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Varodayan FP, Erikson CM, Scroger MV, Roberto M. Noradrenergic mechanisms and circuitry of hyperkatifeia in alcohol use disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01609-3. [PMID: 39304172 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.09.009] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Hyperkatifeia, the manifestation of emotional distress or pain, is a conceptual framework gaining traction throughout the alcohol and other substance use fields as an important driver of addiction. It is well known that previous or current negative life experiences can serve as powerful motivators for excessive alcohol consumption and precipitate the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD). A major hallmark of later stages of AUD is the emergence of hyperkatifeia during withdrawal, which can persist well into protracted abstinence to drive relapse. Given these complex interactions, understanding the specific neuroadaptations that lie at the intersection of hyperkatifeia and AUD can inform ongoing therapeutic development. Of particular interest is the monoamine norepinephrine (NE). Noradrenergic dysfunction is implicated in AUD, anxiety, chronic stress, depression, and emotional and physical pain. Importantly, there are key sexual dimorphisms within the noradrenergic system that are thought to differentially impact the development and trajectory of AUD in women and men. The present review discusses past and recent work on noradrenergic influences at each stage of the AUD cycle (binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation) through the lens of hyperkatifeia. Evidence from these studies support the prioritization of NE-specific drug development to treat AUD and the identification of AUD subpopulations that may benefit the most from these therapies (e.g., women and people with comorbid chronic pain or anxiety/stress disorders).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence P Varodayan
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University - SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA.
| | - Chloe M Erikson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marcis V Scroger
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University - SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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2
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Maita I, Bazer A, Chae K, Parida A, Mirza M, Sucher J, Phan M, Liu T, Hu P, Soni R, Roepke TA, Samuels BA. Chemogenetic activation of corticotropin-releasing factor-expressing neurons in the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduces effortful motivation behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:377-385. [PMID: 37452139 PMCID: PMC10724138 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01646-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (aBNST) is associated with chronic stress and avoidance behavior. However, CRF + BNST neurons project to reward- and motivation-related brain regions, suggesting a potential role in motivated behavior. We used chemogenetics to selectively activate CRF+ aBNST neurons in male and female CRF-ires-Cre mice during an effort-related choice task and a concurrent choice task. In both tasks, mice were given the option either to exert effort for high value rewards or to choose freely available low value rewards. Acute chemogenetic activation of CRF+ aBNST neurons reduced barrier climbing for a high value reward in the effort-related choice task in both males and females. Furthermore, acute chemogenetic activation of CRF+ aBNST neurons also reduced effortful lever pressing in high-performing males in the concurrent choice task. These data suggest a novel role for CRF+ aBNST neurons in effort-based decision and motivation behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Maita
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Allyson Bazer
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Kiyeon Chae
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Amlaan Parida
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Mikyle Mirza
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jillian Sucher
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mimi Phan
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Tonia Liu
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Pu Hu
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Ria Soni
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Troy A Roepke
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Benjamin Adam Samuels
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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Athanason A, Nadav T, Cates-Gatto C, Roberts A, Roberto M, Varodayan F. Chronic ethanol alters adrenergic receptor gene expression and produces cognitive deficits in male mice. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100542. [PMID: 37197395 PMCID: PMC10184141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperkateifia and stress-induced alcohol cravings drive relapse in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The brain stress signal norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) tightly controls cognitive and affective behavior and was thought to be broadly dysregulated with AUD. The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major source of forebrain norepinephrine, and it was recently discovered that the LC sends distinct projections to addiction-associated regions suggesting that alcohol-induced noradrenergic changes may be more brain region-specific than originally thought. Here we investigated whether ethanol dependence alters adrenergic receptor gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and central amgydala (CeA), as these regions mediate the cognitive impairment and negative affective state of ethanol withdrawal. We exposed male C57BL/6J mice to the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor-2 bottle choice paradigm (CIE-2BC) to induce ethanol dependence, and assessed reference memory, anxiety-like behavior and adrenergic receptor transcript levels during 3-6 days of withdrawal. Dependence bidirectionally altered mouse brain α1 and β receptor mRNA levels, potentially leading to reduced mPFC adrenergic signaling and enhanced noradrenergic influence over the CeA. These brain region-specific gene expression changes were accompanied by long-term retention deficits and a shift in search strategy in a modified Barnes maze task, as well as greater spontaneous digging behavior and hyponeophagia. Current clinical studies are evaluating adrenergic compounds as a treatment for AUD-associated hyperkatefia, and our findings can contribute to the refinement of these therapies by increasing understanding of the specific neural systems and symptoms that may be targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.C. Athanason
