel
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Emma Mesguich
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Bastien Redon
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Christopher Stevens
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
- Pathophysiology of Declarative Memory NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
| | - François Georges
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine CNRS UMR 5293 Bordeaux France
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology University of Cagliari Cagliari Italy
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Francis Chaouloff
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation NeuroCentre INSERM U1215 Bordeaux France
- Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
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16
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Hunker AC, Soden ME, Krayushkina D, Heymann G, Awatramani R, Zweifel LS. Conditional Single Vector CRISPR/SaCas9 Viruses for Efficient Mutagenesis in the Adult Mouse Nervous System. Cell Rep 2021; 30:4303-4316.e6. [PMID: 32209486 PMCID: PMC7212805 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice engineered for conditional, cell type-specific gene inactivation have dominated the field of mouse genetics because of the high efficiency of Cre-loxP-mediated recombination. Recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technologies have provided alternatives for rapid gene mutagenesis for loss-of-function (LOF) analysis. Whether these strategies can be streamlined for rapid genetic analysis with the efficiencies comparable with those of conventional genetic approaches has yet to be established. We show that a single adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector containing a recombinase-dependent Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9) and a single guide RNA (sgRNA) are as efficient as conventional conditional gene knockout and can be adapted for use in either Cre- or Flp-driver mouse lines. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated for the analysis of GABAergic, glutamatergic, and monoaminergic neurotransmission. Using this strategy, we reveal insight into the role of GABAergic regulation of midbrain GABA-producing neurons in psychomotor activation. Hunker et al. generate single adeno-associated viral vectors for conditional gene mutagenesis in the adult mouse nervous system with efficiencies equivalent to those of conventional gene inactivation strategies. On the basis of this efficacy, they provide a resource of Cre- and Flp-dependent constructs for targeting catecholamine, glutamate, and GABA neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery C Hunker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Marta E Soden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dasha Krayushkina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gabriel Heymann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Larry S Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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17
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Blazquez-Llorca L, Miguéns M, Montero-Crespo M, Selvas A, Gonzalez-Soriano J, Ambrosio E, DeFelipe J. 3D Synaptic Organization of the Rat CA1 and Alterations Induced by Cocaine Self-Administration. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1927-1952. [PMID: 33253368 PMCID: PMC7945021 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus plays a key role in contextual conditioning and has been proposed as an important component of the cocaine addiction brain circuit. To gain knowledge about cocaine-induced alterations in this circuit, we used focused ion beam milling/scanning electron microscopy to reveal and quantify the three-dimensional synaptic organization of the neuropil of the stratum radiatum of the rat CA1, under normal circumstances and after cocaine-self administration (SA). Most synapses are asymmetric (excitatory), macular-shaped, and in contact with dendritic spine heads. After cocaine-SA, the size and the complexity of the shape of both asymmetric and symmetric (inhibitory) synapses increased but no changes were observed in the synaptic density. This work constitutes the first detailed report on the 3D synaptic organization in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 field of cocaine-SA rats. Our data contribute to the elucidation of the normal and altered synaptic organization of the hippocampus, which is crucial for better understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Blazquez-Llorca
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Sección Departamental de Anatomía y Embriología (Veterinaria), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Miguéns
- Departamento de Psicología Básica I, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Montero-Crespo
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Selvas
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Gonzalez-Soriano
- Sección Departamental de Anatomía y Embriología (Veterinaria), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Ambrosio
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J DeFelipe
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
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18
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Wu CM, Lai TW. Microglia depletion by PLX3397 has no effect on cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in male mice. Brain Res 2021; 1761:147391. [PMID: 33639199 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147391] [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: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine and other addictive drugs are known to stimulate microglia, and microglia in turn have been shown to play roles in both the development and mitigation of drug dependence. For instance, cocaine can directly bind to surface receptors on microglia and trigger their release of interleukin-1β, which promotes addictive behaviors; however, cocaine also indirectly stimulates microglia by elevating dopamine, which causes microglia to impair long-lasting neuronal changes related to cocaine use. The seemingly opposing roles of microglia beg the question of what the net effect of microglial presence is on cocaine-induced behavioral changes. Here, we depleted microglia from the mouse brain by treating mice with PLX3397 and subjected the mice to cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization, a model for studying long-lasting neuronal changes associated with drugs of abuse. Although cocaine treatment had little effect on microglial abundance, PLX3397 treatment dramatically decreased the number of microglia in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus in control mice and in mice subjected to cocaine sensitization. Importantly, loss of microglia did not appear to affect either the acute locomotor response to cocaine treatment or sensitization after repeated doses of cocaine. In conclusion, while our data do not contradict previous findings indicating that different microglial-derived factors can have seemingly opposite effects on behaviors associated with cocaine use, they suggest that microglia do not have a net effect on cocaine-induced long-lasting behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Mei Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ted Weita Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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19
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Friend LN, Wu B, Edwards JG. Acute cocaine exposure occludes long-term depression in ventral tegmental area GABA neurons. Neurochem Int 2021; 145:105002. [PMID: 33617930 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain is essential in incentive salience of reward behavior. Drugs of abuse increase midbrain dopamine cell activity and/or dopamine levels, and can alter endogenous VTA glutamate plasticity, leading to addiction or dependence. VTA dopamine cells are regulated by local inhibitory GABA cells, which exhibit a form of pre-synaptic cannabinoid receptor 1-dependent long-term depression of their glutamatergic inputs. Our current aim was to determine cocaine's influence on VTA GABA cell glutamate plasticity and circuity. Using whole cell voltage-clamp electrophysiology in VTA slices of GAD67-GFP knock-in mice, we recorded excitatory inputs on VTA GABA cells. Acute and chronic injections of cocaine were sufficient to occlude long-term depression. The plasticity could be reversed to the naïve state however, as long-term depression was again observed following a 7-day abstinence from acute cocaine exposure. Furthermore, chronic cocaine decreased AMPA/NMDA ratios at glutamate synapses onto VTA GABA cells, compared to vehicle injection controls, the opposite change noted in dopamine cells. Collectively, our data suggest the cellular mechanism of cocaine-mediated synaptic modification that may result in dependence/withdrawal could involve changes in glutamate input to VTA GABA circuitry in addition to VTA dopamine cells. Therefore VTA GABA cells may also play a role, possibly in a synergistic manner with the dopamine circuit, in cocaine-induced changes to the VTA reward pathway than previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N Friend
- Brigham Young University, Neuroscience Center, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Bridget Wu
- Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Jeffrey G Edwards
- Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, 84602, USA; Brigham Young University, Neuroscience Center, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
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20
