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Bokoliya SC, Russell J, Dorsett Y, Panier HA, Singh V, Daddi L, Yuan H, Dedon LR, Liu Z, Zhou Y, Min Z, Barson JR, Covault J, Bubier JA, Zhou Y. Short-chain fatty acid valerate reduces voluntary alcohol intake in male mice. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:108. [PMID: 38886761 PMCID: PMC11181657 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01829-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite serious health and social consequences, effective intervention strategies for habitual alcohol binge drinking are lacking. The development of novel therapeutic and preventative approaches is highly desirable. Accumulating evidence in the past several years has established associations between the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites with drinking behavior, but druggable targets and their underlying mechanism of action are understudied. RESULTS Here, using a drink-in-the-dark mouse model, we identified a microbiome metabolite-based novel treatment (sodium valerate) that can reduce excessive alcohol drinking. Sodium valerate is a sodium salt of valeric acid short-chain fatty acid with a similar structure as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Ten days of oral sodium valerate supplementation attenuates excessive alcohol drinking by 40%, reduces blood ethanol concentration by 53%, and improves anxiety-like or approach-avoidance behavior in male mice, without affecting overall food and water intake. Mechanistically, sodium valerate supplementation increases GABA levels across stool, blood, and amygdala. It also significantly increases H4 acetylation in the amygdala of mice. Transcriptomics analysis of the amygdala revealed that sodium valerate supplementation led to changes in gene expression associated with functional pathways including potassium voltage-gated channels, inflammation, glutamate degradation, L-DOPA degradation, and psychological behaviors. 16S microbiome profiling showed that sodium valerate supplementation shifts the gut microbiome composition and decreases microbiome-derived neuroactive compounds through GABA degradation in the gut microbiome. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that sodium valerate holds promise as an innovative therapeutic avenue for the reduction of habitual binge drinking, potentially through multifaceted mechanisms. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh C Bokoliya
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Jordan Russell
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Yair Dorsett
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Hunter A Panier
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Computational Biology Core, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Lauren Daddi
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Hanshu Yuan
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Liv R Dedon
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
- Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Zhongmao Liu
- Department of Statistics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Yuqi Zhou
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Zefang Min
- Department of Statistics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Jessica R Barson
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | | | - Yanjiao Zhou
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
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Marinkovic K, Alderson Myers AB, Arienzo D, Sereno MI, Mason GF. Cortical GABA levels are reduced in young adult binge drinkers: Association with recent alcohol consumption and sex. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 35:103091. [PMID: 35753236 PMCID: PMC9240858 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Binge drinking refers to a pattern of alcohol intake that raises blood alcohol concentration to or above legal intoxication levels. It is common among young adults and is associated with health risks that scale up with alcohol intake. Acute intoxication depresses neural activity via complex signaling mechanisms by enhancing inhibition mediated by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and by decreasing excitatory glutamatergic effects. Evidence primarily rooted in animal research indicates that the brain compensates for the acute depressant effects under the conditions of habitual heavy use. These neuroadaptive changes are reflected in neural hyperexcitability via downregulated inhibitory signaling, which becomes apparent as withdrawal symptoms. However, human evidence on the compensatory reduction in GABA signaling is scant. The neurochemical aspect of this mechanistic model was evaluated in the present study with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) which is sensitive to GABA plus macromolecule signal (GABA + ). Furthermore, we examined sex differences in GABA + levels as a function of a recent history of binge drinking, given interactions between endogenous neurosteroids, GABA signaling, and alcohol. The study recruited young adult women and men (22.2 ± 2.8 years of age) who were classified as binge drinkers (BDs, N = 52) if they reported ≥ 5 binge episodes in