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Bendis PC, Zimmerman S, Onisiforou A, Zanos P, Georgiou P. The impact of estradiol on serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine systems. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1348551. [PMID: 38586193 PMCID: PMC10998471 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1348551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Estradiol, the most potent and prevalent member of the estrogen class of steroid hormones and is expressed in both sexes. Functioning as a neuroactive steroid, it plays a crucial role in modulating neurotransmitter systems affecting neuronal circuits and brain functions including learning and memory, reward and sexual behaviors. These neurotransmitter systems encompass the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic signaling pathways. Consequently, this review examines the pivotal role of estradiol and its receptors in the regulation of these neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Through a comprehensive analysis of current literature, we investigate the multifaceted effects of estradiol on key neurotransmitter signaling systems, namely serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. Findings from rodent models illuminate the impact of hormone manipulations, such as gonadectomy, on the regulation of neuronal brain circuits, providing valuable insights into the connection between hormonal fluctuations and neurotransmitter regulation. Estradiol exerts its effects by binding to three estrogen receptors: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), and G protein-coupled receptor (GPER). Thus, this review explores the promising outcomes observed with estradiol and estrogen receptor agonists administration in both gonadectomized and/or genetically knockout rodents, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues. Despite limited human studies on this topic, the findings underscore the significance of translational research in bridging the gap between preclinical findings and clinical applications. This approach offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between estradiol and neurotransmitter systems. The integration of evidence from neurotransmitter systems and receptor-specific effects not only enhances our understanding of the neurobiological basis of physiological brain functioning but also provides a comprehensive framework for the understanding of possible pathophysiological mechanisms resulting to disease states. By unraveling the complexities of estradiol's impact on neurotransmitter regulation, this review contributes to advancing the field and lays the groundwork for future research aimed at refining understanding of the relationship between estradiol and neuronal circuits as well as their involvement in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Christine Bendis
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Sydney Zimmerman
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anna Onisiforou
- Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Panos Zanos
- Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Dazzi L, Sanna F, Talani G, Bassareo V, Biggio F, Follesa P, Pisu MG, Porcu P, Puliga R, Quartu M, Serra M, Serra MP, Sanna E, Acquas E. Binge-like administration of alcohol mixed to energy drinks to male adolescent rats severely impacts on mesocortical dopaminergic function in adulthood: A behavioral, neurochemical and electrophysiological study. Neuropharmacology 2024; 243:109786. [PMID: 37952712 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109786] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that the practice of consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks (ED) (AMED) in a binge drinking pattern is significantly diffusing among the adolescent population. This behavior, aimed at increasing the intake of alcohol, raises serious concerns about its long-term effects. Epidemiological studies suggest that AMED consumption might increase vulnerability to alcohol abuse and have a gating effect on the use of illicit drugs. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in the modulation of the reinforcing effects of alcohol and of impulsive behavior and plays a key role in the development of addiction. In our study, we used a binge-like protocol of administration of alcohol, ED, or AMED in male adolescent rats, to mimic the binge-like intake behavior observed in humans, in order to evaluate whether these treatments could differentially affect the function of mesocortical dopaminergic neurons in adulthood. We did so by measuring: i) physiological sensorimotor gating; ii) voluntary alcohol consumption and dopamine transmission before, during, and after presentation of alcohol; iii) electrophysiological activity of VTA dopaminergic neurons and their sensitivity to a challenge with alcohol. Our results indicate that exposure to alcohol, ED, or AMED during adolescence induces differential adaptive changes in the function of mesocortical dopaminergic neurons and, in particular, that AMED exposure decreases their sensitivity to external stimuli, possibly laying the foundation for the altered behaviors observed in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Dazzi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Talani
- Institute of Neuroscience - National Research Council (C.N.R.) of Italy, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Valentina Bassareo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Biggio
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paolo Follesa
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppina Pisu
- Institute of Neuroscience - National Research Council (C.N.R.) of Italy, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Institute of Neuroscience - National Research Council (C.N.R.) of Italy, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberta Puliga
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enrico Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience - National Research Council (C.N.R.) of Italy, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Elio Acquas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, SS 554 - bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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3
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Mastwal S, Li X, Stowell R, Manion M, Zhang W, Kim NS, Yoon KJ, Song H, Ming GL, Wang KH. Adolescent neurostimulation of dopamine circuit reverses genetic deficits in frontal cortex function. eLife 2023; 12:RP87414. [PMID: 37830916 PMCID: PMC10575630 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87414] [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: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine system dysfunction is implicated in adolescent-onset neuropsychiatric disorders. Although psychosis symptoms can be alleviated by antipsychotics, cognitive symptoms remain unresponsive and novel paradigms investigating the circuit substrates underlying cognitive deficits are critically needed. The frontal cortex and its dopaminergic input from the midbrain are implicated in cognitive functions and undergo maturational changes during adolescence. Here, we used mice carrying mutations in Arc or Disc1 to model mesofrontal dopamine circuit deficiencies and test circuit-based neurostimulation strategies to restore cognitive functions. We found that in a memory-guided spatial navigation task, frontal cortical neurons were activated coordinately at the decision-making point in wild-type but not Arc-/- mice. Chemogenetic stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons or optogenetic stimulation of frontal cortical dopamine axons in a limited adolescent period consistently reversed genetic defects in mesofrontal innervation, task-coordinated neuronal activity, and memory-guided decision-making at adulthood. Furthermore, adolescent stimulation of dopamine neurons also reversed the same cognitive deficits in Disc1+/- mice. Our findings reveal common mesofrontal circuit alterations underlying the cognitive deficits caused by two different genes and demonstrate the feasibility of adolescent neurostimulation to reverse these circuit and behavioral deficits. These results may suggest developmental windows and circuit targets for treating cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surjeet Mastwal
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Xinjian Li
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Rianne Stowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
| | - Matthew Manion
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Wenyu Zhang
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
| | - Nam-Shik Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Ki-Jun Yoon
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Kuan Hong Wang
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
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4
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Santos-Toscano R, Arevalo MA, Garcia-Segura LM, Grassi D, Lagunas N. Interaction of gonadal hormones, dopaminergic system, and epigenetic regulation in the generation of sex differences in substance use disorders: A systematic review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101085. [PMID: 37543184 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic condition characterized by pathological drug-taking and seeking behaviors. Remarkably different between males and females, suggesting that drug addiction is a sexually differentiated disorder. The neurobiological bases of sex differences in SUD include sex-specific reward system activation, influenced by interactions between gonadal hormone level changes, dopaminergic reward circuits, and epigenetic modifications of key reward system genes. This systematic review, adhering to PICOS and PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines, highlights the sex-dependent roles of estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone in SUD. In particular, estradiol elevates and progesterone reduces dopaminergic activity in SUD females, whilst testosterone and progesterone augment SUD behavior in males. Finally, SUD is associated with a sex-specific increase in the rate of opioid and monoaminergic gene methylation. The study reveals the need for detailed research on gonadal hormone levels, dopaminergic or reward system activity, and epigenetic landscapes in both sexes for efficient SUD therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos-Toscano
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, 135A Adelphi St, Preston PR1 7BH, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Grassi
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natalia Lagunas
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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5
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Finn DA. Stress and gonadal steroid influences on alcohol drinking and withdrawal, with focus on animal models in females. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101094. [PMID: 37558184 PMCID: PMC10840953 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic effects of alcohol, following binge drinking, chronic intoxication, and withdrawal, are documented at the level of the transcriptome and in behavioral and physiological responses. The purpose of the current review is to update and to expand upon contributions of the endocrine system to alcohol drinking and withdrawal in females, with a focus on animal models. Steroids important in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes, the reciprocal interactions between these axes, the effects of chronic alcohol use on steroid levels, and the genomic and rapid membrane-associated effects of steroids and neurosteroids in models of alcohol drinking and withdrawal are described. Importantly, comparison between males and females highlight some divergent effects of sex- and stress-steroids on alcohol drinking- and withdrawal-related behaviors, and the distinct differences in response emphasize the importance of considering sex in the development of novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Finn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States; Department of Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States.