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Tan Y, Hang F, Liu ZW, Stoiljkovic M, Wu M, Tu Y, Han W, Lee AM, Kelley C, Hajós M, Lu L, de Lecea L, De Araujo I, Picciotto MR, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Impaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4985-4998. [PMID: 32516139 DOI: 10.1172/jci130889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain has evolved in an environment where food sources are scarce, and foraging for food is one of the major challenges for survival of the individual and species. Basic and clinical studies show that obesity or overnutrition leads to overwhelming changes in the brain in animals and humans. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the consequences of excessive energy intake are not well understood. Neurons expressing the neuropeptide hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) in the lateral/perifonical hypothalamus (LH) are critical for homeostatic regulation, reward seeking, stress response, and cognitive functions. In this study, we examined adaptations in Hcrt cells regulating behavioral responses to salient stimuli in diet-induced obese mice. Our results demonstrated changes in primary cilia, synaptic transmission and plasticity, cellular responses to neurotransmitters necessary for reward seeking, and stress responses in Hcrt neurons from obese mice. Activities of neuronal networks in the LH and hippocampus were impaired as a result of decreased hypocretinergic function. The weakened Hcrt system decreased reward seeking while altering responses to acute stress (stress-coping strategy), which were reversed by selectively activating Hcrt cells with chemogenetics. Taken together, our data suggest that a deficiency in Hcrt signaling may be a common cause of behavioral changes (such as lowered arousal, weakened reward seeking, and altered stress response) in obese animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tan
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Fu Hang
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Guangxi Reproductive Medical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhong-Wu Liu
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Milan Stoiljkovic
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mingxing Wu
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliate Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Tu
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Second Clinic Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenfei Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Angela M Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Craig Kelley
- Joint Biomedical Engineering Program, SUNY Downstate and NYU Tandon, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ivan De Araujo
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xiao-Bing Gao
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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21
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Doyle MA, Mazei-Robison MS. Opioid-Induced Molecular and Cellular Plasticity of Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a039362. [PMID: 31964652 PMCID: PMC7371531 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Opioid drugs are highly valued as potent analgesics; however, there are significant risks associated with long-term use because of their abuse liability. Opioids cause changes in ventral tegmental area (VTA) gene expression and cell activity that have been linked to addiction-related behaviors in rodent models. Here, we focus on VTA dopamine (DA) neurons and review the cellular, structural, and synaptic plasticity changes induced by acute and chronic opioid exposure. We also discuss many avenues for future research including determination of whether opioid neuroadaptations are specific for subpopulations of VTA DA neurons. A better understanding of the molecular adaptations within the cells and circuits that drive opioid abuse is crucial for the development of better treatments for substance use disorders and to create novel, safer pain-relieving therapeutics.
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22
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Soden ME, Chung AS, Cuevas B, Resnick JM, Awatramani R, Zweifel LS. Anatomic resolution of neurotransmitter-specific projections to the VTA reveals diversity of GABAergic inputs. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:968-980. [PMID: 32541962 PMCID: PMC7927312 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0657-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is important for reward processing and motivation. The anatomic organization of neurotransmitter-specific inputs to the VTA remains poorly resolved. In the present study, we mapped the major neurotransmitter projections to the VTA through cell-type-specific retrograde and anterograde tracing. We found that glutamatergic inputs arose from a variety of sources and displayed some connectivity biases toward specific VTA cell types. The sources of GABAergic projections were more widespread, displayed a high degree of differential innervation of subregions in the VTA and were largely biased toward synaptic contact with local GABA neurons. Inactivation of GABA release from the two major sources, locally derived versus distally derived, revealed distinct roles for these projections in behavioral regulation. Optogenetic manipulation of individual distal GABAergic inputs also revealed differential behavioral effects. These results demonstrate that GABAergic projections to the VTA are a major contributor to the regulation and diversification of the structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta E. Soden
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195
| | - Amanda S. Chung
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195
| | - Beatriz Cuevas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195
| | - Jesse M. Resnick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195
| | | | - Larry S. Zweifel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195
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23
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Piette C, Cui Y, Gervasi N, Venance L. Lights on Endocannabinoid-Mediated Synaptic Potentiation. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:132. [PMID: 32848597 PMCID: PMC7399367 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a lipid-based neurotransmitter complex that plays crucial roles in the neural control of learning and memory. The current model of eCB-mediated retrograde signaling is that eCBs released from postsynaptic elements travel retrogradely to presynaptic axon terminals, where they activate cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) and ultimately decrease neurotransmitter release on a short- or long-term scale. An increasing body of evidence has enlarged this view and shows that eCBs, besides depressing synaptic transmission, are also able to increase neurotransmitter release at multiple synapses of the brain. This indicates that eCBs act as bidirectional regulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Recently, studies unveiled links between the expression of eCB-mediated long-term potentiation (eCB-LTP) and learning, and between its dysregulation and several pathologies. In this review article, we first distinguish the various forms of eCB-LTP based on their mechanisms, resulting from homosynaptically or heterosynaptically-mediated processes. Next, we consider the neuromodulation of eCB-LTP, its behavioral impact on learning and memory, and finally, eCB-LTP disruptions in various pathologies and its potential as a therapeutic target in disorders such as stress coping, addiction, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and pain. Cannabis is gaining popularity as a recreational substance as well as a medicine, and multiple eCB-based drugs are under development. In this context, it is critical to understand eCB-mediated signaling in its multi-faceted complexity. Indeed, the bidirectional nature of eCB-based neuromodulation may offer an important key to interpret the functions of the eCB system and how it is impacted by cannabis and other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Piette
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, INSERM U1050, CNRS UMR7241, Labex Memolife, Paris, France
| | - Yihui Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nicolas Gervasi
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, INSERM U1050, CNRS UMR7241, Labex Memolife, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Venance
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, INSERM U1050, CNRS UMR7241, Labex Memolife, Paris, France
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24
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Li J, Zhang L, Xu C, Lin YH, Zhang Y, Wu HY, Chang L, Zhang YD, Luo CX, Li F, Zhu DY. Prolonged Use of NMDAR Antagonist Develops Analgesic Tolerance in Neuropathic Pain via Nitric Oxide Reduction-Induced GABAergic Disinhibition. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:1016-1030. [PMID: 32632774 PMCID: PMC7609518 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00883-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is usually persistent due to maladaptive neuroplasticity-induced central sensitization and, therefore, necessitates long-term treatment. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated hypersensitivity in the spinal dorsal horn represents key mechanisms of central sensitization. Short-term use of NMDAR antagonists produces antinociceptive efficacy in animal pain models and in clinical practice by reducing central sensitization. However, how prolonged use of NMDAR antagonists affects central sensitization remains unknown. Surprisingly, we find that prolonged blockage of NMDARs does not prevent but aggravate nerve injury-induced central sensitization and produce analgesic tolerance, mainly due to reduced synaptic inhibition. The disinhibition that results from the continuous decrease in the production of nitric oxide from neuronal nitric oxide synthase, downstream signal of NMDARs, leads to the reduction of GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission by upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and inhibiting the expression and function of potassium-chloride cotransporter. Together, our findings suggest that chronic blockage of NMDARs develops analgesic tolerance through the neuronal nitric oxide synthase-brain-derived neurotrophic factor-potassium-chloride cotransporter pathway. Thus, preventing the GABAergic disinhibition induced by nitric oxide reduction may be necessary for the long-term maintenance of the analgesic effect of NMDAR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu-Hui Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hai-Yin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ying-Dong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China
