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Wang Q, Wang Y, Tian Y, Li Y, Han J, Tai F, Jia R. Social environment enrichment alleviates anxiety-like behavior in mice: Involvement of the dopamine system. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114687. [PMID: 37778421 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114687] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Rearing environment plays a vital role in maintaining physical and mental health of both animals and humans. Plenty of studies have proved that physical environment enrichment in adolescence has protective effects on emotion, social behavior, learning and memory deficits. However, the following effects of social environment enrichment in adolescence remain largely elusive. Using the paradigm of companion rotation (CR), the present study found that social environment enrichment reduced anxiety-like behaviors of early adult male C57BL/6J mice. CR group also showed significantly higher expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the ventral tegmental area and dopamine 1 receptor mRNA in the nucleus accumbens shell than control group. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that CR from adolescence to early adulthood can suppress the level of anxiety and upregulate dopaminergic neuron activity in early adult male C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yaoyao Tian
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Jing Han
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Rui Jia
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Science, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China.
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Schimmer J, Patwell R, Küppers S, Grinevich V. The Relationship Between Oxytocin and Alcohol Dependence. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37697074 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_444] [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: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is well known for its prosocial, anxiolytic, and ameliorating effects on various psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this chapter, we will first introduce the basic neurophysiology of the OT system and its interaction with other neuromodulatory and neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Next, we provide an overview over the current state of research examining the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the OT system as well as the effects of OT system manipulation on alcohol-related behaviors in rodents and humans. In rodent models of AUD, OT has been repeatedly shown to reduce ethanol consumption, particularly in models of acute alcohol exposure. In humans however, the results of OT administration on alcohol-related behaviors are promising but not yet conclusive. Therefore, we further discuss several physiological and methodological limitations to the effective application of OT in the clinic and how they may be mitigated by the application of synthetic OT receptor (OTR) agonists. Finally, we discuss the potential efficacy of cutting-edge pharmacology and gene therapies designed to specifically enhance endogenous OT release and thereby rescue deficient expression of OT in the brains of patients with severe forms of AUD and other incurable mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Schimmer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ryan Patwell
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie Küppers
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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3
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Langgartner D, Koenen M, Kupfer S, Glogger L, Kurz L, Perez-Rivas LG, Theodoropoulou M, Noll-Hussong M, Vettorazzi S, Tuckermann J, Reber SO. Intact GR dimerization is critical for restraining plasma ACTH levels during chronic psychosocial stress. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100541. [PMID: 37215522 PMCID: PMC10196852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100541] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male C57BL/6N mice exposed to the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC; 19 days) paradigm, a preclinically validated model of chronic psychosocial stress, are characterized by unaffected basal morning plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations despite adrenal and pituitary hyperplasia and increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) plasma concentrations, compared with single-housed control (SHC) mice. However, as CSC mice are still able to show an increased CORT secretion towards novel heterotypic stressors, these effects might reflect an adaptation rather than a functional breakdown of general hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functionality. In the present study we used male mice of a genetically modified mouse line, to investigate whether genetically-driven ACTH overexpression compromises adaptational processes occurring at the level of the adrenals during CSC exposure. Experimental mice carried a point mutation in the DNA binding domain of the glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR), attenuating dimerization of GR (GRdim), resulting in a congenially compromised negative feedback inhibition at the level of the pituitary. In line with previous studies, CSC mice in both the wild type (WT; GR+/+) and GRdim group developed adrenal enlargement. Moreover, compared with respective SHC and WT mice, CSC GRdim mice show increased basal morning plasma ACTH and CORT concentrations. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed neither a genotype effect, nor a CSC effect on pituitary mRNA expression of the ACTH precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Finally, CSC increased anxiety-related behavior, active coping and splenocyte in vitro (re)activity in both WT and GRdim mice, while a CSC-induced increase in adrenal lipid vesicles and splenic GC resistance was detectable only in WT mice. Of note, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocytes of GRdim mice were resistant to the inhibitory effects of CORT. Together our findings support the hypothesis that pituitary ACTH protein concentration is negatively controlled by GR dimerization under conditions of chronic psychosocial stress, while POMC gene transcription is not dependent on intact GR dimerization under both basal and chronic stress conditions. Finally, our data suggest that adrenal adaptations during chronic psychosocial stress (i.e., ACTH desensitization), aiming at the prevention of prolonged hypercorticism, are protective only to a certain threshold of plasma ACTH levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Langgartner
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mascha Koenen
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandra Kupfer
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lisa Glogger
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lisa Kurz
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luis Gustavo Perez-Rivas
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic IV, LMU Clinic, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marily Theodoropoulou
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic IV, LMU Clinic, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Noll-Hussong
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Vettorazzi
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan O. Reber
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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Pagliusi M, Franco D, Cole S, Morais-Silva G, Chandra R, Fox ME, Iñiguez SD, Sartori CR, Lobo MK. The BDNF-TrkB Pathway Acts Through Nucleus Accumbens D2 Expressing Neurons to Mediate Stress Susceptible Outcomes. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:854494. [PMID: 35722560 PMCID: PMC9200970 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.854494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a critical role in stress response including neuropsychiatric disorders that are precipitated by stress, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). BDNF acts through its full-length BDNF receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) to trigger a pro-plasticity effect. In contrast, the truncated isoform of the BDNF receptor (TrkB.t1) triggers an anti-plasticity effect. In stress outcomes, BDNF acting in the hippocampus has a stress resilience effect, and, inversely, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), BDNF acts as a stress susceptible molecule. It is unknown if BDNF-TrkB acts on a specific NAc projection neuron, i.e., medium spiny neuron (MSN or spiny projection neuron), a subtype in stress outcomes. To determine this, we performed chronic social or vicarious witness defeat stress (CSDS or CWDS) in mice expressing TrkB.t1 in dopamine receptor 1 or 2 containing MSNs (D1- or D2-MSNs). Our results showed that TrkB.t1 overexpression in NAc D2-MSNs prevented the CSDS-induced social avoidance or other stress susceptible behaviors in male and female mice. We further showed that this overexpression in D2-MSNs blocked stress susceptible behavior induced by intra-NAc BDNF infusion. In contrast, our results demonstrate that overexpression of TrkB.t1 on NAc D1-MSNs facilitates the SDS susceptible behaviors. Our study provides enhanced details into the NAc cell subtype role of BDNF-TrkB signaling in stress outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pagliusi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shannon Cole
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Gessynger Morais-Silva
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Megan E. Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sergio D. Iñiguez
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Cesar R. Sartori
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Ryabinin AE, Zhang Y. Barriers and Breakthroughs in Targeting the Oxytocin System to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:842609. [PMID: 35295777 PMCID: PMC8919088 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.842609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of better treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is urgently needed. One promising opportunity for this development is the potential of targeting the oxytocin peptide system. Preclinical studies showed that administration of exogenous oxytocin or, more recently, stimulation of neurons expressing endogenous oxytocin lead to a decreased alcohol consumption across several rodent models. Initial clinical studies also showed that administration of oxytocin decreased craving for alcohol and heavy alcohol drinking. However, several more recent clinical studies were not able to replicate these effects. Thus, although targeting the oxytocin system holds promise for the treatment of AUD, more nuanced approaches toward development and application of these treatments are needed. In this mini-review we discuss potential caveats resulting in differential success of attempts to use oxytocin for modulating alcohol use disorder-related behaviors in clinical studies and evaluate three directions in which targeting the oxytocin system could be improved: (1) increasing potency of exogenously administered oxytocin, (2) developing oxytocin receptor agonists, and (3) stimulating components of the endogenous oxytocin system. Both advances and potential pitfalls of these directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey E. Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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6
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Reducing effect of the novel positive allosteric modulator of the GABA B receptor, COR659, on binge-like alcohol drinking in male mice and rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:201-213. [PMID: 34812900 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06022-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Binge drinking (BD) is a widespread drinkingpattern that may contribute to promote the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The comprehension of its neurobiological basis and the identification of molecules that may prevent BD are critical. Preclinical studies demonstrated that positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAB receptor effectively reduced, and occasionally suppressed, the reinforcing and motivational properties of alcohol in rodents, suggesting their potential use as pharmacotherapy for AUD, including BD. Recently, we demonstrated that COR659, a novel GABAB PAM, effectively reduced (i) alcohol drinking under the 2-bottle choice regimen, (ii) alcohol self-administration under both fixed and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, and (iii) cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats. OBJECTIVES The present study investigated whether the "anti-alcohol" properties of COR659 extend to binge-like drinking in rodents. METHODS COR659 was tested on the "drinking in the dark" (DID) paradigm in C57BL/6J mice and the 4-bottle "alcohol [10%, 20%, 30% (v/v)] versus water" choice regimen with limited and unpredictable access to alcohol in sP rats. RESULTS Acute administration of non-sedative doses of COR659 (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg; i.p.) effectively and selectively suppressed the intake of intoxicating amounts of alcohol (> 2 g/kg) consumed by C57BL/6J mice and sP rats exposed to these binge-like drinking experimental procedures. CONCLUSIONS The present data demonstrate the ability of COR659 to suppress binge-like drinking in rodents and strengthen the hypothesis that GABAB PAMs may represent a potentially effective pharmacotherapy for alcohol misuse.