the previous six months. Light drinkers (LDs, N = 49) reported drinking regularly, but not exceeding ≤ 2 binge episodes in the past six months. GABA-edited 1H-MR spectra were acquired from the occipital cortex at 3 T with the MEGA-PRESS sequence. GABA + signal was analyzed relative to water and total creatine (Cr) levels as a function of binge drinking history and sex. Controlling for within-voxel tissue composition, both GABA + indices showed decreased GABA + levels in BDs relative to LDs. The reduced GABA + concentration was associated with occasional high-intensity drinking in the BD group. This evidence is consistent with compensatory GABA downregulation that accompanies alcohol misuse, tipping the excitation/inhibition balance towards hyperexcitability. Analysis of the time course of GABA + neuroplasticity indicated that GABA + was lowest when measured one day after the last drinking occasion in BDs. While the BD vs LD differences were primarily driven by LD women, there was no interaction between Sex and a history of binge drinking. GABA + was higher in LD women compared to LD men. Aligned with the allostasis model, the mechanistic compensatory GABA downregulation observed in young emerging adults engaging in occasional binge drinking complements direct neural measures of hyperexcitability in BDs. Notably, these results suggest that neuroadaptation to alcohol is detectable at the levels of consumption that are within a normative range, and may contribute to adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenija Marinkovic
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Austin B Alderson Myers
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
| | - Donatello Arienzo
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Martin I Sereno
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
| | - Graeme F Mason
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, N-141 TAC-MRRC, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Chicchi Giglioli IA, Pérez Gálvez B, Gil Granados A, Alcañiz Raya M. The Virtual Cooking Task: A Preliminary Comparison Between Neuropsychological and Ecological Virtual Reality Tests to Assess Executive Functions Alterations in Patients Affected by Alcohol Use Disorder. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2021; 24:673-682. [PMID: 33761276 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2020.0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major global problem. Neuropsychological studies have shown that AUD causes deficits in executive functions (EFs), a set of higher order cognitive skills that govern individual behavior in everyday situations. Many standardized neuropsychological tests are used to evaluate EF. These are reliable and valid but have limitations in predicting real-life performance. To address this, we present a preliminary study to test the virtual cooking task (VCT) as an alternative to standardized neuropsychological tests. The VCT includes four subtasks developed to assess attentional, planning, and cognitive shifting abilities; it was tested in an immersive three-dimensional environment. To evaluate the VCT performance and standardized neuropsychological tests, data were gathered from a sample of healthy subjects (control group [CG]; n = 23) and AUD patients (n = 18). The standardized neuropsychological measures used consisted of questionnaires (Attentional Control Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Cognitive Flexibility Scale) and specific tests (Dot-probe task, Go/No-go test, Stroop test, the trail making test, and Tower of London test). The results showed significant higher correlations for AUD patients than for the CG for the VCT, questionnaires, and specific tests, mainly related to planning and cognitive shifting abilities. Furthermore, comparative analyses of the VCT performance showed that the AUD patients made more errors and had higher latency times than the CG. The present study provides initial evidence that a more ecologically valid assessment can be a useful tool to detect cognitive impairments in many neuropsychological and mental disorders, affecting daily activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Alice Chicchi Giglioli
- Department of Graphics Engineering, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería (I3B), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Pérez Gálvez
- Health Department, Unidad de Alcohología, Hospital Universitario de San Juan, Alicante, Spain.,Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Andrea Gil Granados
- Department of Graphics Engineering, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería (I3B), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Mariano Alcañiz Raya
- Department of Graphics Engineering, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería (I3B), Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