| | - Chun-Xia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Institution of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
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25
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Tominaga-Yoshino K, Urakubo T, Ueno Y, Kawaai K, Saito S, Tashiro T, Ogura A. Transient appearance of Ca 2+ -permeable AMPA receptors is crucial for the production of repetitive LTP-induced synaptic enhancement (RISE) in cultured hippocampal slices. Hippocampus 2020; 30:763-769. [PMID: 32320117 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23206] [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: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that repetitive induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) by glutamate (100 μM, 3 min, three times at 24-hr intervals) provoked long-lasting synaptic enhancement accompanied by synaptogenesis in rat hippocampal slice cultures, a phenomenon termed RISE (repetitive LTP-induced synaptic enhancement). Here, we examined the role of Ca2+ -permeable (CP) AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in the establishment of RISE. We first found a component sensitive to the Joro-spider toxin (JSTX), a blocker of CP-AMPARs, in a field EPSP recorded from CA3-CA1 synapses at 2-3 days after stimulation, but this component was not found for 9-10 days. We also observed that rectification of AMPAR-mediated current appeared only 2-3 days after stimulation, using a whole-cell patch clamp recording from CA1 pyramidal neurons. These findings indicate that CP-AMPAR is transiently expressed in the developing phase of RISE. The blockade of CP-AMPARs by JSTX for 24 hr at this developing phase inhibited RISE establishment, accompanied by the loss of small synapses at the ultrastructural level. These results suggest that transiently induced CP-AMPARs play a critical role in synaptogenesis in the developing phase of long-lasting hippocampal synaptic plasticity, RISE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Tominaga-Yoshino
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Urakubo
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukiko Ueno
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Kawaai
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama-Gakuin University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinichi Saito
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Tashiro
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama-Gakuin University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ogura
- Department of Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
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26
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Velasquez-Martinez MC, Santos-Vera B, Velez-Hernandez ME, Vazquez-Torres R, Jimenez-Rivera CA. Alpha-1 Adrenergic Receptors Modulate Glutamate and GABA Neurotransmission onto Ventral Tegmental Dopamine Neurons during Cocaine Sensitization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E790. [PMID: 31991781 PMCID: PMC7036981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays an important role in the reward and motivational processes that facilitate the development of drug addiction. Presynaptic α1-AR activation modulates glutamate and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release. This work elucidates the role of VTA presynaptic α1-ARs and their modulation on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission during cocaine sensitization. Excitatory and inhibitory currents (EPSCs and IPSCs) measured by a whole cell voltage clamp show that α1-ARs activation increases EPSCs amplitude after 1 day of cocaine treatment but not after 5 days of cocaine injections. The absence of a pharmacological response to an α1-ARs agonist highlights the desensitization of the receptor after repeated cocaine administration. The desensitization of α1-ARs persists after a 7-day withdrawal period. In contrast, the modulation of α1-ARs on GABA neurotransmission, shown by decreases in IPSCs' amplitude, is not affected by acute or chronic cocaine injections. Taken together, these data suggest that α1-ARs may enhance DA neuronal excitability after repeated cocaine administration through the reduction of GABA inhibition onto VTA dopamine (DA) neurons even in the absence of α1-ARs' function on glutamate release and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. α1-AR modulatory changes in cocaine sensitization increase our knowledge of the role of the noradrenergic system in cocaine addiction and may provide possible avenues for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carolina Velasquez-Martinez
- Grupo de Neurociencias y Comportamiento, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680006, Colombia;
| | - Bermary Santos-Vera
- Department of Biology, Cayey Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, PR 00737, USA;
| | - Maria E. Velez-Hernandez
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA;
| | - Rafael Vazquez-Torres
- Department of Physiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00925, USA;
| | - Carlos A. Jimenez-Rivera
- Department of Physiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00925, USA;
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27
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Stress-induced plasticity and functioning of ventral tegmental dopamine neurons. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:48-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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28
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Ledonne A, Mercuri NB. On the Modulatory Roles of Neuregulins/ErbB Signaling on Synaptic Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010275. [PMID: 31906113 PMCID: PMC6981567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [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: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuregulins (NRGs) are a family of epidermal growth factor-related proteins, acting on tyrosine kinase receptors of the ErbB family. NRGs play an essential role in the development of the nervous system, since they orchestrate vital functions such as cell differentiation, axonal growth, myelination, and synapse formation. They are also crucially involved in the functioning of adult brain, by directly modulating neuronal excitability, neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we provide a review of the literature documenting the roles of NRGs/ErbB signaling in the modulation of synaptic plasticity, focusing on evidence reported in the hippocampus and midbrain dopamine (DA) nuclei. The emerging picture shows multifaceted roles of NRGs/ErbB receptors, which critically modulate different forms of synaptic plasticity (LTP, LTD, and depotentiation) affecting glutamatergic, GABAergic, and DAergic synapses, by various mechanisms. Further, we discuss the relevance of NRGs/ErbB-dependent synaptic plasticity in the control of brain processes, like learning and memory and the known involvement of NRGs/ErbB signaling in the modulation of synaptic plasticity in brain’s pathological conditions. Current evidence points to a central role of NRGs/ErbB receptors in controlling glutamatergic LTP/LTD and GABAergic LTD at hippocampal CA3–CA1 synapses, as well as glutamatergic LTD in midbrain DA neurons, thus supporting that NRGs/ErbB signaling is essential for proper brain functions, cognitive processes, and complex behaviors. This suggests that dysregulated NRGs/ErbB-dependent synaptic plasticity might contribute to mechanisms underlying different neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Ledonne
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano, no 64, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3906-501703160; Fax: +3906-501703307
| | - Nicola B. Mercuri
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano, no 64, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier no 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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29
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Protrudin modulates seizure activity through GABA A receptor regulation. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:897. [PMID: 31772151 PMCID: PMC6879747 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a serious neurological disease characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The exact etiology of epilepsy is not fully understood. Protrudin is a neural membrane protein and is found to be mutated in hereditary spastic paraplegia that characterized by symptoms like seizures. Here, we reported that the expression of protrudin was downregulated in the temporal neocortex of epileptic patients and in the hippocampus and cortex of pentylenetetrazol and kainic acid-kindled epileptic mouse models. Behavioral and electroencephalogram analyses indicated that overexpression of protrudin in the mouse hippocampus increased the latency of the seizure and decreased the frequency and duration of seizure activity. Using whole-cell patch clamp, overexpression of protrudin in the mouse hippocampus resulted in a reduction in action potential frequency and an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibitory current amplitude. Moreover, western blot analysis showed that the membrane expression of the GABA A receptor β2/3 subunit was also upregulated after protrudin overexpression, and coimmunoprecipitation resulted in a protein–protein interaction between protrudin, GABAARβ2/3 and GABA receptor-associated protein in the hippocampus of epileptic mice. These findings suggest that protrudin probably inhibits the occurrence and development of epilepsy through the regulation of GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, and protrudin might be a promising target for the treatment of epilepsy.