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Abstract
Preclinical research over the past several decades has demonstrated a role for the γ-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) receptor in alcohol use disorder (AUD). This chapter offers an examination of preclinical evidence on the role of the GABAB receptor on alcohol-related behaviors with a particular focus on the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen, for which effects have been most extensively studied, and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAB receptor. Studies employing rodent and non-human primate models have shown that activation of the GABAB receptor can reduce (1) stimulating and rewarding effects of alcohol; (2) signs of alcohol withdrawal in rats made physically dependent on alcohol; (3) acquisition and maintenance of alcohol drinking under a two-bottle alcohol versus water choice procedure; (4) alcohol intake under oral operant self-administration procedures; (5) motivational properties of alcohol measured using extinction and progressive ratio procedures; (6) the increase in alcohol intake after a period of alcohol abstinence (the alcohol deprivation effect or ADE); and (7) the ability of alcohol cues and stress to reinstate alcohol seeking when alcohol is no longer available. Baclofen and GABAB PAMs reduce the abovementioned behaviors across different preclinical models, which provides strong evidence for a significant role of the GABAB receptor in alcohol-related behaviors and supports development of medications targeting GABAB receptors for the treatment of AUD. This chapter highlights the value of examining mechanisms of alcohol-related behaviors across multiple animal models to increase the confidence in identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- August F Holtyn
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Elise M Weerts
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Bowen MT, George O, Muskiewicz DE, Hall FS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ESCALATION OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 132:730-756. [PMID: 34839930 PMCID: PMC8892842 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding factors that contribute to the escalation of alcohol consumption is key to understanding how an individual transitions from non/social drinking to AUD and to providing better treatment. In this review, we discuss how the way ethanol is consumed as well as individual and environmental factors contribute to the escalation of ethanol consumption from intermittent low levels to consistently high levels. Moreover, we discuss how these factors are modelled in animals. It is clear a vast array of complex, interacting factors influence changes in alcohol consumption. Some of these factors act early in the acquisition of ethanol consumption and initial escalation, while others contribute to escalation of ethanol consumption at a later stage and are involved in the development of alcohol dependence. There is considerable need for more studies examining escalation associated with the formation of dependence and other hallmark features of AUD, especially studies examining mechanisms, as it is of considerable relevance to understanding and treating AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T. Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia,Corresponding Author: Michael T. Bowen, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia,
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Dawn E. Muskiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacology and Pharmacological Science, University of Toledo, OH, USA
| | - F. Scott Hall
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacology and Pharmacological Science, University of Toledo, OH, USA
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McNamara TA, Ito R. Relationship between voluntary ethanol drinking and approach-avoidance biases in the face of motivational conflict: novel sex-dependent associations in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1817-1832. [PMID: 33783557 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05810-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Aberrant approach-avoidance conflict processing may contribute to compulsive seeking that characterizes addiction. Exploration of the relationship between drugs of abuse and approach-avoidance behavior remains limited, especially with ethanol. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of voluntary ethanol consumption on approach-avoidance conflict behavior and to examine the potential approach/avoidance bias to predict drinking in male and female rats. METHODS Long-Evans rats consumed ethanol for 5 weeks under the intermittent access two-bottle choice (IA2BC) paradigm. Approach-avoidance tendencies were assessed before and after IA2BC drinking using a previously established cued approach-avoidance conflict maze task and the elevated plus maze (EPM). RESULTS Female rats displayed higher consumption of and preference for ethanol than males. In the conflict task, males showed greater approach bias towards cues predicting conflict than females. In females only, a median split and regression analysis of cued-conflict preference scores revealed that the more conflict-avoidant group displayed higher intake and preference for ethanol in the first few weeks of drinking. In both sexes, ethanol drinking did not affect cued-conflict preference, but ethanol exposure led to increased time spent in the central hub in the males only. Finally, anxiety levels in EPM predicted subsequent onset of ethanol drinking in males only. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight sex and individual differences in both drinking and approach-avoidance bias in the face of cued conflict and further suggest that cued-conflict preference should be examined as a potential predictor of ethanol drinking. Ethanol exposure may also affect the timing of decision-making in the face of conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanner A McNamara
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada. .,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada.
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Alcohol and oxytocin: Scrutinizing the relationship. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:852-864. [PMID: 34102150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The initial enthusiasm towards oxytocin (OXT) as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder has been recently tempered by recognizing existing gaps in literature and the recent appearance of a relatively small number of clinical studies with negative outcomes. On the other hand, several new studies continue to support the OXT system's potential for such treatment. In this review, we thoroughly analyze existing literature assessing both alcohol's effects on the OXT system and OXT's effects on alcohol-related behaviors. Both rodent and clinical research is discussed. We identify areas that have been studied extensively and those that have been undeservingly understudied. OXT's potential effects on tolerance, withdrawal, craving, anxiety and social behaviors, and how these processes ultimately affect alcohol consumption, are critically explored. We conclude that while OXT can affect alcohol consumption in males and females, more comprehensive studies on OXT's effects on alcohol-related tolerance, withdrawal, craving, anxiety and social affiliations in subjects of both sexes and across several levels of analyses are needed.