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Zoelch N, Hock A, Steuer AE, Heimer J, Kraemer T, Thali MJ, Gascho D. In situ postmortem ethanol quantification in the cerebrospinal fluid by non-water-suppressed proton MRS. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 32:e4081. [PMID: 30835926 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Determination of the ethanol concentration in corpses with MRS would allow a reproducible forensic assessment by which evidence is collected in a noninvasive manner. However, although MRS has been successfully used to detect ethanol in vivo, it has not been applied to postmortem ethanol quantification in situ. The present study examined the feasibility of the noninvasive measurement of the ethanol concentration in human corpses with MRS. A total of 15 corpses with suspected alcohol consumption before demise underwent examination in a 3 T whole body scanner. To address the partial overlap of the ethanol and lactate signal in the postmortem spectrum, non-water-suppressed single voxel spectra were recorded in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the left lateral ventricle via the metabolite cycling technique. The ethanol signals were quantified using the internal water as reference standard, as well as based on a reference signal acquired in a phantom. The measured values were compared with biochemically determined concentrations in the blood (BAC) and CSF (CSFAC). In 8 of the 15 corpses a BAC above zero was determined (range 0.03-1.68 g/kg). In all of these 8 corpses, ethanol was measured in CSF with the proposed MRS protocol. The two applied MRS calibration strategies resulted in similar concentrations. However, the MRS measurements generally overestimated the ethanol concentration by 0.09 g/kg (4%) to 0.72 g/kg (45%) as compared with the CSFAC value. The presented MRS protocol allows the measurement of ethanol in the CSF in human corpses and provides an estimation of the ethanol concentration prior to autopsy. Observed deviations from biochemically determined concentrations are mainly explained by the approximate correction of the relaxation attenuation of the ethanol signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklaus Zoelch
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Zurich University Hospital for Psychiatry, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hock
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Zurich University Hospital for Psychiatry, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Philips Healthcare Deutschland, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea E Steuer
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Heimer
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Thali
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Gascho
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Brion M, Dormal V, Lannoy S, Mertens S, de Timary P, Maurage P. Imbalance between cognitive systems in alcohol-dependence and Korsakoff syndrome: An exploration using the Alcohol Flanker Task. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2018; 40:820-831. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2018.1438371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Brion
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Valérie Dormal
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Séverine Lannoy
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Serge Mertens
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Saint-Martin Hospital, Dave, Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, St Luc Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Brion M, D'Hondt F, Pitel AL, Lecomte B, Ferauge M, de Timary P, Maurage P. Executive functions in alcohol-dependence: A theoretically grounded and integrative exploration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 177:39-47. [PMID: 28554151 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-dependence is related to large-scale cognitive impairments, particularly for executive functions (EF). These deficits persist even after long-term abstinence and have a major impact on patients' everyday life and relapse risk. Earlier studies, based on multi-determined tasks, mostly focused on inhibition and did not offer a theoretically-grounded and exhaustive view of the differential deficit across EF. The present paper proposes a model-based exploration of EF in alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC), to precisely compare the specific deficit related to each executive subcomponent. METHODS Forty-seven recently detoxified ALC were compared to 47 matched healthy participants on a nine-tasks validated neuropsychological battery, simultaneously exploring and comparing the three main executive subcomponents (shifting, updating, and inhibition). Psychopathological comorbidities were also controlled for. RESULTS Reaction time indexes revealed a global slowing down among ALC, whatever the EF explored. Accuracy indexes revealed a moderate deficit for inhibition tasks but a massive impairment for shifting and updating ones. Complementary analyses indicated that the executive deficits observed were centrally related to alcohol-dependence, while comorbid depressive symptoms appeared to intensify the deficits observed. CONCLUSIONS By offering a direct comparison between the three major EF, these results showed that alcohol-related executive deficits extend beyond the classically described inhibition impairment. This impairment encompasses each EF subcomponent, as ALC actually presented stronger deficits for updating and shifting abilities. This first observation of a multifaceted EF deficit stresses the need for an individualized evaluation and rehabilitation of EF during and/or after the detoxification process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Brion