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - T. Nadav
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - C. Cates-Gatto
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - A.J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - M. Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - F.P. Varodayan
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH) has effects on numerous cellular molecular targets, and alterations in synaptic function are prominent among these effects. Acute exposure to EtOH activates or inhibits the function of proteins involved in synaptic transmission, while chronic exposure often produces opposing and/or compensatory/homeostatic effects on the expression, localization, and function of these proteins. Interactions between different neurotransmitters (e.g., neuropeptide effects on release of small molecule transmitters) can also influence both acute and chronic EtOH actions. Studies in intact animals indicate that the proteins affected by EtOH also play roles in the neural actions of the drug, including acute intoxication, tolerance, dependence, and the seeking and drinking of EtOH. The present chapter is an update of our previous Lovinger and Roberto (Curr Top Behav Neurosci 13:31-86, 2013) chapter and reviews the literature describing these acute and chronic synaptic effects of EtOH with a focus on adult animals and their relevance for synaptic transmission, plasticity, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Molecular Medicine Department, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Mantsch JR. Corticotropin releasing factor and drug seeking in substance use disorders: Preclinical evidence and translational limitations. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100038. [PMID: 36531188 PMCID: PMC9757758 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), has been an enigmatic target for the development of medications aimed at treating stress-related disorders. Despite a large body of evidence from preclinical studies in rodents demonstrating that CRF receptor antagonists prevent stressor-induced drug seeking, medications targeting the CRF-R1 have failed in clinical trials. Here, we provide an overview of the abundant findings from preclinical rodent studies suggesting that CRF signaling is involved in stressor-induced relapse. The scientific literature that has defined the receptors, mechanisms and neurocircuits through which CRF contributes to stressor-induced reinstatement of drug seeking following self-administration and conditioned place preference in rodents is reviewed. Evidence that CRF signaling is recruited with repeated drug use in a manner that heightens susceptibility to stressor-induced drug seeking in rodents is presented. Factors that may determine the influence of CRF signaling in substance use disorders, including developmental windows, biological sex, and genetics are examined. Finally, we discuss the translational failure of medications targeting CRF signaling as interventions for substance use disorders and other stress-related conditions. We conclude that new perspectives and research directions are needed to unravel the mysterious role of CRF in substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Mantsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
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Maita I, Roepke TA, Samuels BA. Chronic stress-induced synaptic changes to corticotropin-releasing factor-signaling in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:903782. [PMID: 35983475 PMCID: PMC9378865 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.903782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The sexually dimorphic bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is comprised of several distinct regions, some of which act as a hub for stress-induced changes in neural circuitry and behavior. In rodents, the anterodorsal BNST is especially affected by chronic exposure to stress, which results in alterations to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-signaling pathway, including CRF receptors and upstream regulators. Stress increases cellular excitability in BNST CRF+ neurons by potentiating miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) amplitude, altering the resting membrane potential, and diminishing M-currents (a voltage-gated K+ current that stabilizes membrane potential). Rodent anterodorsal and anterolateral BNST neurons are also critical regulators of behavior, including avoidance of aversive contexts and fear learning (especially that of sustained threats). These rodent behaviors are historically associated with anxiety. Furthermore, BNST is implicated in stress-related mood disorders, including anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in humans, and may be linked to sex differences found in mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Maita
- Samuels Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Troy A. Roepke
- Roepke Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Benjamin A. Samuels
- Samuels Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States,*Correspondence: Benjamin A. Samuels,