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Walcott AT, Ryabinin AE. Assessing effects of oxytocin on alcohol consumption in socially housed prairie voles using radio frequency tracking. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12893. [PMID: 32160654 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people each year. Currently approved pharmacotherapies have limited success in treating this disorder. Evidence suggests that this lack of success is partly due to how these pharmacotherapies are tested in preclinical settings. The vast majority of preclinical studies assessing the effects of pharmacotherapies on alcohol or drug self-administration are done in individually housed animals. However, it is known that alcohol and drug intake are heavily influenced by social settings. Here, we adapted radio frequency tracking technology to determine the effects of oxytocin, a potential therapy for alcohol use disorder, on alcohol consumption in socially housed male and female prairie voles. Voluntary alcohol consumption in these animals resulted in high daily alcohol intakes, blood ethanol concentrations that are considered intoxicating, and central changes in FosB immunoreactivity, indicative of changes in neural activity. Prairie voles that received oxytocin temporarily reduced alcohol consumption but not alcohol preference, compared with control prairie voles regardless whether their cagemates received a similar treatment or not. Our results demonstrate that oxytocin can decrease consummatory behaviors in the presence of peers that are not receiving this treatment, and therefore, its potential use in clinical trials is warranted. Moreover, effectiveness of other pharmacotherapies in preclinical studies can be tested in mixed-treatment socially housed animals similarly to clinical studies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre T. Walcott
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR 97239 USA
| | - Andrey E. Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Oregon Health & Science University Portland OR 97239 USA
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12
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Che X, Cai J, Liu Y, Xu T, Yang J, Wu C. Oxytocin signaling in the treatment of drug addiction: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107820. [PMID: 33600854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite great advances were achieved in understanding the neurobiology of drug addiction, the therapeutic options are severely limited, with poor effectiveness and serious side effects. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well known for its effects on uterine contraction, sexual/maternal behaviors, social affiliation, stress and learning/memory by interacting with the OXT receptor and other neuromodulators. Emerging evidence suggests that the acute or chronic exposure to drugs can affect the OXT system. Additionally, OXT administration can ameliorate a wide range of abused drug-induced neurobehavioral changes. Overall, OXT not only suppresses drug reward in the binge stage of drug addiction, but also reduces stress responses and social impairments during the withdrawal stage and, finally, prevents drug/cue/stress-induced reinstatement. More importantly, clinical studies have also shown that OXT can exert beneficial effects on reducing substance use disorders of a series of drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. Thus, the present review focuses on the role of OXT in treating drug addiction, including the preclinical and clinical therapeutic potential of OXT and its analogs on the neurobiological perspectives of drugs, to provide a better insight of the efficacy of OXT as a clinical addiction therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Che
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jialing Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Tianyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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13
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Caruso MA, Robins MT, Fulenwider HD, Ryabinin AE. Temporal analysis of individual ethanol consumption in socially housed mice and the effects of oxytocin. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:899-911. [PMID: 33404737 PMCID: PMC7786142 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05741-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The majority of preclinical studies assessing treatments for alcohol use disorder use singly housed animals. Because social factors affect ethanol intake, studies investigating such treatments in group-housed animals are needed. OBJECTIVES We investigated the effects of repeated oxytocin treatment on ethanol intake in socially housed male and female C57BL/6J mice. METHODS We used the novel "Herdsman" system implementing radiotracking technology to measure individual ethanol intake in group-housed animals. Mice were housed in same-sex groups of 4 per cage and exposed to 3 and 6% ethanol solutions. After baseline drinking was established, half of the animals in each cage received repeated intraperitoneal injections of 3 mg/kg oxytocin. RESULTS During baseline, females consumed more ethanol than males partly due to greater number of ethanol drinks taken by females. We also observed a gradual development of two peaks of ethanol consumption during the dark phase of the circadian cycle. The effects of oxytocin treatment were short-acting and varied across treatment days. Oxytocin significantly decreased ethanol intake on three out the four treatment days. On the fourth treatment day, oxytocin decreased ethanol intake and water intake. CONCLUSION The greater intake of ethanol in female mice is associated with the number of drinks taken. Oxytocin treatments not only cause an acute decrease in ethanol consumption, but can also change in efficacy over time. While the oxytocin system remains a promising therapeutic target for alcoholism, studies investigating longer periods of repeated oxytocin treatment and those using additional oxytocin receptor agonists are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Caruso
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road L470, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Meridith T. Robins
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road L470, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Hannah D. Fulenwider
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road L470, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Andrey E. Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road L470, Portland, OR 97239 USA
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14
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Bach P, Koopmann A, Bumb JM, Zimmermann S, Bühler S, Reinhard I, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Vollstädt-Klein S, Kiefer F. Oxytocin attenuates neural response to emotional faces in social drinkers: an fMRI study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:873-882. [PMID: 32076819 PMCID: PMC8236029 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oxytocin is a key mediator of emotional and social behavior that seems to be of relevance for the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. We thus investigated the effect of oxytocin on neural response and behavior during a face-matching task in a sample of social drinkers. METHODS Thirteen social drinkers underwent a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over functional magnetic resonance imaging face-matching task with and without prior intranasal application of 24 international units oxytocin. Effects of oxytocin and task condition (faces, shapes) on brain activation and individual task performance were assessed. RESULTS Face-matching compared to shape-matching trials resulted in higher brain activation in the bilateral amygdala, hippocampus and parts of the occipital gyri. Oxytocin application vs. placebo reduced activation in bilateral amygdala, parts of the frontal gyri, and the parietal lobe. Region of interest analyses indicated that the oxytocin-induced attenuation of amygdala response was specific to face-stimuli and associated with lower subjective alcohol craving, and a lower percentage of heavy-drinking days (defined as ≥ 5 standard drinks/day). CONCLUSION For the first time, we could show that a larger oxytocin-induced attenuation of amygdala response to fearful faces is associated with lower subjective craving for alcohol and percentage of heavy drinking days in social drinkers. Modulation of amygdala activation, induced by emotional stimuli, might represent a neurobiological substrate of oxytocin's protective effects on drug seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Bach
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany. .,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Anne Koopmann
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Malte Bumb
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Zimmermann
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Bühler
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Iris Reinhard
- Department of Biostatistics, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany ,Feuerlein Center on Translational Addiction Medicine (FCTS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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15
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Peris J, Steck MR, Krause EG. Oxytocin treatment for alcoholism: Potential neurocircuitry targets. Neuropharmacology 2020; 171:108091. [PMID: 32304701 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) has gained considerable interest in recent years as a potential treatment for alcoholism and other substance use disorders. Evidence continues to mount that OT administered either centrally, peripherally or intranasally can decrease ethanol intake in both humans and animal models. The potential mechanisms for the ability of OT to decrease ethanol reward, and importantly, cue- and stress-induced ethanol relapse, are explored by reviewing the specific neuronal circuits involved in mediating these actions and their sensitivity to OT. In addition to dopamine neurons that project from ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) to signal positively reinforcing events, OT receptors (OxTR) are also expressed by dopamine neurons that project from VTA to brain regions that can convey aversive properties of a stimulus. Moreover, OxTR are expressed by non-dopaminergic neurons in the VTA, such as GABA and glutamate neurons, which can both modulate the activity of dopamine VTA neurons locally (in opposite directions) or can project to other brain regions, including the NAc, where it can alter either positive reinforcement or aversion caused by ethanol. The ability of OT to regulate limbic circuitry and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is discussed as a potential mechanism for the ability of OT to inhibit ethanol-induced negative reinforcement. Together, understanding the diversity and complexity of OT regulation of ethanol reward may contribute to more effective use of OT as pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Peris