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30
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Synaptic Plasticity at Inhibitory Synapses in the Ventral Tegmental Area Depends upon Stimulation Site. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0137-19.2019. [PMID: 31619451 PMCID: PMC6860988 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0137-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug exposure induces cell and synaptic plasticity within the brain reward pathway that could be a catalyst for progression to addiction. Several cellular adaptations have been described in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a central component of the reward pathway that is the major source of dopamine release. For example, administration of morphine induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synapses on VTA dopamine cells and blocks LTP at inhibitory synapses. Drug-induced synaptic changes have a common endpoint of increasing dopamine cell firing and dopamine release. However, gaining a complete picture of synaptic plasticity in the VTA is hindered by its complex circuitry of efferents and afferents. Most studies of synaptic plasticity in the VTA activated a mixed population of afferents, potentially yielding an incomplete and perhaps misleading view of how drugs of abuse modify VTA synapses. Here, we use midbrain slices from mice and find that electrical stimulation in two different regions induces different forms of plasticity, including two new forms of LTP at inhibitory synapses. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) induces LTP independently of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation, and surprisingly, some inhibitory inputs to the VTA also undergo NMDAR-independent LTP after a low-frequency stimulation (LFS) pairing protocol.
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31
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Lu X, Yang M, Yang Y, Wang XF. Atlastin-1 modulates seizure activity and neuronal excitability. CNS Neurosci Ther 2019; 26:385-393. [PMID: 31729196 PMCID: PMC7052804 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease, and the main clinical manifestation is recurrent seizures. The exact etiology of epilepsy and the pathogenesis of the disorder are not yet fully understood. Atlastin‐1, a dynamin‐like GTPase, interacts with microtubules and is responsible for vesicle formation, both of which are highly associated with the development of epilepsy. Here, we reported that the expression level of atlastin‐1 protein was reduced in the temporal neocortex of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and in the hippocampus and adjacent cortex of a pentylenetetrazol‐kindled epileptic mouse model. Cells expressing atlastin‐1 coexpressed the inhibitory synaptic marker GAD67 in the temporal cortex and hippocampus of patients with epilepsy and an epileptic mouse model. The lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of atlastin‐1 protein in the hippocampus of mice suppressed seizure activity in behavioral experiments. Patch‐clamp recordings in the Mg2+‐free epilepsy cell model showed that atlastin‐1 overexpression inhibited neuronal excitability by suppressing the discharge frequency of spontaneous action potentials rather than by changing the passive and active properties of action potentials. Inhibitory synaptic transmission, but not excitatory synaptic currents, increased after atlastin‐1 overexpression. These findings suggest that atlastin‐1 likely contributes to the occurrence and development of epilepsy through inhibitory synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Lu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue-Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
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32
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Miguel E, Vekovischeva O, Kuokkanen K, Vesajoki M, Paasikoski N, Kaskinoro J, Myllymäki M, Lainiola M, Janhunen SK, Hyytiä P, Linden A, Korpi ER. GABA B receptor positive allosteric modulators with different efficacies affect neuroadaptation to and self-administration of alcohol and cocaine. Addict Biol 2019; 24:1191-1203. [PMID: 30421860 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse induce widespread synaptic adaptations in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) neurons. Such drug-induced neuroadaptations may constitute an initial cellular mechanism eventually leading to compulsive drug-seeking behavior. To evaluate the impact of GABAB receptors on addiction-related persistent neuroplasticity, we tested the ability of orthosteric agonist baclofen and two positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABAB receptors to suppress neuroadaptations in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and reward-related behaviors induced by ethanol and cocaine. A novel compound (S)-1-(5-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-4-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinazolin-5(4H)-one (ORM-27669) was found to be a GABAB PAM of low efficacy as agonist, whereas the reference compound (R,S)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-3-trifluoromethyl-3H-benzofuran-2-one (rac-BHFF) had a different allosteric profile being a more potent PAM in the calcium-based assay and an agonist, coupled with potent PAM activity, in the [35 S] GTPγS binding assay in rat and human recombinant receptors. Using autoradiography, the high-efficacy rac-BHFF and the low-efficacy ORM-27669 potentiated the effects of baclofen on [35 S] GTPγS binding with identical brain regional distribution. Treatment of mice with baclofen, rac-BHFF, or ORM-27669 failed to induce glutamate receptor neuroplasticity in the VTA DA neurons. Pretreatment with rac-BHFF at non-sedative doses effectively reversed both ethanol- and cocaine-induced plasticity and attenuated cocaine i.v. self-administration and ethanol drinking. Pretreatment with ORM-27669 only reversed ethanol-induced neuroplasticity and attenuated ethanol drinking but had no effects on cocaine-induced neuroplasticity or self-administration. These findings encourage further investigation of GABAB receptor PAMs with different efficacies in addiction models to develop novel treatment strategies for drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Miguel
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | - Olga Vekovischeva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | - Katja Kuokkanen
- Research and Development, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation Finland
| | - Marja Vesajoki
- Research and Development, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation Finland
| | - Nelli Paasikoski
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | - Janne Kaskinoro
- Research and Development, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation Finland
| | - Mikko Myllymäki
- Research and Development, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation Finland
| | - Mira Lainiola
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | | | - Petri Hyytiä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | - Anni‐Maija Linden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
| | - Esa R. Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Helsinki Finland
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33
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Ma Z, Gao F, Larsen B, Gao M, Luo Z, Chen D, Ma X, Qiu S, Zhou Y, Xie J, Xi ZX, Wu J. Mechanisms of cannabinoid CB 2 receptor-mediated reduction of dopamine neuronal excitability in mouse ventral tegmental area. EBioMedicine 2019; 42:225-237. [PMID: 30952618 PMCID: PMC6491419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have recently reported that activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) reduces dopamine (DA) neuron excitability in mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Patch-clamp recordings were performed in mouse VTA slices and dissociated single VTA DA neurons. FINDINGS Using cell-attached recording in VTA slices, bath-application of CB2R agonists (JWH133 or five other CB2R agonists) significantly reduced VTA DA neuron action potential (AP) firing rate. Under the patch-clamp whole-cell recording model, JWH133 (10 μM) mildly reduced the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) but not miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). JWH133 also did not alter evoked EPSCs or IPSCs. In freshly dissociated VTA DA neurons, JWH133 reduced AP firing rate, delayed AP initiation and enhanced AP after-hyperpolarization. In voltage-clamp recordings, JWH133 (1 μM) enhanced M-type K+ currents and this effect was absent in CB2-/- mice and abolished by co-administration of a selective CB2R antagonist (10 μM, AM630). CB2R-mediated inhibition in VTA DA neuron firing can be mimicked by M-current opener (10 μM retigabine) and blocked by M-current blocker (30 μM XE991). In addition, enhancement of neuronal cAMP by forskolin (10 μM) reduced M-current and increased DA neuron firing rate. Finally, pharmacological block of synaptic transmission by NBQX (10 μM), D-APV (50 μM) and picrotoxin (100 μM) in VTA slices failed to prevent CB2R-mediated inhibition, while intracellular infusion of guanosine 5'-O-2-thiodiphosphate (600 μM, GDP-β-S) through recording electrode to block postsynaptic G-protein function prevented JWH133-induced reduction in AP firing. INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that CB2Rs modulate VTA DA neuron excitability mainly through an intrinsic mechanism, including a CB2R-mediated reduction of intracellular cAMP, and in turn enhancement of M-type K+ currents. FUND: This research was supported by the Barrow Neuroscience Foundation, the BNI-BMS Seed Fund, and CNSF (81771437).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zegang Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Fenfei Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 210854, China; Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Brett Larsen
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Zhihua Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 210854, China
| | - Dejie Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; Department of Neurology, Yunfu People's Hospital, Yunfu, Guangdong 527300, China
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 210854, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Junxia Xie
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Neurobiology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 210854, China; Department of Neurology, Yunfu People's Hospital, Yunfu, Guangdong 527300, China.
