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Engeln M, Ahmed SH. The multiple faces of footshock punishment in animal research on addiction. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 213:107955. [PMID: 38944108 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2024.107955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Continued drug use despite negative consequences is a hallmark of addiction commonly modelled in rodents using punished drug intake. Over the years, addiction research highlighted two subpopulations of punishment sensitive and resistant animals. While helpful to interrogate the neurobiology of drug-related behaviors, these procedures carry some weaknesses that need to be recognized and eventually defused. Mainly focusing on footshock-related work, we will first discuss the criteria used to define punishment-resistant animals and how their relative arbitrariness may impact our findings. With the overarching goal of improving our interpretation of the punishment-resistant phenotype, we will evaluate how tailored punishment protocols may better apprehend resistance to punishment, and how testing the robustness of punishment resistance could yield new results and strengthen interpretations. Second, we will question whether and to what extent punishment sensitivity, as currently defined, is reflective of abstinence and suggest that punishment resistance is, in fact, a prerequisite to model abstinence from addiction. Again, we will examine how challenging the robustness of the punishment-sensitive phenotype may help to better characterize it. Finally, we will evaluate whether diminished relapse-like behavior after repeated punishment-induced abstinence could not only contribute to better understand the mechanisms of abstinence, but also uniquely model progressive recovery (i.e., after repeated failed attempts at recovery) which is the norm in people with addiction. Altogether, by questioning the strengths and weaknesses of our models, we would like to open discussions on the different ways we interpret punishment sensitivity and resistance and the aspects that remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Engeln
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Serge H Ahmed
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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2
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Robbins TW, Banca P, Belin D. From compulsivity to compulsion: the neural basis of compulsive disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:313-333. [PMID: 38594324 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00807-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Compulsive behaviour, an apparently irrational perseveration in often maladaptive acts, is a potential transdiagnostic symptom of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction, and may reflect the severe manifestation of a dimensional trait termed compulsivity. In this Review, we examine the psychological basis of compulsions and compulsivity and their underlying neural circuitry using evidence from human neuroimaging and animal models. Several main elements of this circuitry are identified, focused on fronto-striatal systems implicated in goal-directed behaviour and habits. These systems include the orbitofrontal, prefrontal, anterior cingulate and insular cortices and their connections with the basal ganglia as well as sensoriomotor and parietal cortices and cerebellum. We also consider the implications for future classification of impulsive-compulsive disorders and their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Robbins
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Paula Banca
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Belin
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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3
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Harada M, Capdevila LS, Wilhelm M, Burdakov D, Patriarchi T. Stimulation of VTA dopamine inputs to LH upregulates orexin neuronal activity in a DRD2-dependent manner. eLife 2024; 12:RP90158. [PMID: 38567902 PMCID: PMC10990487 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Dopamine and orexins (hypocretins) play important roles in regulating reward-seeking behaviors. It is known that hypothalamic orexinergic neurons project to dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), where they can stimulate dopaminergic neuronal activity. Although there are reciprocal connections between dopaminergic and orexinergic systems, whether and how dopamine regulates the activity of orexin neurons is currently not known. Here we implemented an opto-Pavlovian task in which mice learn to associate a sensory cue with optogenetic dopamine neuron stimulation to investigate the relationship between dopamine release and orexin neuron activity in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). We found that dopamine release can be evoked in LH upon optogenetic stimulation of VTA dopamine neurons and is also naturally evoked by cue presentation after opto-Pavlovian learning. Furthermore, orexin neuron activity could also be upregulated by local stimulation of dopaminergic terminals in the LH in a way that is partially dependent on dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2). Our results reveal previously unknown orexinergic coding of reward expectation and unveil an orexin-regulatory axis mediated by local dopamine inputs in the LH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Harada
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | | | - Maria Wilhelm
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University and ETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Tommaso Patriarchi
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University and ETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
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Pandey S, Miller CA. Targeting the cytoskeleton as a therapeutic approach to substance use disorders. Pharmacol Res 2024; 202:107143. [PMID: 38499081 PMCID: PMC11034636 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107143] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) are chronic relapsing disorders governed by continually shifting cycles of positive drug reward experiences and drug withdrawal-induced negative experiences. A large body of research points to plasticity within systems regulating emotional, motivational, and cognitive processes as drivers of continued compulsive pursuit and consumption of substances despite negative consequences. This plasticity is observed at all levels of analysis from molecules to networks, providing multiple avenues for intervention in SUD. The cytoskeleton and its regulatory proteins within neurons and glia are fundamental to the structural and functional integrity of brain processes and are potentially the major drivers of the morphological and behavioral plasticity associated with substance use. In this review, we discuss preclinical studies that provide support for targeting the brain cytoskeleton as a therapeutic approach to SUD. We focus on the interplay between actin cytoskeleton dynamics and exposure to cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, opioids, and nicotine and highlight preclinical studies pointing to a wide range of potential therapeutic targets, such as nonmuscle myosin II, Rac1, cofilin, prosapip 1, and drebrin. These studies broaden our understanding of substance-induced plasticity driving behaviors associated with SUD and provide new research directions for the development of SUD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Pandey
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Courtney A Miller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States.