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6
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Mastwal S, Li X, Stowell R, Manion M, Zhang W, Kim NS, Yoon KJ, Song H, Ming GL, Wang KH. Adolescent neurostimulation of dopamine circuit reverses genetic deficits in frontal cortex function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.03.526987. [PMID: 36778456 PMCID: PMC9915739 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.03.526987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine system dysfunction is commonly implicated in adolescent-onset neuropsychiatric disorders. Although psychosis symptoms can be alleviated by antipsychotics, cognitive symptoms remain unresponsive to such pharmacological treatments and novel research paradigms investigating the circuit substrates underlying cognitive deficits are critically needed. The frontal cortex and its dopaminergic input from the midbrain are implicated in cognitive functions and undergo maturational changes during adolescence. Here, we used mice carrying mutations in the Arc or DISC1 genes to model mesofrontal dopamine circuit deficiencies and test circuit-based neurostimulation strategies to restore cognitive functions. We found that in a memory-guided spatial navigation task, frontal cortical neurons were activated coordinately at the decision-making point in wild-type but not Arc mutant mice. Chemogenetic stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons or optogenetic stimulation of frontal cortical dopamine axons in a limited adolescent period consistently reversed genetic defects in mesofrontal innervation, task-coordinated neuronal activity, and memory-guided decision-making at adulthood. Furthermore, adolescent stimulation of dopamine neurons also reversed the same cognitive deficits in DISC1 mutant mice. Our findings reveal common mesofrontal circuit alterations underlying the cognitive deficits caused by two different genes and demonstrate the feasibility of adolescent neurostimulation to reverse these circuit and behavioral deficits. These results may suggest developmental windows and circuit targets for treating cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surjeet Mastwal
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Xinjian Li
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Rianne Stowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Matthew Manion
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Wenyu Zhang
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Nam-Shik Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ki-jun Yoon
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Guo-li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kuan Hong Wang
- Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642
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7
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Pletzer B, Winkler-Crepaz K, Hillerer K. Progesterone and contraceptive progestin actions on the brain: A systematic review of animal studies and comparison to human neuroimaging studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101060. [PMID: 36758768 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
In this review we systematically summarize the effects of progesterone and synthetic progestins on neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, myelination and six neurotransmitter systems. Several parallels between progesterone and older generation progestin actions emerged, suggesting actions via progesterone receptors. However, existing results suggest a general lack of knowledge regarding the effects of currently used progestins in hormonal contraception regarding these cellular and molecular brain parameters. Human neuroimaging studies were reviewed with a focus on randomized placebo-controlled trials and cross-sectional studies controlling for progestin type. The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, salience network and hippocampus were identified as regions of interest for future preclinical studies. This review proposes a series of experiments to elucidate the cellular and molecular actions of contraceptive progestins in these areas and link these actions to behavioral markers of emotional and cognitive functioning. Emotional effects of contraceptive progestins appear to be related to 1) alterations in the serotonergic system, 2) direct/indirect modulations of inhibitory GABA-ergic signalling via effects on the allopregnanolone content of the brain, which differ between androgenic and anti-androgenic progestins. Cognitive effects of combined oral contraceptives appear to depend on the ethinylestradiol dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, Salzburg Austria.
| | | | - Katharina Hillerer
- Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Private Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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8
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Estrous Cycle Mediates Midbrain Neuron Excitability Altering Social Behavior upon Stress. J Neurosci 2023; 43:736-748. [PMID: 36549906 PMCID: PMC9899085 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1504-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrous cycle is a potent modulator of neuron physiology. In rodents, in vivo ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) activity has been shown to fluctuate across the estrous cycle. Although the behavioral effect of fluctuating sex steroids on the reward circuit is well studied in response to drugs of abuse, few studies have focused on the molecular adaptations in the context of stress and motivated social behaviors. We hypothesized that estradiol fluctuations across the estrous cycle acts on the dopaminergic activity of the VTA to alter excitability and stress response. We used whole-cell slice electrophysiology of VTA DA neurons in naturally cycling, adult female C57BL/6J mice to characterize the effects of the estrous cycle and the role of 17β-estradiol on neuronal activity. We show that the estrous phase alters the effect of 17β-estradiol on excitability in the VTA. Behaviorally, the estrous phase during a series of acute variable social stressors modulates subsequent reward-related behaviors. Pharmacological inhibition of estrogen receptors in the VTA before stress during diestrus mimics the stress susceptibility found during estrus, whereas increased potassium channel activity in the VTA before stress reverses stress susceptibility found during estrus as assessed by social interaction behavior. This study identifies one possible potassium channel mechanism underlying the increased DA activity during estrus and reveals estrogen-dependent changes in neuronal function. Our findings demonstrate that the estrous cycle and estrogen signaling changes the physiology of DA neurons resulting in behavioral differences when the reward circuit is challenged with stress.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The activity of the ventral tegmental area encodes signals of stress and reward. Dopaminergic activity has been found to be regulated by both local synaptic inputs as well as inputs from other brain regions. Here, we provide evidence that cycling sex steroids also play a role in modulating stress sensitivity of dopaminergic reward behavior. Specifically, we reveal a correlation of ionic activity with estrous phase, which influences the behavioral response to stress. These findings shed new light on how estrous cycle may influence dopaminergic activity primarily during times of stress perturbation.
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Hilz EN, Lee HJ. Estradiol and progesterone in female reward-learning, addiction, and therapeutic interventions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101043. [PMID: 36356909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones like estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) guide the sexual organization and activation of the developing brain and control female reproductive behavior throughout the lifecycle; importantly, these hormones modulate functional activity of not just the endocrine system, but most of the nervous system including the brain reward system. The effects of E2 and P4 can be seen in the processing of and memory for rewarding stimuli and in the development of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors like those seen in substance use disorders. Women are at increased risk of developing substance use disorders; however, the origins of this sex difference are not well understood and therapeutic interventions targeting ovarian hormones have produced conflicting results. This article reviews the contribution of the E2 and P4 in females to functional modulation of the brain reward system, their possible roles in origins of addiction vulnerability, and the development and treatment of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Hilz
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Pharmacology, USA.
| | - Hongjoo J Lee
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, USA; The University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Neuroscience, USA
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10
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Orsini CA, Truckenbrod LM, Wheeler AR. Regulation of sex differences in risk-based decision making by gonadal hormones: Insights from rodent models. Behav Processes 2022; 200:104663. [PMID: 35661794 PMCID: PMC9893517 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Men and women differ in their ability to evaluate options that vary in their rewards and the risks that are associated with these outcomes. Most studies have shown that women are more risk averse than men and that gonadal hormones significantly contribute to this sex difference. Gonadal hormones can influence risk-based decision making (i.e., risk taking) by modulating the neurobiological substrates underlying this cognitive process. Indeed, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone modulate activity in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens associated with reward and risk-related information. The use of animal models of decision making has advanced our understanding of the intersection between the behavioral, neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying sex differences in risk taking. This review will outline the current state of this literature, identify the current gaps in knowledge and suggest the neurobiological mechanisms by which hormones regulate risky decision making. Collectively, this knowledge can be used to understand the potential consequences of significant hormonal changes, whether endogenously or exogenously induced, on risk-based decision making as well as the neuroendocrinological basis of neuropsychiatric diseases that are characterized by impaired risk taking, such as substance use disorder and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A. Orsini
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Correspondence to: Department of Psychology & Neurology, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, 108 E. Dean Keaton St., Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA. (C.A. Orsini)
| | - Leah M. Truckenbrod
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Alexa-Rae Wheeler
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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11
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Onoda A, Hagiwara S, Kubota N, Yanagita S, Takeda K, Umezawa M. A Novel Staining Method for Detection of Brain Perivascular Injuries Induced by Nanoparticle: Periodic Acid-Schiff and Immunohistochemical Double-Staining. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:825984. [PMID: 35391824 PMCID: PMC8979793 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.825984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To protect developing brain from any unfavorable effects, it is necessary to construct experimental techniques that can sensitively detect and evaluate developmental toxicity. We have previously shown that brain perivascular tissues, especially perivascular macrophages (PVMs), respond sensitively even to weak stimuli by foreign toxicants such as low-dose exposure to nanoparticle. This paper shows the protocol of a novel staining method that enables easy detection and rapid evaluation of brain perivascular abnormalities.Methods: As weak stimulus, low-dose of carbon black nanoparticle (95 μg/kg) or titanium dioxide nanoparticle (100 μg/kg) was intranasally administered to pregnant mice at gestational days 5 and 9. The offspring brains were used to confirm the properties of PVMs and to find suitable protocols for the detection and evaluation of the mild denaturation of PVMs. Furthermore, various procedures of novel combinational double staining including periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry were examined. In addition, we checked the alterations in neurotransmitter levels and the behaviors of the offspring.Results and discussion: Maternal exposure to low-dose of nanoparticle at levels where no significant effects on the brain were observed, such as abnormal behavior, alteration of neurotransmitter levels, or microglial activation, resulted in mild denaturation of the PVMs, which was captured by PAS staining. However, it was difficult to detect and determine slight histopathological alterations. Therefore, we established PAS-immunohistochemical double-staining method for the brain. This double staining method enabled easy detection and rapid evaluation of brain perivascular abnormalities and the relationship between PVMs and the surrounding cells. In addition, this double staining allows evaluation of the histopathological denaturation of the PVMs and the associated abnormalities in the surrounding tissues in the same section.Conclusion: The slight responses of brain perivascular tissues, such as mild denaturation of PVMs, were sensitively and easily determined by the PAS-immunohistochemical double-staining method. This double staining method is a powerful tool to assess brain perivascular injuries including PVM denaturation and the relationship between the expression of various molecules and the morphology of PVMs. We propose that the observation of the tissue around brain blood vessels using the double staining provides potential endpoints to evaluate developmental neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuto Onoda