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Madeline R Steck
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Eric G Krause
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
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16
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King CE, Gano A, Becker HC. The role of oxytocin in alcohol and drug abuse. Brain Res 2020; 1736:146761. [PMID: 32142721 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) plays a key role in adaptive processes associated with reward, tolerance, memory and stress responses. Through interactions with brain reward and stress systems, OXT is known to play a role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly those that involve altered social integration, such as alcohol and drug addiction (Heilig et al., 2016). As such, there is growing interest in the oxytocin system as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders. Accumulating preclinical evidence suggests that administration of OXT influences the development of tolerance, sensitization and withdrawal symptoms, and modulates numerous alcohol/drug-seeking and alcohol/drug-taking behaviors. Further, there is some evidence to suggest that OXT may help to reverse neuroadaptations that occur as a result of chronic alcohol or drug exposure. To date, there have been only a handful of clinical studies conducted in alcohol and drug dependent populations. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical literature on the effects of OXT administration on alcohol- and drug-related behaviors. In addition, we discuss OXT interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis and multiple neurotransmitter systems within addiction circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E King
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Anny Gano
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
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17
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Jacob A, Wang P. Alcohol Intoxication and Cognition: Implications on Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:102. [PMID: 32116535 PMCID: PMC7029710 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge alcohol drinking is highly prevalent in young adults and results in 30% deaths per year in young males. Binge alcohol drinking or acute alcohol intoxication is a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Three FDA approved drugs are currently in use as therapy for AUD; however, all of them have contra-indications and limitations. Structural brain imaging studies in alcoholics have shown defects in the brain regions involved in memory, cognition and emotional processing. Positron emission tomography (PET) using radiotracers (e.g., 18FDG) and measuring brain glucose metabolism have demonstrated diagnostic and prognostic utility in evaluating patients with cognitive impairment. Using PET imaging, only a few exclusive human studies have addressed the relationship between alcohol intoxication and cognition. Those studies indicate that alcohol intoxication causes reduction in brain activity. Consistent with prior findings, a recent study by us showed that acute alcohol intoxication reduced brain activity in the cortical and subcortical regions including the temporal lobe consisting the hippocampus. Additionally, we have observed a strong correlation between reduction in metabolic activity and spatial cognition impairment in the hippocampus after binge alcohol exposure. We have also demonstrated the involvement of a stress response protein, cold inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP), as a potential mechanistic mediator in acute alcohol intoxication. In this review, we will first discuss in detail prior human PET imaging studies on alcohol intoxication as well as our recent study on acute alcohol intoxication, and review the existing literature on potential mechanisms of acute alcohol intoxication-induced cognitive impairment and therapeutic strategies to mitigate these impairments. Finally, we will highlight the importance of studying brain regions as part of a brain network in delineating the mechanism of acute alcohol intoxication-induced cognitive impairment to aid in the development of therapeutics for such indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha Jacob
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Ping Wang
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Department of Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
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18
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Fuchshuber J, Tatzer J, Hiebler-Ragger M, Trinkl F, Kimmerle A, Rinner A, Buchheim A, Schrom S, Rinner B, Leber K, Pieber T, Weiss E, Lewis AJ, Kapfhammer HP, Unterrainer HF. The Influence of an Attachment-Related Stimulus on Oxytocin Reactivity in Poly-Drug Users Undergoing Maintenance Therapy Compared to Healthy Controls. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:460506. [PMID: 33101071 PMCID: PMC7544992 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.460506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders (SUDs) have been described as a dysfunctional way to compensate for deficiencies in that person's underlying attachment system. Furthermore, the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), which is a critical component of the neurobiology of the attachment system, has been shown to effectively reduce addictive behavior and therefore has been discussed as a potential medication in SUD treatment. This study investigates variation in peripheral OT plasma levels as a function of exposure to an attachment-related stimulus in SUD patients compared to healthy controls (HCs). METHODS A total sample of 48 men, 24 inpatients in maintenance treatment who were diagnosed with poly-drug use disorder (PUD) and 24 HC, was investigated. A 15-min exposure to the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) was used as an attachment-related stimulus and coded for attachment status. Blood samples before and after the AAP-assessment were taken and assayed for OT levels. Variation in baselines level of OT was examined in relation to the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Adult Attachment-Scale (AAS), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). RESULTS Following the AAP stimulus controls showed no significant difference in OT levels elevation from baseline compared to the PUD group's OT levels. Furthermore, in the PUD group only OT-baseline-levels may be negatively associated with the AAS subscale "Comfort with Closeness" and "Anxiety" and lifetime substance use. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that peripheral OT levels in poly-drug users undergoing maintenance treatment are not significantly different in responsiveness to an attachment related stimulus compared to HC. With regard to non-significant tendencies observed in this study which hint toward decreased OT-reactivity in the PUD group, further research is needed to explore this hypothesis with increased statistical power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Fuchshuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.,CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Tatzer
- CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michaela Hiebler-Ragger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.,CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Trinkl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.,CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Kimmerle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.,CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Rinner
- CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Silke Schrom
- Department of Biomedical Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Beate Rinner
- Department of Biomedical Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Leber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Pieber
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Weiss
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrew J Lewis
- Discipline of Psychology, College of Science, Health, Engineering & Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Hans-Peter Kapfhammer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Human Friedrich Unterrainer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.,CIAR: Center for Integrative Addiction Research, Grüner Kreis Society, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Religious Studies, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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19
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Flanagan JC, Mitchell JM. Augmenting Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Co-Occurring Conditions with Oxytocin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 6:132-142. [PMID: 31763133 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-019-00171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review The goal of this manuscript is to review the extant literature examining the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms underlying the potential utility of intranasal oxytocin as a novel pharmacologic intervention for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and for the treatment of co-morbid PTSD and alcohol and substance use disorders. Recent findings Research indicates that intranasal oxytocin is a low-cost and easily accessible medication with an excellent safety profile. Oxytocin holds promise for facilitating more effective PTSD treatment, particularly when used in combination with evidence-supported psychotherapy interventions. There is still a significant need to identify the mechanisms of action underlying oxytocin treatment of PTSD, and to maximize methods of nasal spray delivery, examine dose-response outcomes, and clarify the characteristics of individuals and populations that are most likely to benefit from adjunctive oxytocin treatment. Summary Collectively, preclinical and human laboratory research suggest that oxytocin may be an effective mechanism by which treatment outcomes for PTSD and common comorbidities can be enhanced. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials are needed to address efficacy, identify predictors of treatment outcome, and to assess the use of intranasal oxytocin within appropriate PTSD populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne C Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Jennifer M Mitchell
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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20