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Santos-Vera B, Vaquer-Alicea ADC, Maria-Rios CE, Montiel-Ramos A, Ramos-Cardona A, Vázquez-Torres R, Sanabria P, Jiménez-Rivera CA. Protein and surface expression of HCN2 and HCN4 subunits in mesocorticolimbic areas after cocaine sensitization. Neurochem Int 2019; 125:91-98. [PMID: 30794847 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The Ih is a mixed depolarizing current present in neurons which, upon activation by hyperpolarization, modulates neuronal excitability in the mesocorticolimbic (MCL) system, an area which regulates emotions such as pleasure, reward, and motivation. Its biophysical properties are determined by HCN protein expression profiles, specifically HCN subunits 1-4. Previously, we reported that cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization increases HCN2 protein expression in all MCL areas with the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) showing the most significant increase. Recent evidence suggests that HCN4 also has an important expression in the MCL system. Although there is a significant expression of HCN channels in the MCL system their role in addictive processes is largely unknown. Thus, in this study we aim to compare HCN2 and HCN4 expression profiles and their cellular compartmental distribution in the MCL system, before and after cocaine sensitization. Surface/intracellular (S/I) ratio analysis indicates that VTA HCN2 subunits are mostly expressed in the cell surface in contrast to other areas tested. Our findings demonstrate that after cocaine sensitization, the HCN2 S/I ratio in the VTA was decreased whereas in the Prefrontal Cortex it was increased. In addition, HCN4 total expression in the VTA was decreased after cocaine sensitization, although the S/I ratio was not altered. Together, these results demonstrate differential cocaine effects on HCN2 and HCN4 protein expression profiles and therefore suggest a diverse Ih modulation of cellular activity during cocaine addictive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bermary Santos-Vera
- Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Ana Del C Vaquer-Alicea
- Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Cristina E Maria-Rios
- Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Alan Montiel-Ramos
- Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Aynette Ramos-Cardona
- Psychology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Rafael Vázquez-Torres
- Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | - Priscila Sanabria
- Physiology Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, 00960, Puerto Rico
| | - Carlos A Jiménez-Rivera
- Physiology Department, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico.
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35
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López AJ, Siciliano CA, Calipari ES. Activity-Dependent Epigenetic Remodeling in Cocaine Use Disorder. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 258:231-263. [PMID: 31628597 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by cycles of abstinence, drug seeking, and relapse. SUD is characterized by aberrant learning processes which develop after repeated exposure to drugs of abuse. At the core of this phenotype is the persistence of symptoms, such as craving and relapse to drug seeking, long after the cessation of drug use. The neural basis of these behavioral changes has been linked to dysfunction in neural circuits across the brain; however, the molecular drivers that allow for these changes to persist beyond the lifespan of any individual protein remain opaque. Epigenetic adaptations - where DNA is modified to increase or decrease the probability of gene expression at key genes - have been identified as a mechanism underlying the long-lasting nature of drug-seeking behavior. Thus, to understand SUD, it is critical to define the interplay between neuronal activation and longer-term changes in transcription and epigenetic remodeling and define their role in addictive behaviors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of drug-induced changes to circuit function, recent discoveries in epigenetic mechanisms that mediate these changes, and, ultimately, how these adaptations drive the persistent nature of relapse, with emphasis on adaptations in models of cocaine use disorder. Understanding the complex interplay between epigenetic gene regulation and circuit activity will be critical in elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying SUD. This, with the advent of novel genetic-based techniques, will allow for the generation of novel therapeutic avenues to improve treatment outcomes in SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J López
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Infection, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Infection, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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36
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Tavanaei A, Ghodrati M, Kheradpisheh SR, Masquelier T, Maida A. Deep learning in spiking neural networks. Neural Netw 2018; 111:47-63. [PMID: 30682710 DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, deep learning has revolutionized the field of machine learning, for computer vision in particular. In this approach, a deep (multilayer) artificial neural network (ANN) is trained, most often in a supervised manner using backpropagation. Vast amounts of labeled training examples are required, but the resulting classification accuracy is truly impressive, sometimes outperforming humans. Neurons in an ANN are characterized by a single, static, continuous-valued activation. Yet biological neurons use discrete spikes to compute and transmit information, and the spike times, in addition to the spike rates, matter. Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are thus more biologically realistic than ANNs, and are arguably the only viable option if one wants to understand how the brain computes at the neuronal description level. The spikes of biological neurons are sparse in time and space, and event-driven. Combined with bio-plausible local learning rules, this makes it easier to build low-power, neuromorphic hardware for SNNs. However, training deep SNNs remains a challenge. Spiking neurons' transfer function is usually non-differentiable, which prevents using backpropagation. Here we review recent supervised and unsupervised methods to train deep SNNs, and compare them in terms of accuracy and computational cost. The emerging picture is that SNNs still lag behind ANNs in terms of accuracy, but the gap is decreasing, and can even vanish on some tasks, while SNNs typically require many fewer operations and are the better candidates to process spatio-temporal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Tavanaei
- School of Computing and Informatics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA.