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Borrego MB, Chan AE, Ozburn AR. Regulation of alcohol drinking by ventral striatum and extended amygdala circuitry. Neuropharmacology 2022; 212:109074. [PMID: 35487273 PMCID: PMC9677601 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder that can be modeled in rodents using a number of drinking paradigms. Drinking-in-the-dark (DID) is widely used to model the binge/intoxication stage of addiction, and chronic intermittent ethanol vapor procedures (CIE) are used to induce dependence and model withdrawal/negative affect induced escalation of drinking. We discuss experiments showing the ventral striatum (vStr) and extended amygdala (EA) are engaged in response to ethanol in rodents through c-Fos/Fos immunoreactivity studies. We also discuss experiments in rodents that span a wide variety of techniques where the function of vStr and EA structures are changed following DID or CIE, and the role of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems studies in these ethanol-related outcomes. We note where signaling systems converge across regions and paradigms and where there are still gaps in the literature. Dynorphin/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, as well as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)/CRF receptor signaling were found to be important regulators of drinking behaviors across brain regions and drinking paradigms. Future research will require that females and a variety of rodent strains are used in preclinical experiments in order to strengthen the generalizability of findings and improve the likelihood of success for testing potential therapeutics in human laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa B Borrego
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Amy E Chan
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Angela R Ozburn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Matzeu A, Wolfe SA, Curley DE, Khom S, Gandhi PJ, Rodriguez L, Bajo M, D'Ambrosio S, Sun H, Kerr TM, Gonzales RA, Leggio L, Natividad LA, Haass-Koffler CL, Martin-Fardon R, Roberto M. The Amygdala Noradrenergic System Is Compromised With Alcohol Use Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:1008-1018. [PMID: 35430085 PMCID: PMC9167785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a leading preventable cause of death. The central amygdala (CeA) is a hub for stress and AUD, while dysfunction of the noradrenaline stress system is implicated in AUD relapse. METHODS Here, we investigated whether alcohol (ethanol) dependence and protracted withdrawal alter noradrenergic regulation of the amygdala in rodents and humans. Male adult rats were housed under control conditions, subjected to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure to induce dependence, or withdrawn from chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure for 2 weeks, and ex vivo electrophysiology, biochemistry (catecholamine quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography), in situ hybridization, and behavioral brain-site specific pharmacology studies were performed. We also used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess gene expression of α1B, β1, and β2 adrenergic receptors in human postmortem brain tissue from men diagnosed with AUD and matched control subjects. RESULTS We found that α1 receptors potentiate CeA GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) transmission and drive moderate alcohol intake in control rats. In dependent rats, β receptors disinhibit a subpopulation of CeA neurons, contributing to their excessive drinking. Withdrawal produces CeA functional recovery with no change in local noradrenaline tissue concentrations, although there are some long-lasting differences in the cellular patterns of adrenergic receptor messenger RNA expression. In addition, postmortem brain analyses reveal increased α1B receptor messenger RNA in the amygdala of humans with AUD. CONCLUSIONS CeA adrenergic receptors are key neural substrates of AUD. Identification of these novel mechanisms that drive alcohol drinking, particularly during the alcohol-dependent state, supports ongoing new medication development for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence P Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Alessandra Matzeu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Dallece E Curley
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Pauravi J Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Shannon D'Ambrosio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Hui Sun
- Clinical Core Laboratory, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tony M Kerr
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland; Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Luis A Natividad
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Carolina L Haass-Koffler
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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Snyder AE, Silberman Y. Corticotropin releasing factor and norepinephrine related circuitry changes in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in stress and alcohol and substance use disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021; 201:108814. [PMID: 34624301 PMCID: PMC8578398 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects around 14.5 million individuals in the United States, with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affecting an additional 8.3 million individuals. Relapse is a major barrier to effective long-term treatment of this illness with stress often described as a key trigger for a person with AUD or SUD to relapse during a period of abstinence. Two signaling molecules, norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), are released during the stress response, and also play important roles in reward behaviors and the addiction process. Within the addiction literature, one brain region in which there has been increasing research focus in recent years is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is a limbic structure with numerous cytoarchitecturally and functionally different subregions that has been implicated in drug-seeking behaviors and stress responses. This review focuses on drug and stress-related neurocircuitry changes in the BNST, particularly within the CRF and NE systems, with an emphasis on differences and similarities between the major dorsal and ventral BNST subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela E Snyder
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | - Yuval Silberman
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, USA.