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain,10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Fabien D'Hondt
- Univ. Lille, CNRS UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, psyCHIC team,1 Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France; CHU Lille, Clinique de Psychiatrie, CURE, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Anne-Lise Pitel
- INSERM, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Université de Caen-Normandie, Unité U1077, GIP Cyceron, CHU Caen, F-14000 Caen, France
| | - Benoît Lecomte
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Saint-Martin Hospital, 84 rue Saint-Hubert, B-5100 Dave, Belgium
| | - Marc Ferauge
- Department of Addiction Rehabilitation, Beau-Vallon Hospital, 205 rue de Bricgniot, B-5002 Saint-Servais, Belgium
| | - Philippe de Timary
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain,10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Department of Adult Psychiatry, St Luc Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain,10 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Maurage
- Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain,10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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7
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Lee DW, Nam YK, Kim TK, Kim JH, Kim SY, Min JW, Lee JH, Kim HY, Kim DJ, Choe BY. Dose-dependent influence of short-term intermittent ethanol intoxication on cerebral neurochemical changes in rats detected by ex vivo proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neuroscience 2014; 262:107-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.12.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Revised: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Craving in alcohol-dependent patients after detoxification is related to glutamatergic dysfunction in the nucleus accumbens and the anterior cingulate cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:1401-8. [PMID: 23403696 PMCID: PMC3682141 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The upregulation of glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission is thought to be partly responsible for the acute withdrawal symptoms and craving experienced by alcohol-dependent patients. Most physiological evidence supporting this hypothesis is based on data from animal studies. In addition, clinical data show that GABAergic and anti-glutamatergic drugs ameliorate withdrawal symptoms, offering indirect evidence indicative of glutamatergic hyperexcitability in alcohol-dependent subjects. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify the glutamate (Glu) levels in healthy control subjects and in alcohol-dependent patients immediately after detoxification. The volumes of interest were located in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which are two brain areas that have important functions in reward circuitry. In addition to Glu, we quantified the levels of combined Glu and glutamine (Gln), N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds, and creatine. The Glu levels in the NAcc were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Craving, which was measured using the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale, correlated positively with levels of combined Glu and Gln in the NAcc and in the ACC. The levels of all other metabolites were not significantly different between patients and controls. The increased Glu levels in the NAcc in alcohol-dependent patients shortly after detoxification confirm the animal data and suggest that striatal glutamatergic dysfunction is related to ethanol withdrawal. The positive correlation between craving and glutamatergic metabolism in both key reward circuitry areas support the hypothesis that the glutamatergic system has an important role in the later course of alcohol dependence with respect to abstinence and relapse.
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Kroenke CD, Flory GS, Park B, Shaw J, Rau AR, Grant KA. Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption differentially alters gray and white matter EtOH methyl ¹H magnetic resonance intensity in the primate brain. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2013; 37:1325-32. [PMID: 23550738 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has previously been used to directly monitor brain ethanol (EtOH). It has been proposed that the EtOH methyl ¹H resonance intensity is larger in EtOH-tolerant individuals than in sensitive individuals. To characterize the relationship between long-term EtOH exposure and the brain EtOH MRS intensity, we present data from a longitudinal experiment conducted using nonhuman primate subjects. METHODS In vivo MRS was used to measure the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) EtOH methyl ¹H MRS intensity in 18 adult male rhesus macaques at 4 time points throughout the course of a chronic drinking experiment. Time points were prior to EtOH