| | - Masoud Ghodrati
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Saeed Reza Kheradpisheh
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences and Computer, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Anthony Maida
- School of Computing and Informatics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
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37
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Vaquer-Alicea ADC, Vázquez-Torres R, Devarie-Hornedo M, Vicenty-Padilla JC, Santos-Vera B, María-Ríos C, Vélez-Hernández ME, Sacktor T, Jiménez-Rivera CA. aPKC-Mediated Persistent Increase in AMPA/NMDA Ratio in the VTA Participates in the Neuroadaptive Signal Necessary to Induce NAc Synaptic Plasticity After Cocaine Administration. Neuroscience 2018; 392:129-140. [PMID: 30243909 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chronic cocaine exposure produces enduring neuroadaptations in the brain's reward system. Persistence of early cocaine-evoked neuroadaptations in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is necessary for later synaptic alterations in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), suggesting a temporal sequence of neuroplastic changes between these two areas. However, the molecular nature of the signal that mediates this sequential event is unknown. Here we used the behavioral sensitization model and the aPKC inhibitor of late-phase LTP maintenance, ZIP, to investigate if a persistent increase in AMPA/NMDA ratio plays a role in the molecular mechanism that allows VTA neuroadaptations to induce changes in the NAc. Results showed that intra-VTA ZIP microinfusion successfully blocked cocaine-evoked synaptic enhancement in the VTA and the expected AMPA/NMDA ratio decrease in the NAc following cocaine sensitization. ZIP microinfusions also blocked the expected AMPA/NMDA ratio increase in the NAc following cocaine withdrawal. These results suggest that a persistent increase in AMPA/NMDA ratio, mediated by aPKCs, could be the molecular signal that enables the VTA to elicit synaptic alterations in the NAc following cocaine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Del C Vaquer-Alicea
- Department of Physiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Rafael Vázquez-Torres
- Department of Physiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marcos Devarie-Hornedo
- School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Juan C Vicenty-Padilla
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Bermary Santos-Vera
- Department of Physiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Cristina María-Ríos
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria E Vélez-Hernández
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Houston-Victoria, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Todd Sacktor
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Carlos A Jiménez-Rivera
- Department of Physiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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38
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Francis TC, Gantz SC, Moussawi K, Bonci A. Synaptic and intrinsic plasticity in the ventral tegmental area after chronic cocaine. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 54:66-72. [PMID: 30237117 PMCID: PMC10131346 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine exposure induces persistent changes in synaptic transmission and intrinsic properties of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons. Despite significant progress in understanding cocaine-induced plasticity, an effective treatment of cocaine addiction is lacking. Chronic cocaine potentiates excitatory and alters inhibitory transmission to dopamine neurons, induces dopamine neuron hyperexcitability, and reduces dopamine release in projection areas. Understanding how intrinsic and synaptic plasticity interact to control dopamine neuron firing and dopamine release could prove useful in the development of new therapeutics. In this review, we examine recent literature discussing cocaine-induced plasticity in the VTA and highlight potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner Chase Francis
- Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Stephanie C Gantz
- Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Khaled Moussawi
- Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Antonello Bonci
- Intramural Research Program, Synaptic Plasticity Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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39
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Baur K, Hach A, Bernardi RE, Spanagel R, Bading H, Bengtson CP. c-Fos marking of identified midbrain neurons coactive after nicotine administration in-vivo. J Comp Neurol 2018; 526:2019-2031. [PMID: 29888787 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite the reduced life expectancy and staggering financial burden of medical treatment associated with tobacco smoking, the molecular, cellular, and ensemble adaptations associated with chronic nicotine consumption remain poorly understood. Complex circuitry interconnecting dopaminergic and cholinergic regions of the midbrain and mesopontine tegmentum are critical for nicotine associated reward. Yet our knowledge of the nicotine activation of these regions is incomplete, in part due to their cell type diversity. We performed double immunohistochemistry for the immediate early gene and surrogate activity sensor, c-Fos, and markers for either cholinergic, dopaminergic or GABAergic cell types in mice treated with nicotine. Both acute (0.5 mg/kg) and chronic (0.5 mg/kg/day for 7 days) nicotine strongly activated GABAergic neurons of the interpeduncular nucleus and medial terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract (MT). Acute but not chronic nicotine also activated small percentages of dopaminergic and other neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as well as noncholinergic neurons in the pedunculotegmental and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei (PTg/LDTg). Twenty four hours of nicotine withdrawal after chronic nicotine treatment suppressed c-Fos activation in the MT. In comparison to nicotine, a single dose of cocaine caused a similar activation in the PTg/LDTg but not the VTA where GABAergic cells were strongly activated but dopaminergic neurons were not affected. These results indicate the existence of drug of abuse specific ensembles. The loss of ensemble activation in the VTA and PTg/LDTg after chronic nicotine represents a molecular and cellular tolerance which may have implications for the mechanisms underlying nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Baur
- Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arian Hach
- Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rick E Bernardi
- Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hilmar Bading
- Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C Peter Bengtson
- Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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40
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Zappacosta S, Mannella F, Mirolli M, Baldassarre G. General differential Hebbian learning: Capturing temporal relations between events in neural networks and the brain. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006227. [PMID: 30153263 PMCID: PMC6130884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning in biologically relevant neural-network models usually relies on Hebb learning rules. The typical implementations of these rules change the synaptic strength on the basis of the co-occurrence of the neural events taking place at a certain time in the pre- and post-synaptic neurons. Differential Hebbian learning (DHL) rules, instead, are able to update the synapse by taking into account the temporal relation, captured with derivatives, between the neural events happening in the recent past. The few DHL rules proposed so far can update the synaptic weights only in few ways: this is a limitation for the study of dynamical neurons and neural-network models. Moreover, empirical evidence on brain spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) shows that different neurons express a surprisingly rich repertoire of different learning processes going far beyond existing DHL rules. This opens up a second problem of how capturing such processes with DHL rules. Here we propose a general DHL (G-DHL) rule generating the existing rules and many others. The rule has a high expressiveness as it combines in different ways the pre- and post-synaptic neuron signals and derivatives. The rule flexibility is shown by applying it to various signals of artificial neurons and by fitting several different STDP experimental data sets. To these purposes, we propose techniques to pre-process the neural signals and capture the temporal relations between the neural events of interest. We also propose a procedure to automatically identify the rule components and parameters that best fit different STDP data sets, and show how the identified components might be used to heuristically guide the search of the biophysical mechanisms underlying STDP. Overall, the results show that the G-DHL rule represents a useful means to study time-sensitive learning processes in both artificial neural networks and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Zappacosta
- Laboratory of Computational Embodied Neuroscience, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (LOCEN-ISTC-CNR), Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Mannella
- Laboratory of Computational Embodied Neuroscience, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (LOCEN-ISTC-CNR), Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Mirolli
- Laboratory of Computational Embodied Neuroscience, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (LOCEN-ISTC-CNR), Roma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Baldassarre
- Laboratory of Computational Embodied Neuroscience, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (LOCEN-ISTC-CNR), Roma, Italy
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41
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Underhill SM, Ingram SL, Ahmari SE, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Amara SG. Neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3: Emerging functions in health and disease. Neurochem Int 2018; 123:69-76. [PMID: 29800605 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Underhill