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10
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Luchsinger JR, Fetterly TL, Williford KM, Salimando GJ, Doyle MA, Maldonado J, Simerly RB, Winder DG, Centanni SW. Delineation of an insula-BNST circuit engaged by struggling behavior that regulates avoidance in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3561. [PMID: 34117229 PMCID: PMC8196075 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23674-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Active responses to stressors involve motor planning, execution, and feedback. Here we identify an insular cortex to BNST (insula→BNST) circuit recruited during restraint stress-induced active struggling that modulates affective behavior. We demonstrate that activity in this circuit tightly follows struggling behavioral events and that the size of the fluorescent sensor transient reports the duration of the struggle event, an effect that fades with repeated exposure to the homotypic stressor. Struggle events are associated with enhanced glutamatergic- and decreased GABAergic signaling in the insular cortex, indicating the involvement of a larger circuit. We delineate the afferent network for this pathway, identifying substantial input from motor- and premotor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and the amygdala. To begin to dissect these incoming signals, we examine the motor cortex input, and show that the cells projecting from motor regions to insular cortex are engaged shortly before struggle event onset. This study thus demonstrates a role for the insula→BNST pathway in monitoring struggling activity and regulating affective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Luchsinger
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tracy L Fetterly
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kellie M Williford
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gregory J Salimando
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Marie A Doyle
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jose Maldonado
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Richard B Simerly
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Danny G Winder
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Samuel W Centanni
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Chronic intermittent ethanol promotes ventral subiculum hyperexcitability via increases in extrinsic basolateral amygdala input and local network activity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8749. [PMID: 33888757 PMCID: PMC8062451 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus, particularly its ventral domain, can promote negative affective states (i.e. stress and anxiety) that play an integral role in the development and persistence of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The ventral hippocampus (vHC) receives strong excitatory input from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the BLA-vHC projection bidirectionally modulates anxiety-like behaviors. However, no studies have examined the effects of chronic alcohol on the BLA-vHC circuit. In the present study, we used ex vivo electrophysiology in conjunction with optogenetic approaches to examine the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure (CIE), a well-established rodent model of AUD, on the BLA-vHC projection and putative intrinsic vHC synaptic plasticity. We discovered prominent BLA innervation in the subicular region of the vHC (vSub). CIE led to an overall increase in the excitatory/inhibitory balance, an increase in AMPA/NMDA ratios but no change in paired-pulse ratios, consistent with a postsynaptic increase in excitability in the BLA-vSub circuit. CIE treatment also led to an increase in intrinsic network excitability in the vSub. Overall, our findings suggest a hyperexcitable state in BLA-vSub specific inputs as well as intrinsic inputs to vSub pyramidal neurons which may contribute to the negative affective behaviors associated with CIE.