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5
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Daiwile AP, McCoy MT, Ladenheim B, Subramaniam J, Cadet JL. Incubation of methamphetamine craving in punishment-resistant individuals is associated with activation of specific gene networks in the rat dorsal striatum. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02455-2. [PMID: 38351172 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is characterized by loss of control over compulsive drug use. Here, we used a self-administration (SA) model to investigate transcriptional changes associated with the development of early and late compulsivity during contingent footshocks. Punishment initially separated methamphetamine taking rats into always shock-resistant (ASR) rats that continued active lever pressing and shock-sensitive (SS) rats that reduced their lever pressing. At the end of the punishment phase, rats underwent 15 days of forced abstinence at the end of which they were re-introduced to the SA paradigm followed by SA plus contingent shocks. Interestingly, 36 percent of the initial SS rats developed delayed shock-resistance (DSR). Of translational relevance, ASR rats showed more incubation of methamphetamine craving than DSR and always sensitive (AS) rats. RNA sequencing revealed increased striatal Rab37 and Dipk2b mRNA levels that correlated with incubation of methamphetamine craving. Interestingly, Bdnf mRNA levels showed HDAC2-dependent decreased expression in the AS rats. The present SA paradigm should help to elucidate the molecular substrates of early and late addiction-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul P Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Michael T McCoy
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jayanthi Subramaniam
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Gan Y, Dong Y, Dai S, Shi H, Li X, Wang F, Fu Y, Dong Y. The different cell-specific mechanisms of voluntary exercise and forced exercise in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropharmacology 2023; 240:109714. [PMID: 37690678 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109714] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Physical inactivity is a global epidemic. People who take the initiative to exercise will feel pleasure during the exercise process and stick with it for a long time, while people who passively ask for exercise will feel pain and cannot stick with it. However, the neural mechanisms underlying voluntary and forced exercise remain unclear. Here, we report that voluntary running increased the frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC) but decreased membrane excitability in D1R-MSNs, whereas D2R-MSNs did not change in mEPSC and membrane excitability. Forced running increased the frequency of mEPSC and membrane excitability in D2R-MSNs, but D1R-MSNs did not change, which may be the mechanism by which forced exercise has a non-rewarding effect. These findings provide new insights into how voluntary and forced exercise mediate reward and non-reward effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixia Gan
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yigang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shanghua Dai
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Haifeng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Fanglin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yingmei Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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Arnold ME, Schank JR. Aversion-associated drug and alcohol seeking in females. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101095. [PMID: 37558185 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Compulsive drug intake is characterized by the continuation of use regardless of negative consequences. This is modeled preclinically using procedures where a negative stimulus is delivered contingently with consumption of the reinforcer. In humans, women and men exhibit different drug taking behavior as it pertains to overall use, withdrawal symptoms, and rate of dependence. In substance use research, females have often been excluded from many studies due to concerns that circulating sex hormones may affect drug seeking behavior. However, the more recent inclusion of females in preclinical studies has identified interesting sex differences in aversion-resistant intake of drugs and alcohol. This review will serve to summarize key findings in aversion-related intake of alcohol, psychostimulants, and opioids in females by examining studies that have included female subjects. Further discussion will examine the effect of intake model, neuroanatomical pathways, and sex hormones in the expression of aversion-resistant drug and alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E Arnold
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jesse R Schank