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Sanyo-Onoda, Japan
- *Correspondence: Atsuto Onoda,
| | - Shin Hagiwara
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Natsuko Kubota
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
- Institute of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Shinya Yanagita
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Institute of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Ken Takeda
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Sanyo-Onoda, Japan
| | - Masakazu Umezawa
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Peart DR, Andrade AK, Logan CN, Knackstedt LA, Murray JE. Regulation of Cocaine-related Behaviors by Estrogen and Progesterone. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104584. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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13
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Barros-Santos T, Libarino-Santos M, Anjos-Santos A, Lins JF, Leite JPC, Pacheco RC, Nascimento-Rocha V, Kisaki ND, Tamura EK, Oliveira-Lima AJ, Berro LF, Uetanabaro APT, Nicoli JR, Marinho EAV. Sex differences in the development of conditioned place preference induced by intragastric alcohol administration in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109105. [PMID: 34628094 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed to identify for the first time sex differences in the development of CPP induced by intragastric alcohol administration in mice. METHODS Male and female adult Swiss mice were submitted to 16 days of conditioning with alcohol (0.5-3.0 g/kg, N = 8/dose/sex), with 2 post-conditioning tests (after 8 and 16 sessions) during the protocol. RESULTS 8 days of conditioning (4 alcohol sessions, 4 saline sessions) with intragastric alcohol administration were sufficient to induce CPP in male mice at the doses of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg. However, only higher doses (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 g/kg) induced CPP in female mice using an 8-day conditioning protocol, while a 16-day conditioning protocol was necessary for the development of intragastric alcohol-induced CPP at the doses of 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg. Regardless of the conditioning protocol, higher doses or alcohol that had rewarding effects in females (2.5 and 3.0 g/kg) did not induce CPP in males, with a significant difference between males and females at those doses. Analysis of the potency (EC50) and efficacy (Emax) of alcohol in inducing CPP when administered intragastrically in male and female mice showed significant sex differences with 8 conditioning sessions. CONCLUSIONS Our data show a clear protocol (8 vs 16 days) and dose difference between male and female Swiss mice regarding the development of CPP induced by intragastric alcohol administration. Intragastric alcohol administration is closer to human drinking, and our protocol provides a more translational approach to studying the rewarding effects of alcohol in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaísa Barros-Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rod. Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Matheus Libarino-Santos
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Alexia Anjos-Santos
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Juliana F Lins
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - João P C Leite
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Roseliz C Pacheco
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Victor Nascimento-Rocha
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Natali D Kisaki
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Eduardo K Tamura
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Alexandre J Oliveira-Lima
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Laís F Berro
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
| | - Ana Paula T Uetanabaro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rod. Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Jacques R Nicoli
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Pampulha - Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A V Marinho
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. Ilhéus/Itabuna, Km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
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14
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Giacometti LL, Huh JW, Raghupathi R. Sex and estrous-phase dependent alterations in depression-like behavior following mild traumatic brain injury in adolescent rats. J Neurosci Res 2021; 100:490-505. [PMID: 34850450 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), high school and collegiate-aged females tend to report more emotional symptoms than males. Adolescent male and female rats (35 days old) were subjected to mild TBI and evaluated for anxiety- and depression-like behaviors using the elevated plus maze and forced swim test (FST), respectively, and cellular alterations. Injured brains did not exhibit an overt lesion, atrophy of tissue or astrocytic reactivity underneath the impact site at 6-week post-injury, suggestive of the mild nature of trauma. Neither male nor female brain-injured rats exhibited anxiety-like behavior at 2 or 6 weeks, regardless of estrous phase at the time of behavior testing. Brain-injured male rats did not exhibit any alterations in immobility, swimming and climbing times in the FST compared to sham-injured rats at either 2- or 6-week post-injury. Brain-injured female rats did, however, exhibit an increase in immobility (in the absence of changes in swimming and climbing times) in the FST at 6 weeks post-injury only during the estrus phase of the estrous cycle, suggestive of a depression-like phenotype. Combined administration of the estrogen receptor antagonist, tamoxifen, and the progesterone receptor antagonist, mifepristone, during proestrus was able to prevent the depression-like phenotype observed during estrus. Taken together, these data suggest that female rats may be more vulnerable to exhibiting behavioral deficits following mild TBI and that estrous phase may play a role in depression-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Giacometti
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jimmy W Huh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ramesh Raghupathi
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Li M, Qu Y, Zhong J, Che Z, Wang H, Xiao J, Wang F, Xiao J. Sex bias in alcohol research: A 20-year comparative study. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 63:100939. [PMID: 34411573 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to assess the sex-inclusive and sex-based analysis bias in alcohol research for the past 20 years. Data were abstracted from 2988 original research articles published from 2000 through 2019 in 51 representative journals across 9 biomedical disciplines. An analysis in 5-year intervals revealed that the percentage of studies using participants of both sexes was significantly higher between 2015 and 2019 than between 2000 and 2014. When stratified, clinical studies showed a higher percentage of both-sex studies compared to basic studies using animals. The reasons for the use of single-sex cohorts mainly included insufficient participant numbers and misconceptions surrounding the hormonal variability of females. Implementation of the NIH SABV policy promoted the ratio of NIH-funded papers with sex-based analyses. In conclusion, sex bias in alcohol-related biomedical studies has improved over the past 20 years, particularly after the implementation of the SABV policy. Although clinical studies increasingly included sex-based analysis, basic studies were biased towards the use of males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianhuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; Clinical Medical Research Institute and Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yibo Qu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiajun Zhong
- Clinical Medical Research Institute and Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaodi Che
- Clinical Medical Research Institute and Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Junjie Xiao
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jia Xiao
- Clinical Medical Research Institute and Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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16
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McLaurin KA, Harris M, Madormo V, Harrod SB, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. HIV-Associated Apathy/Depression and Neurocognitive Impairments Reflect Persistent Dopamine Deficits. Cells 2021; 10:2158. [PMID: 34440928 PMCID: PMC8392364 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are often plagued by debilitating neurocognitive impairments and affective alterations;the pathophysiology underlying these deficits likely includes dopaminergic system dysfunction. The present review utilized four interrelated aims to critically examine the evidence for dopaminergic alterations following HIV-1 viral protein exposure. First, basal dopamine (DA) values are dependent upon both brain region andexperimental approach (i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography, microdialysis or fast-scan cyclic voltammetry). Second, neurochemical measurements overwhelmingly support decreased DA concentrations following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure. Neurocognitive impairments, including alterations in pre-attentive processes and attention, as well as apathetic behaviors, provide an additional line of evidence for dopaminergic deficits in HIV-1. Third, to date, there is no compelling evidence that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the primary treatment regimen for HIV-1 seropositive individuals, has any direct pharmacological action on the dopaminergic system. Fourth, the infection of microglia by HIV-1 viral proteins may mechanistically underlie the dopamine deficit observed following chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure. An inclusive and critical evaluation of the literature, therefore, supports the fundamental conclusion that long-term HIV-1 viral protein exposure leads to a decreased dopaminergic state, which continues to persist despite the advent of cART. Thus, effective treatment of HIV-1-associated apathy/depression and neurocognitive impairments must focus on strategies for rectifying decreases in dopamine function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rosemarie M. Booze
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (K.A.M.); (M.H.); (V.M.); (S.B.H.); (C.F.M.)
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17
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Delevich K, Klinger M, Okada NJ, Wilbrecht L. Coming of age in the frontal cortex: The role of puberty in cortical maturation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 118:64-72. [PMID: 33985902 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Across species, adolescence is a period of growing independence that is associated with the maturation of cognitive, social, and affective processing. Reorganization of neural circuits within the frontal cortex is believed to contribute to the emergence of adolescent changes in cognition and behavior. While puberty coincides with adolescence, relatively little is known about which aspects of frontal cortex maturation are driven by pubertal development and gonadal hormones. In this review, we highlight existing work that suggests puberty plays a role in the maturation of specific cell types in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rodents, and highlight possible routes by which gonadal hormones influence frontal cortical circuit development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Delevich
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Madeline Klinger
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nana J Okada
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Linda Wilbrecht
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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18
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Radke AK, Sneddon EA, Frasier RM, Hopf FW. Recent Perspectives on Sex Differences in Compulsion-Like and Binge Alcohol Drinking. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073788. [PMID: 33917517 PMCID: PMC8038761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder remains a substantial social, health, and economic problem and problem drinking levels in women have been increasing in recent years. Understanding whether and how the underlying mechanisms that drive drinking vary by sex is critical and could provide novel, more targeted therapeutic treatments. Here, we examine recent results from our laboratories and others which we believe provide useful insights into similarities and differences in alcohol drinking patterns across the sexes. Findings for binge intake and aversion-resistant, compulsion-like alcohol drinking are considered, since both are likely significant contributors to alcohol problems in humans. We also describe studies regarding mechanisms that may underlie sex differences in maladaptive alcohol drinking, with some focus on the importance of nucleus accumbens (NAcb) core and shell regions, several receptor types (dopamine, orexin, AMPA-type glutamate), and possible contributions of sex hormones. Finally, we discuss how stressors such as early life stress and anxiety-like states may interact with sex differences to contribute to alcohol drinking. Together, these findings underscore the importance and critical relevance of studying female and male mechanisms for alcohol and co-morbid conditions to gain a true and clinically useful understanding of addiction and neuropsychiatric mechanisms and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Radke
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45040, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Elizabeth A. Sneddon
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45040, USA;
| | - Raizel M. Frasier
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.F.); (F.W.H.)
| | - Frederic W. Hopf
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.F.); (F.W.H.)