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Young CE, Tong Q. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling in the Bed Nuclei of the Stria Terminalis as a Link to Maladaptive Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642379. [PMID: 33867924 PMCID: PMC8044981 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is a limbic region in the extended amygdala that is heavily implicated in anxiety processing and hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis activation. The BST is complex, with many nuclei expressing different neurotransmitters and receptors involved in a variety of signaling pathways. One neurotransmitter that helps link its functions is corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). BST CRH neuron activation may cause both anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in rodents, and CRH neurons interact with other neuron types to influence anxiety-like responses as well as alcohol and drug–seeking behavior. This review covers the link between BST CRH neurons and thirteen other neurotransmitters and receptors and analyzes their effect on rodent behavior. Additionally, it covers the translational potential of targeting CRH signaling pathways for the treatment of human mental health disorders. Given the massive impact of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders on our society, further research into BST CRH signaling is critical to alleviate the social and economic burdens of those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Emily Young
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Coker CR, Keller BN, Arnold AC, Silberman Y. Impact of High Fat Diet and Ethanol Consumption on Neurocircuitry Regulating Emotional Processing and Metabolic Function. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:601111. [PMID: 33574742 PMCID: PMC7870708 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.601111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of psychiatry disorders such as anxiety and depression has steadily increased in recent years in the United States. This increased risk for anxiety and depression is associated with excess weight gain, which is often due to over-consumption of western diets that are typically high in fat, as well as with binge eating disorders, which often overlap with overweight and obesity outcomes. This finding suggests that diet, particularly diets high in fat, may have important consequences on the neurocircuitry regulating emotional processing as well as metabolic functions. Depression and anxiety disorders are also often comorbid with alcohol and substance use disorders. It is well-characterized that many of the neurocircuits that become dysregulated by overconsumption of high fat foods are also involved in drug and alcohol use disorders, suggesting overlapping central dysfunction may be involved. Emerging preclinical data suggest that high fat diets may be an important contributor to increased susceptibility of binge drug and ethanol intake in animal models, suggesting diet could be an important aspect in the etiology of substance use disorders. Neuroinflammation in pivotal brain regions modulating metabolic function, food intake, and binge-like behaviors, such as the hypothalamus, mesolimbic dopamine circuits, and amygdala, may be a critical link between diet, ethanol, metabolic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric conditions. This brief review will provide an overview of behavioral and physiological changes elicited by both diets high in fat and ethanol consumption, as well as some of their potential effects on neurocircuitry regulating emotional processing and metabolic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Coker
- Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Bailey N. Keller
- Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Amy C. Arnold
- Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Yuval Silberman
- Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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14
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Alcohol. Alcohol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816793-9.00001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Rajbhandari AK, Bakshi VP. Repeated norepinephrine receptor stimulation in the BNST induces sensorimotor gating deficits via corticotropin releasing factor. Neuropharmacology 2020; 172:108090. [PMID: 32360378 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intense stress precipitates symptoms in disorders such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and schizophrenia. Patients with these disorders have dysfunctional sensorimotor gating as indexed by disrupted prepulse inhibition of the startle response (PPI), which refers to decreased startle response when a weak pre-stimulus precedes a startling stimulus. Stress promotes release of norepinephrine (NE) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) within the brain, neurotransmitters that also modulate PPI. We have shown that repeated stress causes sensitization of NE receptors within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) via CRF receptors and promotes long-lasting PPI disruptions and startle abnormalities. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is another crucial brain region that could be involved in stress-induced alterations in NE and CRF functions to promote PPI changes as this anatomical structure is enriched in CRF and NE receptors that have been shown to regulate each other. We hypothesized that repeated infusions of NE into the BNST would cross-sensitize CRF receptors or vice versa to alter PPI. Separate groups of male Sprague Dawley rats received, CRF (200ng/0.5 μl), NE (20μg/0.5 μl), or vehicle into the BNST, once/day for 3 days and PPI was tested after each infusion. Repeated CRF-or vehicle-treated rats were then challenged with a subthreshold dose of NE (0.3μg/0.5 μl) while repeated NE-treated rats were challenged with CRF (200ng/0.5 μl), and PPI was measured. Surprisingly, initial/repeated CRF or vehicle in the BNST had no effects on PPI. In contrast, initial and repeated NE disrupted PPI. Sub-threshold NE challenge in rats that previously received repeated CRF had no effect on PPI. Interestingly though, intra-BNST challenge dose of CRF significantly disrupted PPI in rats that previously had received repeated NE infusions. Taken together, these results indicate that repeated stress-induced NE release could alter the activity of CRF receptors in the BNST to modulate sensorimotor gating as measured through PPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abha Karki Rajbhandari
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719, USA; AKR Is Now at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, USA.
| | - Vaishali P Bakshi
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719, USA; AKR Is Now at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, USA
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