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Susanne E Ahmari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Room 227, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit 78, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Susan G Amara
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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42
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Matikainen-Ankney BA, Kravitz AV. Persistent effects of obesity: a neuroplasticity hypothesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1428:221-239. [PMID: 29741270 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is a leading cause of health problems in the United States, increasing the risk of cardiovascular, endocrine, and psychiatric diseases. Although many people lose weight through changes in diet and lifestyle, keeping the weight off remains a challenge. Here, we discuss a hypothesis that seeks to explain why obesity is so persistent. There is a great degree of overlap in the circuits implicated in substance use disorder and obesity, and neural plasticity of these circuits in response to drugs of abuse is well documented. We hypothesize that obesity is also associated with neural plasticity in these circuits, and this may underlie persistent changes in behavior, energy balance, and body weight. Here, we discuss how obesity-associated reductions in motivation and physical activity may be rooted in neurophysiological alterations in these circuits. Such plasticity may alter how humans and animals use, expend, and store energy, even after weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A Matikainen-Ankney
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alexxai V Kravitz
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.,National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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43
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Polter AM, Barcomb K, Tsuda AC, Kauer JA. Synaptic function and plasticity in identified inhibitory inputs onto VTA dopamine neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 47:1208-1218. [PMID: 29480954 PMCID: PMC6487867 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons are key components of the reward pathway, and their activity is powerfully controlled by a diverse array of inhibitory GABAergic inputs. Two major sources of GABAergic nerve terminals within the VTA are local VTA interneurons and neurons in the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). Here, using optogenetics, we compared synaptic properties of GABAergic synapses on VTA dopamine neurons using selective activation of afferents that originate from these two cell populations. We found little evidence of co-release of glutamate from either input, but RMTg-originating synaptic currents were reduced by strychnine, suggesting co-release of glycine and GABA. VTA-originating synapses displayed a lower initial release probability, and at higher frequency stimulation, short-term depression was more marked in VTA- but not RMTg-originating synapses. We previously reported that nitric oxide (NO)-induced potentiation of GABAergic synapses on VTA dopaminergic cells is lost after exposure to drugs of abuse or acute stress; in these experiments, multiple GABAergic afferents were simultaneously activated by electrical stimulation. Here we found that optogenetically-activated VTA-originating synapses on presumptive dopamine neurons also exhibited NO-induced potentiation, whereas RMTg-originating synapses did not. Despite providing a robust inhibitory input to the VTA, RMTg GABAergic synapses are most likely not those previously shown by our work to be persistently altered by addictive drugs and stress. Our work emphasises the idea that dopamine neuron excitability is controlled by diverse inhibitory inputs expected to exert varying degrees of inhibition and to participate differently in a range of behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail M. Polter
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology Providence, RI 02912
- current address: George Washington University, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Washington, DC 20037
- contributed equally
| | - Kelsey Barcomb
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology Providence, RI 02912
- contributed equally
| | - Ayumi C. Tsuda
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology Providence, RI 02912
| | - Julie A. Kauer
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology Providence, RI 02912
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44
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Monday HR, Younts TJ, Castillo PE. Long-Term Plasticity of Neurotransmitter Release: Emerging Mechanisms and Contributions to Brain Function and Disease. Annu Rev Neurosci 2018; 41:299-322. [PMID: 29709205 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-080317-062155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Long-lasting changes of brain function in response to experience rely on diverse forms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Chief among them are long-term potentiation and long-term depression of neurotransmitter release, which are widely expressed by excitatory and inhibitory synapses throughout the central nervous system and can dynamically regulate information flow in neural circuits. This review article explores recent advances in presynaptic long-term plasticity mechanisms and contributions to circuit function. Growing evidence indicates that presynaptic plasticity may involve structural changes, presynaptic protein synthesis, and transsynaptic signaling. Presynaptic long-term plasticity can alter the short-term dynamics of neurotransmitter release, thereby contributing to circuit computations such as novelty detection, modifications of the excitatory/inhibitory balance, and sensory adaptation. In addition, presynaptic long-term plasticity underlies forms of learning and its dysregulation participates in several neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, autism, intellectual disabilities, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Monday
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA;
| | - Thomas J Younts
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA;
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45
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VTA mTOR Signaling Regulates Dopamine Dynamics, Cocaine-Induced Synaptic Alterations, and Reward. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1066-1077. [PMID: 29039413 PMCID: PMC5854804 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates long-term synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory by controlling dendritic protein synthesis. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin has been shown to attenuate the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse, including cocaine. Using viral vectors to selectively delete mTOR in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in adult male mTORloxP/loxP mice, we investigated the role of mTOR in regulating neuronal morphology, basal synaptic transmission, dopamine dynamics, and cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity and rewarding effects. We find that targeted deletion of mTOR in the VTA had no significant effects on soma size and dendritic morphology of VTA neurons but significantly decreased dopamine release and reuptake in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, a major target region. Western blot analysis revealed that mTOR deletion led to decreases in phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase (pTH-Ser40) levels in the VTA and dopamine transporter expression in the NAc. mTOR deletion had no significant effects on basal excitatory transmission in VTA dopamine neurons but caused an increase in GABAergic inhibition because of an increase in VTA GABAergic neuron firing. Furthermore, mTOR deletion attenuated conditioned place preference to cocaine and cocaine-induced potentiation of excitation and reduction of GABAergic inhibition in VTA dopamine neurons. Taken together, these results suggest that loss of mTOR in the VTA shifts the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission and decreases dopamine release and reuptake in the NAc. In addition, VTA mTOR signaling regulates cocaine-cue associative learning and cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity in VTA dopamine neurons.
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Cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization associates with slow oscillatory firing of neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3274. [PMID: 29459754 PMCID: PMC5818474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21592-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The initiation of psychostimulant sensitization depends on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system. Although many cellular adaptations has been reported to be associated with this addictive behavior, the overall influence of these adaptations on the network regulation of DA neurons has not been established. Here, we profile a network-driven slow oscillation (SO) in the firing activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) putative DA and non-DA neurons and their correlation with locomotor sensitization induced by repeated administration of cocaine. One day after the last cocaine injection, the power of SO (Pso) significantly increased both in DA and non-DA neurons. Interestingly, the Pso in DA neurons was positively correlated, while Pso in non-DA neurons was negatively correlated with the level of locomotor sensitization. On the other hand, the firing rates of DA and non-DA neurons were both elevated, but none exhibited any correlation with the level of sensitization. Fourteen days after the last injection, the Pso of DA neurons dissipated but still positively correlated with the level of sensitization. In contrast, the Pso in non-DA neurons lost correlation with locomotor sensitization. These results suggest that cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization is associated with long-term network adaptation in DA system and that DA and non-DA neurons may corporately facilitate/hamper the initiation of locomotor sensitization.