drinking, following a 3-month EtOH induction procedure, and following 6, and 12 subsequent months of 22 h/d of "open access" to EtOH (4% w/v) and water. RESULTS The EtOH methyl ¹H MRS intensity, which we observed to be independent of age over the range examined, increased with chronic EtOH exposure in GM and WM. In GM, MRS intensity increased from naïve level following the EtOH induction period (90 g/kg cumulative EtOH intake). In WM, MRS intensity was not significantly different from the EtOH-naïve state until after 6 months of 22-hour free access (110 to 850 g/kg cumulative intake range). The WM MRS intensity in the EtOH-naïve state was positively correlated with future drinking, and the increase in WM MRS intensity was negatively correlated with the amount of EtOH consumed throughout the experiment. CONCLUSIONS Chronic exposure to EtOH is associated with brain changes that result in differential increases in EtOH MRS intensity in GM and WM. The EtOH-naïve WM MRS intensity pattern is consistent with its previously proposed relationship to innate tolerance to the intoxicating effects of EtOH. EtOH-dependent MRS intensity changes in GM required less EtOH exposure than was necessary to produce changes in WM. Within WM, an unexpected, potentially age dependent, enhanced sensitivity to EtOH in light drinkers relative to heavy drinkers was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Gomez R, Behar KL, Watzl J, Weinzimer SA, Gulanski B, Sanacora G, Koretski J, Guidone E, Jiang L, Petrakis IL, Pittman B, Krystal JH, Mason GF. Intravenous ethanol infusion decreases human cortical γ-aminobutyric acid and N-acetylaspartate as measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 4 tesla. Biol Psychiatry 2012; 71:239-46. [PMID: 21855054 PMCID: PMC3227760 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethanol modulates glutamate and γ-aminobutyric (GABA) function. However, little is known about the acute pharmacologic effects of ethanol on levels of GABA, glutamate, and other metabolites measurable in the human cortex in vivo with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). METHODS Eleven healthy social drinkers received two intravenous ethanol infusions that raised breath alcohol levels to a clamped plateau of 60 mg/dL over 60-70 min. The first infusion established tolerability of the procedure, and the second procedure, conducted 15 ± 12 days later, was performed during (1)H-MRS of occipital GABA, glutamate, and other metabolites. RESULTS The time course of brain ethanol approximated that of breath ethanol, but venous ethanol lagged by approximately 7 min. The GABA fell 13 ± 8% after 5 min of the ethanol infusion and remained reduced (p = .003) throughout the measurement. The combination of N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartyl glutamate (summed as NAA) fell steadily during the infusion by 8 ± 3% (p = .0036). CONCLUSIONS Ethanol reduced cortical GABA and NAA levels in humans. Reductions in GABA levels are consistent with facilitation of GABA(A) receptor function by ethanol. The gradual decline in NAA levels suggests inhibition of neural or metabolic activity in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosane Gomez
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Kochunov P, Coyle T, Lancaster J, Robin DA, Hardies J, Kochunov V, Bartzokis G, Stanley J, Royall D, Schlosser AE, Null M, Fox PT. Processing speed is correlated with cerebral health markers in the frontal lobes as quantified by neuroimaging. Neuroimage 2010; 49:1190-9. [PMID: 19796691 PMCID: PMC2789896 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 08/08/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored relationships between decline in cognitive processing speed (CPS) and change in frontal lobe MRI/MRS-based indices of cerebral integrity in 38 healthy adults (age 57-90 years). CPS was assessed using a battery of four timed neuropsychological tests: Grooved Pegboard, Coding, Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Category Fluency (Fruits and Furniture). The neuropsychological tests were factor analyzed to extract two components of CPS: psychomotor (PM) and psychophysical (PP). MRI-based indices of cerebral integrity included three cortical measurements per hemisphere (GM thickness, intergyral and sulcal spans) and two subcortical indices (fractional anisotropy (FA), measured using track-based spatial statistics (TBSS), and the volume of hyperintense WM (HWM)). MRS indices included levels of choline-containing compounds (GPC+PC), phosphocreatine plus creatine (PCr+Cr), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA), measured bilaterally in the frontal WM bundles. A substantial fraction of the variance in the PM-CPS (58%) was attributed to atrophic changes in frontal WM, observed as increases in sulcal span, declines in FA values and reductions in concentrations of NAA and choline-containing compounds. A smaller proportion (20%) of variance in the PP-CPS could be explained by bilateral increases in frontal sulcal span and increases in HWM volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kochunov
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Research Imaging Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA.