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19
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Sex- and age-dependent differences in nicotine susceptibility evoked by developmental exposure to tobacco smoke and/or ethanol in mice. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 12:940-951. [PMID: 33292889 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420001191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Either tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption during pregnancy sex-selectively increases susceptibility to drugs of abuse later in life. Considering that pregnant smoking women are frequently intermittent consumers of alcoholic beverages, here, we investigated whether a short-term ethanol exposure restricted to the brain growth spurt period when combined with chronic developmental exposure to tobacco smoke aggravates susceptibility to nicotine in adolescent and adult mice. Swiss male and female mice were exposed to tobacco smoke (SMK; research cigarettes 3R4F, whole-body exposure, 8 h/daily) or ambient air during the gestational period and until the tenth postnatal day (PN). Ethanol (ETOH, 2 g/Kg, 25%, i.p.) or saline was injected in the pups every other day from PN2 to PN10. There were no significant differences in cotinine (nicotine metabolite) and ethanol serum levels among SMK, ETOH and SMK + ETOH groups. During adolescence (PN30) and adulthood (PN90), nicotine (NIC, 0.5 mg/Kg) susceptibility was evaluated in the conditioned place preference and open field tests. NIC impact was more evident in females: SMK, ETOH and SMK + ETOH adolescent females were equally more susceptible to nicotine-induced place preference than control animals. At adulthood, SMK and SMK + ETOH adult females exhibited a nicotine-evoked hyperlocomotor profile in the open field, with a stronger effect in the SMK + ETOH group. Our results indicate that ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt, when combined to developmental exposure to tobacco smoke, increases nicotine susceptibility with stronger effects in adult females. This result represents a worsened outcome from the early developmental dual exposure and may predispose nicotine use/abuse later in life.
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20
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Slow electroencephalographic oscillations and behavioral measures as predictors of high executive processing in early postmenopausal females: A discriminant analysis approach. Brain Cogn 2020; 145:105613. [PMID: 32911233 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105613] [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: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Decline in cognitive function is frequent in early postmenopause. There are postmenopausal females who show high performance while others display low performance in executive function, modulated by the prefrontal cortex. These differences have led to confusing and inconclusive results, which have not been explained entirely by the decline in estrogens, which affect the prefrontal cortex functions. An analysis of brain function and the application of a discriminant analysis can help to clarify the deficits in executive function shown by some postmenopausal females. The objective was to examine electroencephalographic recording during the performance of an executive function test in early postmenopausal females, ten with a high level of performance and ten with a low level of performance. Absolute power of delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1 and beta2 and the numbers of completed categories, trials, perseverative errors and overall errors were submitted to stepwise discriminant analysis to identify predictor variables. Four predictors emerged as significant of group membership based on cognitive performance, with the high-performance group characterized by more completed categories, more delta power, less theta power and more alpha1 power. These findings suggest that postmenopausal females classified in the high-performance group displayed appropriate temporary activation in slow oscillations during executive processing.
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21
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Islas-Preciado D, Wainwright SR, Sniegocki J, Lieblich SE, Yagi S, Floresco SB, Galea LAM. Risk-based decision making in rats: Modulation by sex and amphetamine. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104815. [PMID: 32640197 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Decision-making is a complex process essential to daily adaptation in many species. Risk is an inherent aspect of decision-making and it is influenced by gonadal hormones. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol may modulate decision making and impact the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway. Here, we explored sex differences, the effect of gonadal hormones and the dopamine agonist amphetamine on risk-based decision making. Intact or gonadectomised (GDX) male and female rats underwent to a probabilistic discounting task. High and low doses of testosterone propionate (1.0 or 0.2 mg) and 17β-estradiol benzoate (0.3 μg) were administered to assess acute effects on risk-based decision making. After 3-days of washout period, intact and GDX rats received high or low (0.5 or 0.125 mg/kg) doses of amphetamine and re-tested in the probabilistic discounting task. Under baseline conditions, males made more risky choices during probability discounting compared to female rats, particularly in the lower probability blocks, but GDX did not influence risky choice. The high, but not the low dose, of testosterone modestly reduced risky decision making in GDX male rats. Conversely, 17β-estradiol had no significant effect on risky choice regardless of GDX status in either sex. Lastly, a higher dose of amphetamine increased risky decision making in both intact males and females, but had no effect in GDX rats. These findings demonstrated sex differences in risk-based decision making, with males showing a stronger bias toward larger, uncertain rewards. GDX status influenced the effects of amphetamine, suggesting different dopaminergic regulation in risk-based choices among males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dannia Islas-Preciado
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Steven R Wainwright
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Julia Sniegocki
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stephanie E Lieblich
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shunya Yagi
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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22
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Abstract
Sexually dimorphic effects of alcohol exposure throughout life have been documented in clinical and preclinical studies. In the past, rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) were higher in men than in women, but over the past 10 years, the difference between sexes in prevalence of AUD and binge drinking has narrowed. Recent evidence adds to historical data regarding the influence of sex steroids on alcohol drinking and the interaction with stress-related steroids. This review considers the contribution of the endocrine system to alcohol drinking in females, with a focus on the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and their reciprocal interactions. Emphasis is given to preclinical studies that examined genomic and rapid membrane effects of estrogen, progesterone, glucocorticoids, and GABAergic neurosteroids for their effects on alcohol drinking and models of relapse. Pertinent comparisons to data in males highlight divergent effects of sex and stress steroids on alcohol drinking and emphasize the importance of considering sex in the development of novel pharmacotherapeutic targets for the treatment of AUD. For instance, pharmacological strategies targeting the corticotropin releasing factor and glucocorticoid receptor systems may be differentially effective in males and females, whereas strategies to enhance GABAergic neurosteroids may represent a biomarker of treatment efficacy in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Finn
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
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23
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Vandegrift BJ, Hilderbrand ER, Satta R, Tai R, He D, You C, Chen H, Xu P, Coles C, Brodie MS, Lasek AW. Estrogen Receptor α Regulates Ethanol Excitation of Ventral Tegmental Area Neurons and Binge Drinking in Female Mice. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5196-5207. [PMID: 32482639 PMCID: PMC7329299 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2364-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevations in estrogen (17β-estradiol, E2) are associated with increased alcohol drinking by women and experimentally in rodents. E2 alters the activity of the dopamine system, including the VTA and its projection targets, which plays an important role in binge drinking. A previous study demonstrated that, during high E2 states, VTA neurons in female mice are more sensitive to ethanol excitation. However, the mechanisms responsible for the ability of E2 to enhance ethanol sensitivity of VTA neurons have not been investigated. In this study, we used selective agonists and antagonists to examine the role of ER subtypes (ERα and ERβ) in regulating the ethanol sensitivity of VTA neurons in female mice and found that ERα promotes the enhanced ethanol response of VTA neurons. We also demonstrated that enhancement of ethanol excitation requires the activity of the metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR1, which is known to couple with ERα at the plasma membrane. To investigate the behavioral relevance of these findings, we administered lentivirus-expressing short hairpin RNAs targeting either ERα or ERβ into the VTA and found that knockdown of each receptor in the VTA reduced binge-like ethanol drinking in female, but not male, mice. Reducing ERα in the VTA had a more dramatic effect on binge-like drinking than reducing ERβ, consistent with the ability of ERα to alter ethanol sensitivity of VTA neurons. These results provide important insight into sex-specific mechanisms that drive excessive alcohol drinking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Estrogen has potent effects on the dopamine system and increases the vulnerability of females to develop addiction to substances, such as alcohol. We investigated the mechanisms by which estrogen increases the response of neurons in the VTA to ethanol. We found that activation of the ERα increased the ethanol-induced excitation of VTA neurons. 17β-Estradiol-mediated enhancement of ethanol-induced excitation required the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1. We also demonstrated that ERs in the VTA regulate binge-like alcohol drinking by female, but not male, mice. The influence of ERs on binge drinking in female mice suggests that treatments for alcohol use disorder in women may need to account for this sex difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertha J Vandegrift
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics
| | | | - Rosalba Satta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
| | - Rex Tai
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
| | - Donghong He
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
| | - Chang You
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics
| | - Hu Chen
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
| | - Pingwen Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612
| | - Cassandre Coles
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
| | - Mark S Brodie
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry
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24
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The effect of standard laboratory diets on estrogen signaling and spatial memory in male and female rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 215:112787. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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25