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Gipson CD, Beckmann JS. Compulsion and substance use disorder: potential importance of boundary conditions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:432-433. [PMID: 36175552 PMCID: PMC9852242 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01462-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra D Gipson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | - Joshua S Beckmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Lucente E, Söderpalm B, Ericson M, Adermark L. Acute and chronic effects by nicotine on striatal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the female rat brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1104648. [PMID: 36710931 PMCID: PMC9877298 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tobacco use is in part a gendered activity, yet neurobiological studies outlining the effect by nicotine on the female brain are scarce. The aim of this study was to outline acute and sub-chronic effects by nicotine on the female rat brain, with special emphasis on neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), a key brain region with respect to the formation of habits. Methods In vivo microdialysis and ex vivo electrophysiology were performed in nicotine naïve female Wistar rats, and following sub-chronic nicotine exposure (0.36 mg/kg free base, 15 injections). Locomotor behavior was assessed at the first and last drug-exposure. Results Acute exposure to nicotine ex vivo depresses excitatory neurotransmission by reducing the probability of transmitter release. Bath applied nicotine furthermore facilitated long-term synaptic depression induced by high frequency stimulation (HFS-LTD). The cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist WIN55,212-2 produced a robust synaptic depression of evoked potentials, and HFS-LTD was blocked by the CB1R antagonist AM251, suggesting that HFS-LTD in the female rat DLS is endocannabinoid mediated. Sub-chronic exposure to nicotine in vivo produced behavioral sensitization and electrophysiological recordings performed after 2-8 days abstinence revealed a sustained depression of evoked population spike amplitudes in the DLS, with no concomitant change in paired pulse ratio. Rats receiving sub-chronic nicotine exposure further demonstrated an increased neurophysiological responsiveness to nicotine with respect to both dopaminergic- and glutamatergic signaling. However, a tolerance towards the plasticity facilitating property of bath applied nicotine was developed during sub-chronic nicotine exposure in vivo. In addition, the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole selectively facilitate HFS-LTD in slices from nicotine naïve rats, suggesting that the tolerance may be associated with changes in dopaminergic signaling. Conclusion Nicotine produces acute and sustained effects on striatal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the female rat brain, which may contribute to the establishment of persistent nicotine taking habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Lucente
- Integrative Neuroscience Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louise Adermark
- Integrative Neuroscience Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,*Correspondence: Louise Adermark, ✉
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Male DAT Val559 Mice Exhibit Compulsive Behavior under Devalued Reward Conditions Accompanied by Cellular and Pharmacological Changes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244059. [PMID: 36552823 PMCID: PMC9777203 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Identified across multiple psychiatric disorders, the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) Ala559Val substitution triggers non-vesicular, anomalous DA efflux (ADE), perturbing DA neurotransmission and behavior. We have shown that DAT Val559 mice display a waiting impulsivity and changes in cognitive performance associated with enhanced reward motivation. Here, utilizing a within-subject, lever-pressing paradigm designed to bias the formation of goal-directed or habitual behavior, we demonstrate that DAT Val559 mice modulate their nose poke behavior appropriately to match context, but demonstrate a perseverative checking behavior. Although DAT Val559 mice display no issues with the cognitive flexibility required to acquire and re-learn a visual pairwise discrimination task, devaluation of reward evoked habitual reward seeking in DAT Val559 mutants in operant tasks regardless of reinforcement schedule. The direct DA agonist apomorphine also elicits locomotor stereotypies in DAT Val559, but not WT mice. Our observation that dendritic spine density is increased in the dorsal medial striatum (DMS) of DAT Val559 mice speaks to an imbalance in striatal circuitry that might underlie the propensity of DAT Val559 mutants to exhibit compulsive behaviors when reward is devalued. Thus, DAT Val559 mice represent a model for dissection of how altered DA signaling perturbs circuits that normally balance habitual and goal-directed behaviors.
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