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Langgartner D, Lowry CA, Reber SO. Old Friends, immunoregulation, and stress resilience. Pflugers Arch 2019; 471:237-269. [PMID: 30386921 PMCID: PMC6334733 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-018-2228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is a considerable body of evidence indicating that chronic adverse experience, especially chronic psychosocial stress/trauma, represents a major risk factor for the development of many somatic and affective disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic stress-associated disorders are still in large part unknown, and current treatment and prevention strategies lack efficacy and reliability. A greater understanding of mechanisms involved in the development and persistence of chronic stress-induced disorders may lead to novel approaches to prevention and treatment of these disorders. In this review, we provide evidence indicating that increases in immune (re-)activity and inflammation, potentially promoted by a reduced exposure to immunoregulatory microorganisms ("Old Friends") in today's modern society, may be causal factors in mediating the vulnerability to development and persistence of stress-related pathologies. Moreover, we discuss strategies to increase immunoregulatory processes and attenuate inflammation, as for instance contact with immunoregulatory Old Friends, which appears to be a promising strategy to promote stress resilience and to prevent/treat chronic stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Langgartner
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Denver, CO, 80220, USA
- Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Denver, CO, 80220, USA
| | - Stefan O Reber
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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21
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Flanagan JC, Allan NP, Calhoun CD, Badour CL, Moran-Santa Maria M, Brady KT, Back SE. Effects of oxytocin on stress reactivity and craving in veterans with co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2019; 27:45-54. [PMID: 30382728 PMCID: PMC6355345 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly prevalent and commonly co-occur. The dual diagnosis of PTSD/AUD is associated with serious negative sequalae, and there are currently no effective pharmacological treatments for this comorbidity. Both PTSD and AUD are characterized by dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps modulate stress reactivity. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide that attenuates HPA axis dysregulation, may be beneficial for individuals with co-occurring PTSD/AUD. Thus, the current study examined the effects of intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) as compared with placebo on stress reactivity (e.g., cortisol) as well as subjective alcohol craving in response to a laboratory stress task (Trier Social Stress Task). Participants were 67 male U.S. military veterans with current PTSD and AUD (oxytocin n = 32, placebo n = 35; overall mean age = 49.06 years). Baseline cortisol levels were examined as a moderator of outcome. The findings revealed that oxytocin marginally attenuated cortisol reactivity in response to the stress task. Furthermore, oxytocin's effect was moderated by baseline cortisol level, such that oxytocin mitigated cortisol reactivity to a greater extent among participants with higher, as compared with lower, baseline cortisol. Oxytocin did not reduce craving. Although preliminary, the findings are the first to examine oxytocin in co-occurring PTSD/AUD. The findings from this study contribute to the growing literature examining the potential utility of oxytocin among individuals with psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD and substance use disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne C. Flanagan
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | - Casey D. Calhoun
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | | | - Kathleen T. Brady
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
| | - Sudie E. Back
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
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22
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Skinner JA, Campbell EJ, Dayas CV, Garg ML, Burrows TL. The relationship between oxytocin, dietary intake and feeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in mice and rats. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 52:65-78. [PMID: 30315826 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin has been associated with food intake and feeding behaviour. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of oxytocin on dietary intake and feeding behaviour in rodent studies. Six electronic databases were searched to identify published studies to April 2018. Preclinical studies in mice and rats were included if they reported: (1) a dietary measure (i.e. food or nutrient and/or behaviour (2) an oxytocin measure, and (3) relationship between the two measures. A total of 75 articles (n = 246 experiments) were included, and study quality appraised. The majority of studies were carried out in males (87%). The top three oxytocin outcomes assessed were: exogenous oxytocin administration (n = 126), oxytocin-receptor antagonist administration (n = 46) and oxytocin gene deletion (n = 29). Meta-analysis of exogenous studies in mice (3 studies, n = 43 comparisons) and rats (n = 8 studies, n = 82 comparisons) showed an overall decrease in food intake with maximum effect shown at 2 h post-administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle A Skinner
- Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Erin J Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Manohar L Garg
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Tracy L Burrows
- Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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23
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Newman EL, Leonard MZ, Arena DT, de Almeida RMM, Miczek KA. Social defeat stress and escalation of cocaine and alcohol consumption: Focus on CRF. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:151-165. [PMID: 30450381 PMCID: PMC6236516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the ostensibly aversive effects of unpredictable episodes of social stress and the intensely rewarding effects of drugs of abuse activate the mesocorticolimbic dopamine systems. Significant neuroadaptations in interacting stress and reward neurocircuitry may underlie the striking connection between stress and substance use disorders. In rodent models, recurring intermittent exposure to social defeat stress appears to produce a distinct profile of neuroadaptations that translates most readily to the repercussions of social stress in humans. In the present review, preclinical rodent models of social defeat stress and subsequent alcohol, cocaine or opioid consumption are discussed with regard to: (1) the temporal pattern of social defeat stress, (2) male and female protocols of social stress-escalated drug consumption, and (3) the neuroplastic effects of social stress, which may contribute to escalated drug-taking. Neuroadaptations in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF modulation of monoamines in the ventral tegmental area and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are highlighted as potential mechanisms underlying stress-escalated drug consumption. However, the specific mechanisms that drive CRF-mediated increases in dopamine require additional investigation as do the stress-induced neuroadaptations that may contribute to the development of compulsive patterns of drug-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Newman
- Psychology Dept., Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | | | | | - Rosa M M de Almeida
- Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Klaus A Miczek
- Psychology Dept., Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.,Dept. of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
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Masis-Calvo M, Schmidtner AK, de Moura Oliveira VE, Grossmann CP, de Jong TR, Neumann ID. Animal models of social stress: the dark side of social interactions. Stress 2018; 21:417-432. [PMID: 29745275 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1462327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress occurs in all social species, including humans, and shape both mental health and future interactions with conspecifics. Animal models of social stress are used to unravel the precise role of the main stress system - the HPA axis - on the one hand, and the social behavior network on the other, as these are intricately interwoven. The present review aims to summarize the insights gained from three highly useful and clinically relevant animal models of psychosocial stress: the resident-intruder (RI) test, the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC), and the social fear conditioning (SFC). Each model brings its own focus: the role of the HPA axis in shaping acute social confrontations (RI test), the physiological and behavioral impairments resulting from chronic exposure to negative social experiences (CSC), and the neurobiology underlying social fear and its effects on future social interactions (SFC). Moreover, these models are discussed with special attention to the HPA axis and the neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin, which are important messengers in the stress system, in emotion regulation, as well as in the social behavior network. It appears that both nonapeptides balance the relative strength of the stress response, and simultaneously predispose the animal to positive or negative social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela Masis-Calvo
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Anna K Schmidtner
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | | | - Cindy P Grossmann
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Trynke R de Jong
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- b Medische Biobank Noord-Nederland B.V , Groningen , Netherlands
| | - Inga D Neumann
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
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Abstract
Interest for the use of oxytocin as a treatment for addiction began over 40years ago. Better known for its roles in parturition, lactation and pair bonding, oxytocin also has anxiolytic properties, reduces immune and inflammatory responses, and has a role in learning and memory. In this chapter, oxytocin effects on addiction processes are described by highlighting research findings that have used oxytocin within current preclinical animal models of addiction, relapse, or craving. First, we provide a brief background of the endogenous oxytocin system followed by descriptions of the behavioral models used to study addiction, including models of drug taking and seeking. Then we review recent preclinical studies that have used oxytocin as a therapeutic intervention throughout multiple stages of the addiction cycle from a behavioral and neurobiological perspective. These models encompass the entire range of the addiction cycle including acquisition and maintenance of drug taking, withdrawal and craving during periods of drug abstinence, and ultimately relapse. We then posit several theories about how oxytocin interacts with both drug and social reward, as well as presenting a mechanistic account of how specific oxytocin receptor localization may contribute to oxytocin's efficacy as an addiction therapeutic.