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Yum SK, Yum SY, Kim T. The problem of medicating women like the men: conceptual discussion of menstrual cycle-dependent psychopharmacology. Transl Clin Pharmacol 2019; 27:127-133. [PMID: 32095480 PMCID: PMC7032965 DOI: 10.12793/tcp.2019.27.4.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While hormonal changes during the ovulatory cycles affect multiple body systems, medical management, including medication dosing remains largely uniform between the sexes. Little is known about sex-specific pharmacology in women. Although hormonal fluctuations of the normal menstruating process alters women's physiology and brain biochemistry, medication dosing does not consider such cyclical changes. Using schizophrenia as an example, this paper illustrates how a woman's clinical symptoms can change throughout the ovulatory cycle, leading to fluctuations in medication responses. Effects of sex steroids on the brain, clinical pharmacology are discussed. Effective medication dose may be different at different phases of the menstrual cycle. Further research is needed to better understand optimal treatment strategies in reproductive women; we present a potential clinical trial design for examining optimal medication dosing strategies for conditions that have menstruation related clinical fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Kyoung Yum
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Sun Young Yum
- Department Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ, NJ, USA
| | - Tak Kim
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul 02841, Korea
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26
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Raymond JS, Wilson BB, Tan O, Gururajan A, Bowen MT. Acute alcohol exposure dose-dependently alleviates social avoidance in adolescent mice and inhibits social investigation in adult mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3625-3639. [PMID: 31346653 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05335-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motivations for alcohol consumption often focus on ethanol's purported prosocial effects: social enhancement and reduction of socially focused anxiety. Despite substantial research supporting prosocial effects, contrary research exists demonstrating alcohol-elicited antisocial and asocial behaviours. Additionally, evidence typically fails to delineate whether alcohol-induced prosocial effects are due to alcohol expectancies or pharmacological actions of ethanol. Studies exploring ethanol's pharmacological effects on social behaviour and factors that modulate apparent contradictory prosocial versus asocial effects are lacking. OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether factors of age, ethanol dose and social fear modulate ethanol-induced pharmacological effects on sociability and social anxiety-like avoidance. METHODS Experiments examined the acute effects of ethanol doses (0, 0.25, 0.8, 1.6 g/kg; i.p.) in adult (10-week-old) and adolescent (PND 31-33) C57BL/6J male mice on social interaction using a social fear conditioning paradigm. Control experiments assessed whether ethanol-induced effects were social-specific. RESULTS In adult mice, no specific effects of ethanol on social avoidance were observed at any dose. However, high-dose ethanol (1.6 g/kg) suppressed social approach in all adult mice. In contrast, low-dose ethanol (0.25 g/kg) alleviated social avoidance in adolescent mice and no social suppression was observed at higher ethanol doses. Thus, higher doses of ethanol impair social behaviour in adult mice, whereas lower doses specifically alleviate social anxiety-like avoidance in adolescent mice. CONCLUSIONS Age, dose and social fear are critical modulators of acute ethanol-induced pharmacological effects on social behaviour. Inconsistencies in ethanol-induced social consequences appear at least partly mediated by pharmacological interactions-not solely alcohol expectancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Raymond
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Bianca B Wilson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Oliver Tan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Anand Gururajan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia. .,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.
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27
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Yousefi B, Rahbar E. Clomiphene citrate impairs the endometrial CD98 expression in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized rats: Role of HCG. Int J Reprod Biomed 2019; 17:385-394. [PMID: 31508563 PMCID: PMC6719513 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v17i6.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clomiphene citrate (CC) is one of the widely used drugs as an ovulation stimulant, but its adverse effects on the endometrium results in lowering down the pregnancy rate. Endometrium CD98 is also important in the process of implantation. Objective To evaluate the immunohistochemistry expression levels of endometrial CD98 following injection of CC with and without Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods Seventy two (12-14 wk old) female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 36): (a) ovariectomized and (b) non-ovariectomized. Each group was further divided into six subgroups (n = 6/each): (1) CC 10 mg/kg, (2) CC 20 mg/kg, (3) HCG, (4) CC 10 mg/kg with HCG, (5) CC 20 mg/kg with HCG, and (6) control. The experimental subgroups received a single dose of CC (daily, five days) and HCG (after the last injection of CC) alone or in combination. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed on paraffin-embedded endometrial tissues to evaluate the expression levels of CD98. Results Animals undergoing ovariectomy presented a significantly lower expression level of endometrial CD98 (p < 0.001) when compared with non-ovariectomized in the same condition that groups were subdivided. There was also a dose-dependent reduction (p < 0.001) in the expression of CD98 in non-ovariectomized subgroups when compared with control group. In addition, injection of HCG following treatment with CC improved its expression. Conclusion It was concluded that CC impairs CD98 expression in endometrium and this impairment is intensified with the removal of the ovary. Also, an injection of HCG following treatment with CC can slightly improve the expression of CD98.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behpour Yousefi
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Elnaz Rahbar
- Department of Anatomy, Medicine Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Science, Semnan, Iran
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28
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Estrous cycle stage gates sex differences in prefrontal muscarinic control of fear memory formation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 161:26-36. [PMID: 30851433 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The association of a sensory cue and an aversive footshock that are separated in time, as in trace fear conditioning, requires persistent activity in prelimbic cortex during the cue-shock interval. The activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has been shown to facilitate persistent firing of cortical cells in response to brief stimulation, and muscarinic antagonists in the prefrontal cortex impair working memory. It is unknown, however, if the acquisition of associative trace fear conditioning is dependent on muscarinic signaling in the prefrontal cortex. Here, we delivered the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine to the prelimbic cortex of rats prior to trace fear conditioning and tested their memories of the cue and training context the following day. The effect of scopolamine on working memory performance was also tested using a spatial delayed non-match to sample task. Male and female subjects were included to examine potential sex differences in the modulation of memory formation, as we have previously observed for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide signaling in the prefrontal cortex (Kirry et al., 2018). We found that pre-training administration of intra-prelimbic scopolamine impaired the formation of cued and contextual fear memories in males, but not females at a dose that impairs spatial working memory in both sexes. Fear memory formation in females was impaired by a higher dose of scopolamine and this impairment was gated by estrous cycle stage: scopolamine failed to impair memory in rats in the diestrus or proestrus stages of the estrous cycle. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that the prefrontal cortex is sexually dimorphic in learning and memory and additionally suggest that males and females differentially engage prefrontal neuromodulatory systems in support of learning.
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29
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Warden AS, Azzam M, DaCosta A, Mason S, Blednov YA, Messing RO, Mayfield RD, Harris RA. Toll-like receptor 3 dynamics in female C57BL/6J mice: Regulation of alcohol intake. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 77:66-76. [PMID: 30550930 PMCID: PMC6399033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are sex differences in the effects of alcohol on immune responses, it is unclear if sex differences in immune response can influence drinking behavior. Activation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) produced a rapid proinflammatory response in males that increased alcohol intake over time (Warden et al., 2019). Poly(I:C) produced a delayed and prolonged innate immune response in females. We hypothesized that the timecourse of innate immune activation could regulate drinking behavior in females. Therefore, we chose to test the effect of two time points in the innate immune activation timecourse on every-other-day two-bottle-choice drinking: (1) peak activation; (2) descending limb of activation. Poly(I:C) reduced ethanol consumption when alcohol access occurred during peak activation. Poly(I:C) did not change ethanol consumption when alcohol access occurred on the descending limb of activation. Decreased levels of MyD88-dependent pathway correlated with decreased alcohol intake and increased levels of TRIF-dependent pathway correlated with increased alcohol intake in females. To validate the effects of poly(I:C) were mediated through MyD88, we tested female mice lacking Myd88. Poly(I:C) did not change alcohol intake in Myd88 knockouts, indicating that poly(I:C)-induced changes in alcohol intake are dependent on MyD88 in females. We next determined if the innate immune timecourse also regulated drinking behavior in males. Poly(I:C) reduced ethanol consumption in males when alcohol was presented at peak activation. Therefore, the timecourse of innate immune activation regulates drinking behavior and sex-specific dynamics of innate immune response must be considered when designing therapeutics to treat excessive drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Moatasem Azzam
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Adriana DaCosta
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sonia Mason
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yuri A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Robert O Messing
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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30
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CRF modulation of central monoaminergic function: Implications for sex differences in alcohol drinking and anxiety. Alcohol 2018; 72:33-47. [PMID: 30217435 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Decades of research have described the importance of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling in alcohol addiction, as well as in commonly co-expressed neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety and mood disorders. However, CRF signaling can also acutely regulate binge alcohol consumption, anxiety, and affect in non-dependent animals, possibly via modulation of central monoaminergic signaling. We hypothesize that basal CRF tone is particularly high in animals and humans with an inherent propensity for high anxiety and alcohol consumption, and thus these individuals are at increased risk for the development of alcohol use disorder and comorbid neuropsychiatric diseases. The current review focuses on extrahypothalamic CRF circuits, particularly those stemming from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), found to play a role in basal phenotypes, and examines whether the intrinsic hyperactivity of these circuits is sufficient to escalate the expression of these behaviors and steepen the trajectory of development of disease states. We focus our efforts on describing CRF modulation of biogenic amine neuron populations that have widespread projections to the forebrain to modulate behaviors, including alcohol and drug intake, stress reactivity, and anxiety. Further, we review the known sex differences and estradiol modulation of these neuron populations and CRF signaling at their synapses to address the question of whether females are more susceptible to the development of comorbid addiction and stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases because of hyperactive extrahypothalamic CRF circuits compared to males.