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Jones EV, Bernardinelli Y, Zarruk JG, Chierzi S, Murai KK. SPARC and GluA1-Containing AMPA Receptors Promote Neuronal Health Following CNS Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:22. [PMID: 29449802 PMCID: PMC5799273 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The proper formation and maintenance of functional synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) requires communication between neurons and astrocytes and the ability of astrocytes to release neuromodulatory molecules. Previously, we described a novel role for the astrocyte-secreted matricellular protein SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) in regulating α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) and plasticity at developing synapses. SPARC is highly expressed by astrocytes and microglia during CNS development but its level is reduced in adulthood. Interestingly, SPARC has been shown to be upregulated in CNS injury and disease. However, the role of SPARC upregulation in these contexts is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic SPARC administration on glutamate receptors on mature hippocampal neuron cultures and following CNS injury. We found that SPARC treatment increased the number of GluA1-containing AMPARs at synapses and enhanced synaptic function. Furthermore, we determined that the increase in synaptic strength induced by SPARC could be inhibited by Philanthotoxin-433, a blocker of homomeric GluA1-containing AMPARs. We then investigated the effect of SPARC treatment on neuronal health in an injury context where SPARC expression is upregulated. We found that SPARC levels are increased in astrocytes and microglia following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro. Remarkably, chronic pre-treatment with SPARC prevented OGD-induced loss of synaptic GluA1. Furthermore, SPARC treatment reduced neuronal death through Philanthotoxin-433 sensitive GluA1 receptors. Taken together, this study suggests a novel role for SPARC and GluA1 in promoting neuronal health and recovery following CNS damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma V Jones
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Juan G Zarruk
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sabrina Chierzi
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Keith K Murai
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Guzman D, Carreira MB, Friedman AK, Adachi M, Neve RL, Monteggia LM, Han MH, Cowan CW, Self DW. Inactivation of NMDA Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area during Cocaine Self-Administration Prevents GluA1 Upregulation but with Paradoxical Increases in Cocaine-Seeking Behavior. J Neurosci 2018; 38:575-585. [PMID: 29196318 PMCID: PMC5777111 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2828-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine self-administration increases expression of GluA1 subunits in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, which subsequently enhance the motivation for cocaine. This increase in GluA1 may be dependent on concomitant NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation during self-administration, similar to cocaine-induced long-term potentiation in the VTA. In this study, we used viral-mediated expression of a dominant-negative GluN1 subunit (HSV-dnGluN1) in VTA neurons to study the effect of transient NMDAR inactivation on the GluA1 increases induced by chronic cocaine self-administration in male rats. We found that dnGluN1 expression in the VTA limited to the 3 weeks of cocaine self-administration prevents the subsequent increase in tissue GluA1 levels when compared with control infusions of HSV-LacZ. Surprisingly, dnGluN1 expression led to an enhancement in the motivation to self-administer cocaine as measured using a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule and to enhanced cocaine seeking measured in extinction/reinstatement tests following an extended 3 week withdrawal period. Despite blocking tissue GluA1 increases in cocaine self-administering animals, the HSV-dnGluN1 treatment resulted in increased membrane levels of GluA1 and GluN2B, along with markedly higher locomotor responses to intra-VTA infusions of AMPA, suggesting a paradoxical increase in VTA AMPA receptor responsiveness. Together, these data suggest that NMDARs mediate cocaine-induced increases in VTA GluA1 expression, but such transient NMDAR inactivation also leads to compensatory scaling of synaptic AMPA receptors that enhance the motivational for cocaine.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are critical substrates of drug rewards. Animal models indicate that chronic cocaine use enhances excitatory glutamatergic input to these neurons, making them more susceptible to environmental stimuli that trigger drug craving and relapse. We previously found that self-administration of cocaine increases AMPA glutamate receptors in the VTA, and this effect enhances motivation for cocaine. Here we report that the mechanism for this upregulation involves NMDA receptor activity during cocaine use. While interference with NMDA receptor function blocks AMPA receptor upregulation, it also produces a paradoxical enhancement in membrane AMPA receptor subunits, AMPA responsiveness, and the motivation for cocaine. Thus, pharmacotherapy targeting NMDA receptors may inadvertently produce substantial adverse consequences for cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Guzman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Maria B Carreira
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Allyson K Friedman
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine, and
| | - Megumi Adachi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Lisa M Monteggia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine, and
- Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, and
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - David W Self
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390,
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Jin W, Kim MS, Jang EY, Lee JY, Lee JG, Kim HY, Yoon SS, Lee BH, Chang S, Kim JH, Choi KH, Koo H, Gwak YS, Steffensen SC, Ryu YH, Kim HY, Yang CH. Acupuncture reduces relapse to cocaine-seeking behavior via activation of GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Addict Biol 2018; 23:165-181. [PMID: 28271626 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
There is growing public interest in alternative approaches to addiction treatment and scientific interest in elucidating the neurobiological underpinnings of acupuncture. Our previous studies showed that acupuncture at a specific Shenmen (HT7) points reduced dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) induced by drugs of abuse. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of HT7 acupuncture on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuronal activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. Using microdialysis and in vivo single-unit electrophysiology, we evaluated the effects of HT7 acupuncture on VTA GABA and NAc DA release and VTA GABA neuronal activity in rats. Using a within-session reinstatement paradigm in rats self-administering cocaine, we evaluated the effects of HT7 stimulation on cocaine-primed reinstatement. Acupuncture at HT7 significantly reduced cocaine suppression of GABA release and GABA neuron firing rates in the VTA. HT7 acupuncture attenuated cocaine-primed reinstatement, which was blocked by VTA infusions of the selective GABAB receptor antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen. HT7 stimulation significantly decreased acute cocaine-induced DA release in the NAc, which was also blocked by 2-hydroxysaclofen. HT7 acupuncture also attenuated cocaine-induced sensitization of extracellular DA levels in the NAc. Moreover, HT7 acupuncture reduced both locomotor activity and neuronal activation in the NAc induced by acute cocaine in a needle-penetration depth-dependent fashion. These results suggest that acupuncture may suppress cocaine-induced DA release in the NAc and cocaine-seeking behavior through activation of VTA GABA neurons. Acupuncture may be an effective therapy to reduce cocaine relapse by enhancing GABAergic inhibition in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyju Jin
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Min Sun Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine; Wonkwang University; Iksan South Korea
| | - Eun Young Jang
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
- Convergence Research Center, College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Jun Yeon Lee
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Jin Gyeom Lee
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Hong Yu Kim
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Seong Shoon Yoon
- Research Center of Safety Pharmacology; Korea Institute of Toxicity; Daejeon South Korea
| | - Bong Hyo Lee
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Suchan Chang
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Jae Hyo Kim
- Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine; Wonkwang University; Iksan South Korea
| | - Kwang H. Choi
- Department of Psychiatry; Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda MD USA
| | - Ho Koo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine; Wonkwang University; Iksan South Korea
| | - Young Seob Gwak
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
- Convergence Research Center, College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Scott C. Steffensen
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience; Brigham Young University; Provo UT USA
| | - Yeon-Hee Ryu
- Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research; Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine; Daejeon South Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
- Convergence Research Center, College of Korean Medicine; Daegu Haany University; Daegu South Korea
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Resveratrol modulates cocaine-induced inhibitory synaptic plasticity in VTA dopamine neurons by inhibiting phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Sci Rep 2017; 7:15657. [PMID: 29142291 PMCID: PMC5688096 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a natural phytoalexin synthesized by plants, including grapes. It displays a wide range of neuroprotective benefits associated with anti-aging. Recent studies have shown that resveratrol regulates dopaminergic transmission and behavioral effects of drugs of abuse. The goal of the present study is to investigate whether and how resveratrol alters basal inhibitory synaptic transmission and cocaine-induced inhibitory synaptic plasticity in dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We report that resveratrol elevated cAMP levels by itself and further potentiated a forskolin-induced increase in cAMP levels in midbrain slices, consistent with reported effects of inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Resveratrol potentiated GABAA and GABAB-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in VTA dopamine neurons, and these effects were mediated by a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent enhancement of presynaptic GABA release. In addition, we found that resveratrol blocked endocannabinoid-mediated long-term synaptic depression in VTA dopamine neurons. Resveratrol pretreatments attenuated cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and blocked the cocaine-induced reduction of GABAergic inhibition in VTA dopamine neurons. Together, these results provide evidence that resveratrol modulates basal inhibitory synaptic transmission, cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity, and drug-cue associative learning.
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