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Walker LC, Lawrence AJ. Investigational drug therapies in phase I and phase II clinical trials for alcohol use disorders. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:1-14. [PMID: 30019949 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1502269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex psychiatric condition characterized by craving, compulsive seeking, loss of control of alcohol consumption as well as the emergence of negative emotional states during withdrawal. Despite the large socioeconomic burden of AUD, therapeutic treatment options lag behind. AREAS COVERED This review covers pharmacotherapies currently in phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of AUDs listed on clinicaltrials.gov. We discuss drug therapies that modulate monoamine, GABA/Glutamate, neuropeptide and neuroimmune systems. We examine in depth preclinical and clinical evidence of a select range of these compounds and consider their utility in treating AUDs. EXPERT OPINION Current therapeutic options to treat AUD are inadequate at a population level. Currently there are 30 different compounds and one compound combination in phase I/II clinical trials for AUD. These compounds target various aspects of neurotransmitter signaling, neuroimmune modulation, and alcohol metabolism. Almost 75% of these compounds under trial are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for other indications, which may save time and costs in treatment development. Further, development of therapeutics focused on genetic biomarkers and behavioral screening may improve how treatment decisions are made in the future on a case-by-case basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- a Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health , University of Melbourne , Parkville , VIC , Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- a Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health , University of Melbourne , Parkville , VIC , Australia
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Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Rae M, Zanos P, Georgiou P, Chivers P, Bailey A, Camarini R. Environmental enrichment enhances conditioned place preference to ethanol via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:267-274. [PMID: 29908241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions, such as stress and environmental enrichment (EE), influence predisposition to alcohol use/abuse; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the effect of environmental conditions on the initial rewarding effects of alcohol, we examined conditioned place-preference (CPP) to alcohol following exposure to EE in mice. Since social context is a major factor contributing to initial alcohol-drinking, we also assessed the impact of EE on the levels of the "social neuropeptide" oxytocin (OT) and its receptor, OTR. Finally, we assessed the effect of pharmacological manipulations of the oxytocinergic system on EE-induced alcohol CPP. While EE increased sociability and reduced anxiety-like behaviors, it caused a ∼3.5-fold increase in alcohol reward compared to controls. EE triggered profound neuroadaptations of the oxytocinergic system; it increased hypothalamic OT levels and decreased OTR binding in the prefrontal cortex and olfactory nuclei of the brain. Repeated administration of the OT analogue carbetocin (6.4 mg/kg/day) mimicked the behavioral effects of EE on ethanol CPP and induced similar brain region-specific alterations of OTR binding as those observed following EE. Conversely, repeated administration of the OTR antagonist L,369-899 (5 mg/kg/day) during EE exposure, but not during the acquisition of alcohol CPP, reversed the pronounced EE-induced ethanol rewarding effect. These results demonstrate for the first time, a stimulatory effect of environmental enrichment exposure on alcohol reward via an oxytocinergic-dependent mechanism, which may predispose to alcohol abuse. This study offers a unique prospective on the neurobiological understanding of the initial stages of alcohol use/misuse driven by complex environmental-social interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rae
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Panos Zanos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Priti Chivers
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK; Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Ch’Ng SS, Lawrence AJ. Investigational drugs for alcohol use disorders: a review of preclinical data. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:459-474. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1472763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Ch’Ng
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Oxytocin Reduces Alcohol Cue-Reactivity in Alcohol-Dependent Rats and Humans. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1235-1246. [PMID: 29090683 PMCID: PMC5916348 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Approved pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorder are limited in their effectiveness, and new drugs that can easily be translated into the clinic are warranted. One of those candidates is oxytocin because of its interaction with several alcohol-induced effects. Alcohol-dependent rats as well as post-mortem brains of human alcoholics and controls were analyzed for the expression of the oxytocin system by qRT-PCR, in situ hybridization, receptor autoradiography ([125I]OVTA binding), and immunohistochemistry. Alcohol self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement behavior was measured after intracerebroventricular injection of 10 nM oxytocin in dependent rats. Here we show a pronounced upregulation of oxytocin receptors in brain tissues of alcohol-dependent rats and deceased alcoholics, primarily in frontal and striatal areas. This upregulation stems most likely from reduced oxytocin expression in hypothalamic nuclei. Pharmacological validation showed that oxytocin reduced cue-induced reinstatement response in dependent rats-an effect that was not observed in non-dependent rats. Finally, a clinical pilot study (German clinical trial number DRKS00009253) using functional magnetic resonance imaging in heavy social male drinkers showed that intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) decreased neural cue-reactivity in brain networks similar to those detected in dependent rats and humans with increased oxytocin receptor expression. These studies suggest that oxytocin might be used as an anticraving medication and thus may positively affect treatment outcomes in alcoholics.
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Abstract
Patients who suffer from alcohol use disorders (AUDs) usually go through various socio-behavioral and pathophysiological changes that take place in the brain and other organs. Recently, consumption of unhealthy food and excess alcohol along with a sedentary lifestyle has become a norm in both developed and developing countries. Despite the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption, chronic and/or excessive alcohol intake is reported to negatively affect the brain, liver and other organs, resulting in cell death, organ damage/failure and death. The most effective therapy for alcoholism and alcohol related comorbidities is alcohol abstinence, however, chronic alcoholic patients cannot stop drinking alcohol. Therefore, targeted therapies are urgently needed to treat such populations. Patients who suffer from alcoholism and/or alcohol abuse experience harmful effects and changes that occur in the brain and other organs. Upon stopping alcohol consumption, alcoholic patients experience acute withdrawal symptoms followed by a protracted abstinence syndrome resulting in the risk of relapse to heavy drinking. For the past few decades, several drugs have been available for the treatment of AUDs. These drugs include medications to reduce or stop severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detoxification as well as recovery medications to reduce alcohol craving and support abstinence. However, there is no drug that completely antagonizes the adverse effects of excessive amounts of alcohol. This review summarizes the drugs which are available and approved by the FDA and their mechanisms of action as well as the medications that are under various phases of preclinical and clinical trials. In addition, the repurposing of the FDA approved drugs, such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antidepressants and other medications, to prevent alcoholism and treat AUDs and their potential target mechanisms are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Akbar
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Mark Egli
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Young-Eun Cho
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Byoung-Joon Song
- Section of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Antonio Noronha
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Betka S, Gould Van Praag C, Paloyelis Y, Bond R, Pfeifer G, Sequeira H, Duka T, Critchley H. Impact of intranasal oxytocin on interoceptive accuracy in alcohol users: an attentional mechanism? Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:440-448. [PMID: 29618101 PMCID: PMC5928407 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interoception, i.e. the perception and appraisal of internal bodily signals, is related to the phenomenon of craving, and is reportedly disrupted in alcohol use disorders. The hormone oxytocin influences afferent transmission of bodily signals and, through its potential modulation of craving, is proposed as a possible treatment for alcohol use disorders. However, oxytocin's impact on interoception in alcohol users remains unknown. Healthy alcohol users (n = 32) attended two laboratory sessions to perform tests of interoceptive ability (heartbeat tracking: attending to internal signals and, heartbeat discrimination: integrating internal and external signals) after intranasal administration of oxytocin or placebo. Effects of interoceptive accuracy, oxytocin administration and alcohol intake, were tested using mixed-effects models. On the tracking task, oxytocin reduced interoceptive accuracy, but did not interact with alcohol consumption. On the discrimination task, we found an interaction between oxytocin administration and alcohol intake: Oxytocin, compared with placebo, increased interoceptive accuracy in heavy drinkers, but not in light social drinkers. Our study does not suggest a pure interoceptive impairment in alcohol users but instead potentially highlights reduced flexibility of internal and external attentional resource allocation. Importantly, this impairment seems to be mitigated by oxytocin. This attentional hypothesis needs to be explicitly tested in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Betka
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
- SCALab, CNRS UMR 9193, University of Lille, Lille 59045, France
| | | | - Yannis Paloyelis
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Rod Bond
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
| | - Gaby Pfeifer
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
| | | | - Theodora Duka
- Psychology Department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RR, UK
- Sussex Addiction Research and Intervention Centre (SARIC), University of Sussex, BN1 9RR, UK
| | - Hugo Critchley
- Clinical Imaging Science Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
- Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, BN1 9QJ, UK
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Flanagan JC, Fischer MS, Nietert PJ, Back SE, Maria MMS, Snead A, Brady KT. Effects of oxytocin on cortisol reactivity and conflict resolution behaviors among couples with substance misuse. Psychiatry Res 2018; 260:346-352. [PMID: 29232576 PMCID: PMC5988859 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Social stress, particularly in the form of dyadic conflict, is a well-established correlate of substance use disorders (SUD). The neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance prosocial behavior and mitigate addictive behaviors. These effects may be, in part, a result of oxytocin's ability to attenuate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. However, only one study to date has examined the effects of oxytocin on neuroendocrine reactivity or conflict resolution behavior among couples. Participants (N = 33 couples or 66 total participants) were heterosexual couples in which one or both partners endorsed substance misuse. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures design and an evidence-based behavioral coding system, we compared the impact of oxytocin (40 IU) vs. placebo on cortisol reactivity and conflict resolution behaviors. Among women, oxytocin attenuated cortisol response following the task. Oxytocin was also associated with increased Distress Maintaining Attributions and decreased Relationship Enhancing Attributions. Among men, oxytocin was associated with decreased Distress Maintaining Attributions, and both oxytocin and placebo yielded declines in Relationship Enhancing Attributions. The findings support emerging hypotheses that oxytocin may have differential effects in men and women, and indicate the need for future efforts to translate oxytocin's positive neurobiological effects into therapeutic behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul J Nietert
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sudie E Back
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | | | - Kathleen T Brady
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of oxytocin (OT) as a potential treatment for alcohol and other substance-use disorders. OT is a neuropeptide that modulates adaptive processes associated with addiction including reward, tolerance, associative learning, memory, and stress responses. OT exerts its effects through interactions with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and multiple neurotransmitter systems including the dopamine mesolimbic reward and corticotrophin-releasing factor stress systems. The effects of OT on stress systems are of high interest, given the strong link between stress, drug use and relapse, and known dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity associated with substance-use disorders. At the same time, the OT system is itself altered by acute or chronic drug exposure. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical literature on the OT system and its relevance to drug and alcohol addiction. In addition, findings from recent clinical trials conducted in participants with cocaine, cannabis, or alcohol use disorder are included and evidence that OT may help to normalize blunted stress responses, and attenuate withdrawal-associated hypercortisolism, negative mood, and withdrawal symptoms is summarized.