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31
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Matzeu A, Terenius L, Martin-Fardon R. Exploring Sex Differences in the Attenuation of Ethanol Drinking by Naltrexone in Dependent Rats During Early and Protracted Abstinence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2466-2478. [PMID: 30320880 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite considerable efforts, few drugs are available for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) use disorder (AUD). EtOH directly or indirectly modulates several aspects of the central nervous system, including neurotransmitter/neuromodulator systems. Relapse vulnerability is a challenge for the treatment of EtOH addiction. EtOH withdrawal symptoms create motivational states that lead to compulsive EtOH drinking and relapse even after long periods of abstinence. Among the therapeutics to treat AUD, naltrexone (NTX) is a pharmacological treatment for relapse. The present study evaluated the effect of NTX on EtOH drinking in male and female EtOH-dependent rats during abstinence. METHODS Wistar rats (males and females) were first trained to orally self-administer 10% EtOH. Half of the rats were then made dependent by chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) vapor exposure, and the other half were exposed to air. Using this model, rats exhibit somatic and motivational signs of withdrawal. At the end of EtOH vapor (or air) exposure, the rats were tested for the effects of NTX (10 mg/kg, oral) on EtOH self-administration at 3 abstinence time points: acute abstinence (A-Abst, 8 hours), late abstinence (L-Abst, 2 weeks), and protracted abstinence (P-Abst, 6 weeks). RESULTS NTX decreased EtOH intake in nondependent rats, regardless of sex and abstinence time point. In postdependent rats, NTX decreased EtOH intake only at a delayed abstinence time point (P-Abst) in males, whereas it similarly reduced EtOH drinking in females at all abstinence time points. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic efficacy of NTX depends on the time of intervention during abstinence and is different between males and females. The data further suggest that EtOH dependence causes different neuroadaptations in male and female rats, reflected by differential effects of NTX. The results underscore the significance of considering the duration of EtOH abstinence and sex as a biological variable as important factors when developing pharmacotherapies for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Terenius
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California.,Clinical Neuroscience, Experimental Addiction Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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32
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You C, Vandegrift B, Brodie MS. Ethanol actions on the ventral tegmental area: novel potential targets on reward pathway neurons. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1711-1726. [PMID: 29549390 PMCID: PMC5949141 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4875-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) evaluates salience of environmental stimuli and provides dopaminergic innervation to many brain areas affected by acute and chronic ethanol exposure. While primarily associated with rewarding and reinforcing stimuli, recent evidence indicates a role for the VTA in aversion as well. Ethanol actions in the VTA may trigger neuroadaptation resulting in reduction of the aversive responses to alcohol and a relative increase in the rewarding responses. In searching for effective pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, recognition of this imbalance may reveal novel strategies. In addition to conventional receptor/ion channel pharmacotherapies, epigenetic factors that control neuroadaptation to chronic ethanol treatment can be targeted as an avenue for development of therapeutic approaches to restore the balance. Furthermore, when exploring therapies to address reward/aversion imbalance in the action of alcohol in the VTA, sex differences have to be taken into account to ensure effective treatment for both men and women. These principles apply to a VTA-centric approach to therapies, but should hold true when thinking about the overall approach in the development of neuroactive drugs to treat alcohol use disorders. Although the functions of the VTA itself are complex, it is a useful model system to evaluate the reward/aversion imbalance that occurs with ethanol exposure and could be used to provide new leads in the efforts to develop novel drugs to treat alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang You
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, Room E-202, M/C 901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Bertha Vandegrift
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, Room E-202, M/C 901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Mark S Brodie
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, Room E-202, M/C 901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Effects of monoamines on the intrinsic excitability of lateral orbitofrontal cortex neurons in alcohol-dependent and non-dependent female mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 137:1-12. [PMID: 29689260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Changes in brain reward and control systems of frontal cortical areas including the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) are associated with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The OFC is extensively innervated by monoamines, and drugs that target monoamine receptors have been used to treat a number of neuropsychiatric diseases, including AUDs. Recent findings from this laboratory demonstrate that D2, α2-adrenergic and 5HT1A receptors all decrease the intrinsic excitability of lateral OFC (lOFC) neurons in naïve male mice and that this effect is lost in mice exposed to repeated cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor. As biological sex differences may influence an individual's response to alcohol and contribute to the propensity to engage in addictive behaviors, we examined whether monoamines have similar effects on lOFC neurons in control and CIE exposed female mice. Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin all decreased spiking of lOFC neurons in naïve females via activation of Giα-coupled D2, α2-adrenergic and 5HT1A receptors, respectively. Firing was also inhibited by the direct GIRK channel activator ML297, while blocking these channels with barium eliminated the inhibitory actions of monoamines. Following CIE treatment, evoked spiking of lOFC neurons from female mice was significantly enhanced and monoamines and ML297 no longer inhibited firing. Unlike in male mice, the enhanced firing of neurons from CIE exposed female mice was not associated with changes in the after-hyperpolarization and the small-conductance potassium channel blocker apamin had no effect on current-evoked tail currents from either control or CIE exposed female mice. These results suggest that while CIE exposure alters monoamine regulation of OFC neuron firing similarly in males and female mice, there are sex-dependent differences in processes that regulate the intrinsic excitability of these neurons.
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17β-Estradiol Potentiates the Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Female Rats: Role of the Prelimbic Prefrontal Cortex and Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:781-790. [PMID: 28825421 PMCID: PMC5809785 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical observations imply that female cocaine addicts experience enhanced relapse vulnerability compared with males, an effect tied to elevated estrogen phases of the ovarian hormone cycle. Although estrogens can enhance drug-seeking behavior, they do not directly induce reinstatement on their own. To model this phenomenon, we tested whether an estrogen could augment drug-seeking behavior in response to an ordinarily subthreshold reinstatement trigger. Following cocaine self-administration and extinction, female rats were ovariectomized to isolate estrogen effects on reinstatement. Although neither peak proestrus levels of the primary estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2; 10 μg/kg, i.p., 1-h pretreatment) nor a subthreshold cocaine dose (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) alone were sufficient to reinstate drug-seeking behavior, pretreatment with E2 potentiated reinstatement to the ordinarily subthreshold cocaine dose. Furthermore, E2 microinfusions revealed that E2 (5 μg/0.3 μl, 15-min pretreatment) acts directly within the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PrL-PFC) to potentiate reinstatement. As E2 has been implicated in endocannabinoid mobilization, which can disinhibit PrL-PFC projection neurons, we investigated whether cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) activation is necessary for E2 to potentiate reinstatement. The CB1R antagonist AM251 (1 or 3 mg/kg, i.p., 30-min pretreatment) administered prior to E2 and cocaine suppressed reinstatement in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, PrL-PFC AM251 microinfusions (300 ng/side, 15-min pretreatment) also suppressed E2-potentiated reinstatement. Together, these results suggest that E2 can augment reactivity to an ordinarily subthreshold relapse trigger in a PrL-PFC CB1R activation-dependent manner.