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12
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Flory GS, O'Malley J, Grant KA, Park B, Kroenke CD. Quantification of ethanol methyl (1)H magnetic resonance signal intensity following intravenous ethanol administration in primate brain. Methods 2009; 50:189-98. [PMID: 20018244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo(1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to directly monitor brain ethanol. Previously, studies of human subjects have lead to the suggestion that the ethanol methyl (1)H MRS signal intensity relates to tolerance to ethanol's intoxicating effects. More recently, the ethanol (1)H MRS signal intensity has been recognized to vary between brain gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to differences in T(2) within these environments. The methods presented here extend ethanol MRS techniques to non-human primate subjects. Twelve monkeys were administered ethanol while sedated and positioned within a 3T MRI system. Chemical shift imaging (CSI) measurements were performed following intravenous infusion of 1g/kg ethanol. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were also recorded for each monkey to provide volume fractions of GM, WM, and CSF for each CSI spectrum. To estimate co-variance of ethanol MRS intensity with GM, WM, and CSF volume fractions, the relative contribution of each tissue subtype was determined following corrections for radiofrequency pulse profile non-uniformity, chemical shift artifacts, and differences between the point spread function in the CSI data and the imaging data. The ethanol MRS intensity per unit blood ethanol concentration was found to differ between GM, WM, and CSF. Individual differences in MRS intensity were larger in GM than WM. This methodology demonstrates the feasibility of ethanol MRS experiments and analysis in non-human primate subjects, and suggests GM may be a site of significant variation in ethanol MRS intensity between individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham S Flory
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
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Abstract
Stress is an important factor known to increase alcohol and drug relapse risk. This paper examines the stress-related processes that influence addiction relapse. First, individual patient vignettes of stress- and cue-related situations that increase drug seeking and relapse susceptibility are presented. Next, empirical findings from human laboratory and brain-imaging studies that are consistent with clinical observations and support the specific role of stress processes in the drug-craving state are reviewed. Recent findings on differences in stress responsivity in addicted versus matched community social drinkers are reviewed to demonstrate alterations in stress pathways that could explain the significant contribution of stress-related mechanisms on craving and relapse susceptibility. Finally, significant implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed, with a specific focus on the development of novel interventions that target stress processes and drug craving to improve addiction relapse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajita Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, Room S110, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
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Yeo RA, Phillips JP, Jung RE, Brown AJ, Campbell RC, Brooks WM. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects brain injury and predicts cognitive functioning in children with brain injuries. J Neurotrauma 2006; 23:1427-35. [PMID: 17020480 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2006.23.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and neuropsychological assessment were utilized in a longitudinal investigation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children. A spectroscopic imaging protocol was implemented, and neurometabolite ratios of NAA/Cre and Cho/Cre were calculated for anterior and posterior halves of a supraventricular slab of brain tissue. NAA/Cre was reduced and Cho/Cre increased in TBI patients as compared to controls, for both brain regions. Each ratio predicted aspects of neuropsychological performance, though the specific relationships varied somewhat by region and function. Anterior NAA/Cre increased and anterior Cho/Cre decreased from 3 to 21 weeks post-injury, suggesting neurometabolic recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
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Novotny Jr EJ. Metabolic brain imaging by magnetic resonance. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2006. [DOI: 10.2217/14796708.1.5.659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Novel magnetic resonance methods have been developed to noninvasively measure biochemical compounds in the human brain as guided by magnetic resonance imaging. Together, these methods are referred to as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and can be divided into three major categories: single voxel MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and dynamic MRS, which is a novel adaption of the first method. The techniques and range of biochemical compounds that can be measured safely and serially are advancing rapidly, with many technical developments. MRS methods, when applied to the human brain, have an important diagnostic role, help monitor and guide therapeutic interventions and provide a tool to investigate the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease processes, normal brain development and neuropharmacology in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Novotny Jr
- Yale University, School of Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatrics, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were utilized to evaluate functional and metabolic brain changes in drug abusers. METHODS Functional neuroimaging studies in alcohol, cocaine, cigarette, and cannabis abusers were reviewed in the medical literature from 2000 to 2005. RESULTS Brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging is different in drug abusers and may show more or less activation according to the task and gender. Lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate and higher creatine are usually seen with 1H-MRS in the brains of cigarette smokers, people who are cocaine dependent, and alcohol abusers. CONCLUSIONS Neural substrates of drug addition, craving, drug interaction, individual abstinence, and drug withdrawal can be studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro C Magalhaes
- Wayne State University, Department of Radiology, Troy, Michigan 48098, USA.
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