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Colombo G, Gessa GL. Suppressing Effect of Baclofen on Multiple Alcohol-Related Behaviors in Laboratory Animals. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:475. [PMID: 30323777 PMCID: PMC6172300 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper summarizes the several lines of experimental evidence demonstrating the ability of the prototypic GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, to suppress multiple alcohol-related behaviors in laboratory rodents and non-human primates exposed to validated experimental models of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specifically, treatment with baclofen has repeatedly been reported to suppress alcohol-induced locomotor stimulation, alcohol drinking (including binge- and relapse-like drinking), operant oral alcohol self-administration, alcohol seeking, and reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats and mice. Treatment with baclofen also reduced operant oral alcohol self-administration in baboons. Several of these effects appear to be mediated by GABAB receptors located in the ventral tegmental area. The often observed co-occurrence of "desired" pharmacological effects and "unwanted" sedative effects represents the major drawback of the preclinical, anti-alcohol profile of baclofen. Collectively, these data underline the role of the GABAB receptor in the mediation of several alcohol-related behaviors. These data possess remarkable translational value, as most of the above effects of baclofen have ultimately been reproduced in AUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato, Italy
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Foertsch S, Haffner-Luntzer M, Kroner J, Gross F, Kaiser K, Erber M, Reber SO, Ignatius A. Chronic psychosocial stress disturbs long-bone growth in adolescent mice. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:1399-1409. [PMID: 28982680 PMCID: PMC5769608 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.030916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a strong association between psychiatric and somatic disorders is generally accepted, little is known regarding the interrelationship between mental and skeletal health. Although depressive disorders have been shown to be strongly associated with osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, evidence from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients is less consistent. Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of chronic psychosocial stress on bone using a well-established murine model for PTSD. C57BL/6N mice (7 weeks old) were subjected to chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) for 19 days, whereas control mice were singly housed. Anxiety-related behavior was assessed in the open-field/novel-object test, after which the mice were euthanized to assess endocrine and bone parameters. CSC mice exhibited increased anxiety-related behavior in the open-field/novel-object test, increased adrenal and decreased thymus weights, and unaffected plasma morning corticosterone. Microcomputed tomography and histomorphometrical analyses revealed significantly reduced tibia and femur lengths, increased growth-plate thickness and reduced mineral deposition at the growth plate, suggesting disturbed endochondral ossification during long-bone growth. This was associated with reduced Runx2 expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate. Trabecular thicknesses and bone mineral density were significantly increased in CSC compared to singly housed mice. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was increased in bone marrow cells located at the growth plates of CSC mice, implying that local adrenergic signaling might be involved in the effects of CSC on the skeletal phenotype. In conclusion, chronic psychosocial stress negatively impacts endochondral ossification in the growth plate, affecting both longitudinal and appositional bone growth in adolescent mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Foertsch
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Melanie Haffner-Luntzer
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jochen Kroner
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Gross
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kathrin Kaiser
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Maike Erber
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan O Reber
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Anita Ignatius
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Bowen MT, Neumann ID. Rebalancing the Addicted Brain: Oxytocin Interference with the Neural Substrates of Addiction. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:691-708. [PMID: 29128108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Drugs that act on the brain oxytocin (OXT) system may provide a much-needed treatment breakthrough for substance-use disorders. Targeting the brain OXT system has the potential to treat addiction to all major classes of addictive substance and to intervene across all stages of the addiction cycle. Emerging evidence suggests that OXT is able to interfere with such a wide range of addictive behaviours for such a wide range of addictive substances by rebalancing core neural systems that become dysregulated over the course of addiction. By improving our understanding of these interactions between OXT and the neural substrates of addiction, we will not only improve our understanding of addiction, but also our ability to effectively treat these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Barajaz AM, Kliethermes CL. An assessment of the utilization of the preclinical rodent model literature in clinical trials of putative therapeutics for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 181:77-84. [PMID: 29035708 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rodent models of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are used extensively by preclinical researchers to develop new therapeutics for the treatment of AUD. Although these models play an important role in the development of novel, targeted therapeutics, their role in bringing therapeutics to clinical trials is unclear, as off-label use of existing medications not approved for the treatment of AUD is commonly seen in the clinic and clinical trials. METHOD In the current study, we used the Clinicaltrials.gov database to obtain a list of drugs that have been tested for efficacy in a clinical trial between 1997 and 2017. We then conducted a set of literature searches to determine which of the 98 unique drugs we identified had shown efficacy in a rodent model of an AUD prior to being tested in a clinical trial. RESULTS We found that slightly less than half of the drugs tested in clinical trials (48%) had shown prior efficacy in any rodent model of an AUD, while the remaining 52% of drugs were used off-label, or in some cases, following non-published studies. CONCLUSION This study raises the question of how clinical researchers incorporate results from preclinical studies in the decision to bring a drug to a clinical trial. Our results underscore the need for ongoing communication among preclinical and clinical researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Barajaz
- Drake University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 1344 27th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States
| | - Christopher L Kliethermes
- Drake University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, 1344 27th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States.
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Maccioni P, Lorrai I, Contini A, Leite-Morris K, Colombo G. Microinjection of baclofen and CGP7930 into the ventral tegmental area suppresses alcohol self-administration in alcohol-preferring rats. Neuropharmacology 2017; 136:146-158. [PMID: 29050951 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Systemic administration of the orthosteric agonist, baclofen, and several positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAB receptor has repeatedly been reported to decrease operant oral alcohol self-administration in rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of the mesolimbic dopamine system to the reducing effect of baclofen and GABAB PAMs on the reinforcing properties of alcohol. To this end, baclofen or the GABAB PAM CGP7930 were microinjected into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of selectively bred, Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats trained to self-administer alcohol. Baclofen (0, 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 μg) or CGP7930 (0, 5, 10, and 20 μg) were microinjected via indwelling unilateral guide cannula aiming at the left hemisphere of the VTA. Treatment with baclofen resulted in a dose-related suppression of the number of lever-responses for alcohol and the amount of self-administered alcohol. No dose of baclofen altered rat motor-performance, evaluated by the inverted screen test immediately before the self-administration session. Treatment with CGP7930 halved the number of lever-responses for alcohol and amount of self-administered alcohol, with no effect on rat motor-performance. Site-specificity was investigated testing the effect of microinjection of baclofen and CGP7930 into the left hemisphere of deep mesencephalic nucleus: compared to vehicle, neither 0.3 μg baclofen nor 20 μg CGP7930 altered lever-responding for alcohol and amount of self-administered alcohol. Collectively, the results of the present study suggest the involvement of GABAB receptors located in the VTA in the mediation of alcohol reinforcing properties in sP rats. This article is part of the "Special Issue Dedicated to Norman G. Bowery".
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Maccioni
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato, CA I-09042, Italy
| | - Irene Lorrai
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato, CA I-09042, Italy
| | - Andrea Contini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, SS I-07100, Italy
| | - Kimberly Leite-Morris
- Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Research Service, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Giancarlo Colombo
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Monserrato, CA I-09042, Italy.