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) determines a sex difference in cue-conditioned alcohol seeking in rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 339:73-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Vandegrift BJ, You C, Satta R, Brodie MS, Lasek AW. Estradiol increases the sensitivity of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons to dopamine and ethanol. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187698. [PMID: 29107956 PMCID: PMC5673180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender differences in psychiatric disorders such as addiction may be modulated by the steroid hormone estrogen. For instance, 17β-estradiol (E2), the predominant form of circulating estrogen in pre-menopausal females, increases ethanol consumption, suggesting that E2 may affect the rewarding properties of ethanol and thus the development of alcohol use disorder in females. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is critically involved in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of ethanol. In order to determine the role of E2 in VTA physiology, gonadally intact female mice were sacrificed during diestrus II (high E2) or estrus (low E2) for electrophysiology recordings. We measured the excitation by ethanol and inhibition by dopamine (DA) of VTA DA neurons and found that both excitation by ethanol and inhibition by dopamine were greater in diestrus II compared with estrus. Treatment of VTA slices from mice in diestrus II with an estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI 182,780) reduced ethanol-stimulated neuronal firing, but had no effect on ethanol-stimulated firing of neurons in slices from mice in estrus. Surprisingly, ICI 182,780 did not affect the inhibition by DA, indicating different mechanisms of action of estrogen receptors in altering ethanol and DA responses. We also examined the responses of VTA DA neurons to ethanol and DA in ovariectomized mice treated with E2 and found that E2 treatment enhanced the responses to ethanol and DA in a manner similar to what we observed in mice in diestrus II. Our data indicate that E2 modulates VTA neuron physiology, which may contribute to both the enhanced reinforcing and rewarding effects of alcohol and the development of other psychiatric disorders in females that involve alterations in DA neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertha J. Vandegrift
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Chang You
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Rosalba Satta
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Brodie
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Amy W. Lasek
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gonadal hormones affect alcohol drinking, but not cue+yohimbine-induced alcohol seeking, in male and female rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 203:70-80. [PMID: 29106989 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by maladaptive patterns of alcohol drinking and seeking. Though sex differences exist in the etiology of AUD, much remains to be elucidated concerning the mechanisms underlying sex-related vulnerability to developing excessive alcohol-motivated behavior. While a large body of evidence points to an important role of circulating gonadal hormones in mediating cocaine reinforcement, findings are less consistent with respect to ethanol. Critically, the effects of gonadal hormones on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking, a model of "craving"-like behavior that reveals pronounced sex differences, has not yet been examined. Thus, the goal of the present experiment was to directly compare manipulations of gonadal hormones in male and female rats on ethanol-motivated behavior. Rats received sham or gonadectomy surgery with or without hormone replacement prior to and throughout three weeks of operant ethanol self-administration to determine the effects of chronically high or low gonadal hormone levels on ethanol drinking. Hormone treatment ceased during extinction training, and the effects of an acute injection of either testosterone (in males) or estradiol (in females) on cue+yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking was determined. Separate groups of gonadally-intact female rats went through similar training, but the effects of either the antiestrogen, fulvestrant, the selective estrogen receptor modulator, clomiphene, or the estrogen receptor β antagonist, PHTPP, on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking were determined. Chronic estradiol replacement produced significant increases in ethanol drinking in female rats, while chronic testosterone significantly decreased ethanol drinking in male rats. Gonadectomy alone only produced modest shifts in drinking towards the opposite-sex pattern, and did not eliminate the robust sex differences that persisted regardless of hormone manipulations. Neither prior chronic nor acute hormone manipulations altered cue+yohimbine-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking, though blockade of estrogen receptors tended to reduce reinstatement in gonadally-intact females. Overall, our findings indicate that gonadal hormones at least partially mediate, but do not totally account for the sex differences evident in ethanol self-administration, and circulating gonadal hormones have little effect on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking. These results provide a foundation for future studies examining the neuronal mechanisms underlying sex differences in ethanol drinking and seeking.
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Changes in stress-stimulated allopregnanolone levels induced by neonatal estradiol treatment are associated with enhanced dopamine release in adult female rats: reversal by progesterone administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:749-760. [PMID: 28013353 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allopregnanolone plays a role in the stress response and homeostasis. Alterations in the estrogen milieu during the perinatal period influence brain development in a manner that persists into adulthood. Accordingly, we showed that a single administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) on the day of birth decreases brain allopregnanolone concentrations in adult female rats. OBJECTIVE We examined whether the persistent decrease in allopregnanolone concentrations, induced by neonatal EB treatment, might affect sensitivity to stress during adulthood. METHODS Female rats were treated with 10 μg of EB or vehicle on the day of birth. During adulthood, the response to acute foot shock stress was assessed by measuring changes in brain allopregnanolone and corticosterone levels, as well as extracellular dopamine output in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). RESULTS Neonatal EB treatment enhanced stress-stimulated allopregnanolone levels in the hypothalamus, as well as extracellular dopamine output in the mPFC; this latest effect is reverted by subchronic progesterone treatment. By contrast, neonatal EB treatment did not alter stress-induced corticosterone levels, sensitivity to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis negative feedback, or abundance of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. CONCLUSIONS The persistent decrease in brain allopregnanolone concentrations, induced by neonatal EB treatment, enhances stress-stimulated allopregnanolone levels and extracellular dopamine output during adulthood. These effects are not associated to an impairment in HPA axis activity. Heightened sensitivity to stress is a risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders; these results suggest that exposure to estrogen during development may predispose individuals to such disorders.
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Priddy BM, Carmack SA, Thomas LC, Vendruscolo JCM, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. Sex, strain, and estrous cycle influences on alcohol drinking in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 152:61-67. [PMID: 27498303 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Although women appear to be more vulnerable to alcohol-induced pathophysiology than men, the neurobiological basis for sex differences is largely unknown, partially because most studies on alcohol drinking are conducted in male subjects only. The present study examined sex differences in alcohol consumption in two rat strains, Long Evans and Wistar, using multiple behavioral paradigms. The effects of the estrous cycle on alcohol consumption were monitored throughout the study. The results indicated that females drank more alcohol than males when given either continuous or intermittent access to alcohol (vs. water) in their home cages (voluntary drinking). Under operant conditions, no sex or strain differences were found in drinking prior to development of alcohol dependence. However, upon dependence induction by chronic, intermittent alcohol vapor exposure, Wistar rats of both sexes substantially escalated their alcohol intake compared with their nondependent drinking levels, whereas Long Evans rats only exhibited a moderate escalation of drinking. Under these conditions, the estrous cycle had no effect on alcohol drinking in any strain and drinking model. Thus, strain, sex, and drinking conditions interact to modulate nondependent and dependent alcohol drinking. The present results emphasize the importance of including sex and strain as biological variables in exploring individual differences in alcohol drinking and dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M Priddy
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie A Carmack
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lisa C Thomas
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Janaina C M Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Richard JE, Anderberg RH, López-Ferreras L, Olandersson K, Skibicka KP. Sex and estrogens alter the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 on reward. Biol Sex Differ 2016; 7:6. [PMID: 26779332 PMCID: PMC4715328 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-016-0059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feeding behavior is regulated through an intricate array of anorexic and orexigenic hormones acting on the central nervous system (CNS). Some of these hormones may have differential effects in males and females, effects potentially attributed to actions of gonadal steroids, especially estrogens. Central stimulation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors reduces feeding and food-reward behavior by acting on CNS regions important for the anorexic actions of estrogens. Thus, we propose that the action of GLP-1 on food intake and reward may differ between sexes. Methods Male and female rats were centrally injected with the GLP-1 analog exendin-4 (Ex4) in a non-deprived or food-restricted state; reward behavior was measured in a progressive ratio operant conditioning task. Intake of chow and palatable food were also measured. To determine if sex differences in the actions of Ex4 are due to interactions with estrogens, Ex4 treatment was preceded by treatment with a nonselective estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and ERβ or ERα-selective antagonist. Results Central injection of Ex4 revealed increased reward behavior suppression in females, compared to males, in the operant conditioning task. This increase was present in both non-deprived and food-restricted animals with larger differences in the fed state. Intake of chow and palatable food, after Ex4, were similar in males and females. Food reward, but not food intake, effect of Ex4 was attenuated by pretreatment with ER antagonist in both sexes, suggesting that estrogens may modulate effects of Ex4 in both sexes. Furthermore, central pretreatment with ERα-selective antagonist was sufficient to attenuate effects of Ex4 on reward. Conclusions Collectively, these data reveal that females display much higher sensitivity to the food reward impact of central GLP-1 receptor activation. Surprisingly, they also demonstrate that central ERα signaling is necessary for the actions of GLP-1 on food-reward behavior in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Richard
- Department of Physiology/Metabolic Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, PO Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rozita H Anderberg
- Department of Physiology/Metabolic Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, PO Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lorena López-Ferreras
- Department of Physiology/Metabolic Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, PO Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kajsa Olandersson
- Department of Physiology/Metabolic Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, PO Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karolina P Skibicka
- Department of Physiology/Metabolic Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, PO Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Duclot F, Kabbaj M. The estrous cycle surpasses sex differences in regulating the transcriptome in the rat medial prefrontal cortex and reveals an underlying role of early growth response 1. Genome Biol 2015; 16:256. [PMID: 26628058 PMCID: PMC4667491 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0815-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Males and females differ in cognitive functions and emotional processing, which in part have been associated with baseline sex differences in gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex. Nevertheless, a growing body of evidence suggests that sex differences in medial prefrontal cortex-dependent cognitive functions are attenuated by hormonal fluctuations within the menstrual cycle. Despite known genomic effects of ovarian hormones, the interaction of the estrous cycle with sex differences in gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex remains unclear and warrants further investigations. Results We undertake a large-scale characterization of sex differences and their interaction with the estrous cycle in the adult medial prefrontal cortex transcriptome and report that females with high and low ovarian hormone levels exhibited a partly opposed sexually biased transcriptome. The extent of regulation within females vastly exceeds sex differences, and supports a multi-level reorganization of synaptic function across the estrous cycle. Genome-wide analysis of the transcription factor early growth response 1 binding highlights its role in controlling the synapse-related genes varying within females. Conclusions We uncover a critical influence of the estrous cycle on the adult rat medial prefrontal cortex transcriptome resulting in partly opposite sex differences in proestrus when compared to diestrus females, and we discovered a direct role for Early Growth Response 1 in this opposite regulation. In addition to illustrating the importance of accounting for the estrous cycle in females, our data set the ground for a better understanding of the female specificities in cognition and emotional processing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0815-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Duclot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 W Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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Almey A, Milner TA, Brake WG. Estrogen receptors in the central nervous system and their implication for dopamine-dependent cognition in females. Horm Behav 2015; 74:125-38. [PMID: 26122294 PMCID: PMC4820286 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and cognition". Over the past 30 years, research has demonstrated that estrogens not only are important for female reproduction, but also play a role in a diverse array of cognitive functions. Originally, estrogens were thought to have only one receptor, localized exclusively to the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells. However, it is now known that there are at least three estrogen receptors (ERs): ERα, ERβ and G-protein coupled ER1 (GPER1). In addition to being localized to nuclei, ERα and ERβ are localized to the cell membrane, and GPER1 is also observed at the cell membrane. The mechanism through which ERs are associated with the membrane remains unclear, but palmitoylation of receptors and associations between ERs and caveolin are implicated in membrane association. ERα and ERβ are mostly observed in the nucleus using light microscopy unless they are particularly abundant. However, electron microscopy has revealed that ERs are also found at the membrane in complimentary distributions in multiple brain regions, many of which are innervated by dopamine inputs and were previously thought to contain few ERs. In particular, membrane-associated ERs are observed in the prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus, all of which are involved in learning and memory. These findings provide a mechanism for the rapid effects of estrogens in these regions. The effects of estrogens on dopamine-dependent cognition likely result from binding at both nuclear and membrane-associated ERs, so elucidating the localization of membrane-associated ERs helps provide a more complete understanding of the cognitive effects of these hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Almey
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA; Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN), Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Dopamine and cognitive control: Sex-by-genotype interactions influence the capacity to switch attention. Behav Brain Res 2015; 281:96-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Almey A, Cannell E, Bertram K, Filardo E, Milner TA, Brake WG. Medial prefrontal cortical estradiol rapidly alters memory system bias in female rats: ultrastructural analysis reveals membrane-associated estrogen receptors as potential mediators. Endocrinology 2014; 155:4422-32. [PMID: 25211590 PMCID: PMC4197985 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
High plasma levels of estradiol (E2) are associated with use of a place memory system over a response memory system. We examined whether infusing estradiol into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or anterior cingulate cortex (AC) could affect memory system bias in female rats. We also examined the ultrastructural distribution of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ERβ, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in the mPFC of female rats as a mechanism for the behavioral effects of E2 in the mPFC. Each rat was infused bilaterally with either E2 (0.13 μg) or vehicle into the mPFC or AC. The majority of E2 mPFC rats used place memory. In contrast, the majority of mPFC vehicle rats and AC E2 or vehicle rats used response memory. These data show that mPFC E2 rapidly biases females to use place memory. Electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 are localized in the mPFC, almost exclusively at extranuclear sites. This is the first time that GPER1 has been localized to the mPFC of rats and the first time that ERα and ERβ have been described at extranuclear sites in the rat mPFC. The majority of receptors were observed on axons and axon terminals, suggesting that estrogens alter presynaptic transmission in the mPFC. This provides a mechanism via which ERs could rapidly alter transmission in the mPFC to alter PFC-dependent behaviors, such as memory system bias. The discrete nature of immunolabeling for these membrane-associated ERs may explain the discrepancy in previous light microscopy studies.
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Weafer J, de Wit H. Sex differences in impulsive action and impulsive choice. Addict Behav 2014; 39:1573-1579. [PMID: 24286704 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Here, we review the evidence for sex differences in behavioral measures of impulsivity for both humans and laboratory animals. We focus on two specific components of impulsivity: impulsive action (i.e., difficulty inhibiting a prepotent response) and impulsive choice (i.e., difficulty delaying gratification). Sex differences appear to exist on these measures, but the direction and magnitude of the differences vary. In laboratory animals, impulsive action is typically greater in males than females, whereas impulsive choice is typically greater in females. In humans, women discount more steeply than men, but sex differences on measures of impulsive action depend on tasks and subject samples. We discuss implications of these findings as they relate to drug addiction. We also point out the major gaps in this research to date, including the lack of studies designed specifically to examine sex differences in behavioral impulsivity, and the lack of consideration of menstrual or estrous phase or sex hormone levels in the studies.
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Sárvári M, Deli L, Kocsis P, Márk L, Maász G, Hrabovszky E, Kalló I, Gajári D, Vastagh C, Sümegi B, Tihanyi K, Liposits Z. Estradiol and isotype-selective estrogen receptor agonists modulate the mesocortical dopaminergic system in gonadectomized female rats. Brain Res 2014; 1583:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Colzato LS, Hommel B. Effects of estrogen on higher-order cognitive functions in unstressed human females may depend on individual variation in dopamine baseline levels. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:65. [PMID: 24778605 PMCID: PMC3985021 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza S Colzato
- Institute for Psychological Research and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bernhard Hommel
- Institute for Psychological Research and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands
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Microstructural changes of the nucleus accumbens due to increase of estradiol level during menstrual cycle contribute to recurrent manic episodes--a single case study. Psychiatry Res 2014; 221:149-54. [PMID: 24345761 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We examined a rapid-cycling bipolar disorder patient who demonstrated manic episode regularly at around day 7 of the menstrual cycle. We hypothesize that gonadal hormones may induce a state-dependent change in cerebral microstructure and function. Following this hypothesis, the serum levels of estradiol and progesterone were analyzed and diffusion tensor imaging data were examined between the manic and euthymic states of the patient. Estradiol levels increased in the late follicular phase at manic state when compared to the luteal or early follicular phase at euthymic state. DTI results showed that the patient had increased fractional anisotropy values at manic state in the bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAc) and its connected areas, which is a major projection field of the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, perhaps reflecting microstructural changes due to neuronal activation related to manic episodes. According to these results, we consider that the mesolimbic DA system of this patient has hypersensitivity to estradiol, and elevation of the estradiol level increases the activity of the dopaminergic system, which in turn may contribute to recurrent manic episodes. Our findings provide a clue for understanding how fluctuations in gonadal hormone may amplify or ameliorate the symptomatology of psychiatric disorders related to the menstrual cycle.
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Bobzean SAM, DeNobrega AK, Perrotti LI. Sex differences in the neurobiology of drug addiction. Exp Neurol 2014; 259:64-74. [PMID: 24508560 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological data demonstrate that while women report lower rates of drug use than men, the number of current drug users and abusers who are women continues to increase. In addition women progress through the phases of addiction differently than men; women transition from casual drug use to addiction faster, are more reactive to stimuli that trigger relapse, and have higher rates of relapse then men. Sex differences in physiological and psychological responses to drugs of abuse are well documented and it is well established that estrogen effects on dopamine (DA) systems are largely responsible for these sex differences. However, the downstream mechanisms that result from interactions between estrogen and the effects of drugs of abuse on the DA system are just beginning to be explored. Here we review the basic neurocircuitry which underlies reward and addiction; highlighting the neuroadaptive changes that occur in the mesolimbic dopamine reward and anti-reward/stress pathways. We propose that sex differences in addiction are due to sex differences in the neural systems which mediate positive and negative reinforcement and that these differences are modulated by ovarian hormones. This forms a neurobehavioral basis for the search for the molecular and cellular underpinnings that uniquely guide motivational behaviors and make women more vulnerable to developing and sustaining addiction than men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara A M Bobzean
- Department of Psychology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Aliza K DeNobrega
- Department of Psychology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Linda I Perrotti
- Department of Psychology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
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Torres OV, Walker EM, Beas BS, O'Dell LE. Female rats display enhanced rewarding effects of ethanol that are hormone dependent. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:108-15. [PMID: 23909760 PMCID: PMC3842413 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethanol (EtOH) abuse is a major health and economic concern, particularly for females who appear to be more sensitive to the rewarding effects of EtOH. This study compared sex differences to the rewarding and aversive effects of EtOH using place-conditioning procedures in rats. METHODS Separate groups of adult (male, female, ovariectomized [OVX] female) and adolescent (male and female) rats received EtOH (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 2.5 g/kg, intraperitoneal) and were confined to their initially nonpreferred side of our conditioning apparatus for 30 minutes. On alternate days, they received saline and were confined to the other side. Following 5 drug pairings, the rats were retested for preference behavior. Separate cohorts of the same groups of rats were injected with a similar dose range of EtOH, and blood EtOH levels (BELs) were compared 30 minutes later. RESULTS EtOH produced rewarding or aversive effects in a dose-dependent manner. An intermediate dose of EtOH (1.0 g/kg) produced rewarding effects in adult female, but not in male or OVX female rats, suggesting that ovarian hormones facilitate the rewarding effects of EtOH. Similarly, this intermediate dose of EtOH produced rewarding effects in adolescent female, but not in male rats. The highest dose of EtOH (2.5 g/kg) produced aversive effects that were similar across all adult groups. However, the aversive effects of EtOH were lower in adolescents than adults, suggesting that adolescents are less sensitive to the aversive effects of EtOH. The aversive effects of EtOH did not vary across the estrous cycle in intact adult females. There were also no group differences in BELs, suggesting that our results are not related to EtOH metabolism. CONCLUSION Our results in rats suggest that human females may be more vulnerable to EtOH abuse due to enhanced rewarding effects of this drug that are mediated by the presence of ovarian hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar V Torres
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas
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