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Pedersen CA. Oxytocin, Tolerance, and the Dark Side of Addiction. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:239-274. [PMID: 29056153 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorders blight the lives of millions of people and inflict a heavy financial burden on society. There is a compelling need for new pharmacological treatments as current drugs have limited efficacy and other major drawbacks. A substantial number of animal and recent clinical studies indicate that the neuropeptide, oxytocin, is a particularly promising therapeutic agent for human addictions, especially alcohol use disorders. In preliminary trials, we found that oxytocin administered by the intranasal route, which produces some neuropeptide penetration into the CNS, potently blocked withdrawal and reduced alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers. A considerable body of earlier animal studies demonstrated that oxytocin inhibits tolerance to alcohol, opioids, and stimulants as well as withdrawal from alcohol and opioids. Based on these preclinical findings and our clinical results, we hypothesize that oxytocin may exert therapeutic effects in substance dependence by the novel mechanism of diminishing established tolerance. A newer wave of studies has almost unanimously found that oxytocin decreases self-administration of a number of addictive substances in several animal models of addiction. Reduction of established tolerance should be included among the potential explanations of oxytocin effects in these studies and changes in tolerance should be examined in future studies in relationship to oxytocin influences on acquisition and reinstatement of self-administration as well as extinction of drug seeking. Oxytocin efficacy in reducing anxiety and stress responses as well as established tolerance suggests it may be uniquely effective in reducing negative reinforcement (Koob's "dark side" of addiction) that maintains chronic substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cort A Pedersen
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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41
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Du P, He Z, Cai Z, Hao X, Dong N, Yuan W, Hou W, Yang J, Jia R, Tai F. Chronic central oxytocin infusion impairs sociability in mandarin voles. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 161:38-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Langgartner D, Peterlik D, Foertsch S, Füchsl AM, Brokmann P, Flor PJ, Shen Z, Fox JG, Uschold-Schmidt N, Lowry CA, Reber SO. Individual differences in stress vulnerability: The role of gut pathobionts in stress-induced colitis. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 64:23-32. [PMID: 28012830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC), an established mouse model for chronic psychosocial stress, promotes a microbial signature of gut inflammation, characterized by expansion of Proteobacteria, specifically Helicobacter spp., in association with colitis development. However, whether the presence of Helicobacter spp. during CSC is critically required for colitis development is unknown. Notably, during previous CSC studies performed at Regensburg University (University 1), male specific-pathogen-free (SPF) CSC mice lived in continuous subordination to a physically present and Helicobacter spp.-positive resident. Therefore, it is likely that CSC mice were colonized, during the CSC procedure, with Helicobacter spp. originating from the dominant resident. In the present study we show that employing SPF CSC mice and Helicobacter spp.-free SPF residents at Ulm University (University 2), results in physiological responses that are typical of chronic psychosocial stress, including increased adrenal and decreased thymus weights, decreased adrenal in vitro adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responsiveness, and increased anxiety-related behavior. However, in contrast to previous studies that used Helicobacter spp.-positive resident mice, use of Helicobacter spp.-negative resident mice failed to induce spontaneous colitis in SPF CSC mice. Consistent with the hypothesis that the latter is due to a lack of Helicobacter spp. transmission from dominant residents to subordinate mice during the CSC procedure, colonization of SPF residents with Helicobacter typhlonius at University 2, prior to the start of the CSC model, rescued the colitis-inducing potential of CSC exposure. Furthermore, using SPF CSC mice and H. typhlonius-free SPF residents at University 1 prevented CSC-induced colitis. In summary, our data support the hypothesis that the presence or absence of exposure to certain pathobionts contributes to individual variability in susceptibility to stress-/trauma-associated pathologies and to reproducibility of stress-related outcomes between laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Langgartner
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Peterlik
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Foertsch
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrea M Füchsl
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Brokmann
- Animal Research Facility, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter J Flor
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Zeli Shen
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James G Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nicole Uschold-Schmidt
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Denver, CO 80220, USA; Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Stefan O Reber
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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Becker HC. Influence of stress associated with chronic alcohol exposure on drinking. Neuropharmacology 2017; 122:115-126. [PMID: 28431971 PMCID: PMC5497303 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Stress is commonly regarded as an important trigger for relapse and a significant factor that promotes increased motivation to drink in some individuals. However, the relationship between stress and alcohol is complex, likely changing in form during the transition from early moderated alcohol use to more heavy uncontrolled alcohol intake. A growing body of evidence indicates that prolonged excessive alcohol consumption serves as a potent stressor, producing persistent dysregulation of brain reward and stress systems beyond normal homeostatic limits. This progressive dysfunctional (allostatic) state is characterized by changes in neuroendocrine and brain stress pathways that underlie expression of withdrawal symptoms that reflect a negative affective state (dysphoria, anxiety), as well as increased motivation to self-administer alcohol. This review highlights literature supportive of this theoretical framework for alcohol addiction. In particular, evidence for stress-related neural, physiological, and behavioral changes associated with chronic alcohol exposure and withdrawal experience is presented. Additionally, this review focuses on the effects of chronic alcohol-induced changes in several pro-stress neuropeptides (corticotropin-releasing factor, dynorphin) and anti-stress neuropeptide systems (nocicepton, neuropeptide Y, oxytocin) in contributing to the stress, negative emotional, and motivational consequences of chronic alcohol exposure. Studies involving use of animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the dynamic stress-related physiological mechanisms and psychological underpinnings of alcohol addiction. This, in turn, is crucial for developing new and more effective therapeutics for treating excessive, harmful drinking, particularly stress-enhanced alcohol consumption. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Alcoholism".
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs, Charleston, SC 29464, USA.
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Stevenson JR, Young KA, Bohidar AE, Francomacaro LM, Fasold TR, Buirkle JM, Ndem JR, Christian SC. Alcohol Consumption Decreases Oxytocin Neurons in the Anterior Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus in Prairie Voles. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:1444-1451. [PMID: 28617958 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders are associated with dysfunctional social relationships and stress responses. The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are known to orchestrate or mediate many aspects of social behavior, stress responses, and ingestive behaviors. Because of the overlap between the effects of alcohol and the roles of OT and AVP, we sought to determine whether alcohol consumption altered expression of OT and AVP in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, one of the key sites for OT and AVP synthesis. METHODS Pair-housed adult male prairie voles were allowed to consume 15% ethanol versus water in the home cage continuously (Continuous-Access [CA] group) or every other day for 4 hours (Intermittent-Access [IA] group). Control animals never had access to alcohol. After 7 weeks, animals were sacrificed and their brains were removed and immunohistochemical analysis of OT- and AVP-immunopositive neurons was performed. RESULTS OT-immunopositive neurons were significantly decreased in the anterior PVN in the CA but not IA group, relative to Control animals, suggesting that continuous alcohol consumption decreases the number of OT neurons. There was no effect of alcohol consumption on posterior PVN OT neurons, and no effect on PVN AVP neurons. CONCLUSIONS These data show that continuous-access voluntary alcohol consumption is associated with decreased OT neurons in the anterior PVN, suggesting that alcohol-induced alterations in the OT system should be investigated as a mechanism for alcohol-related changes in social behavior, stress responses, and exacerbation of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie R Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Katelyn A Young
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Amelia E Bohidar
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa M Francomacaro
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Terra R Fasold
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Julia M Buirkle
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Jackie R Ndem
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Sara C Christian
- Department of Psychology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.,Program in Animal Behavior, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
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45
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Oxytocin reduces alcohol consumption in prairie voles. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:411-421. [PMID: 28716609 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) negatively affects millions of people every year in the United States, and effective treatments for AUD are still needed. The neuropeptide oxytocin has shown promise for reducing alcohol drinking in mice and rats. Because oxytocin also plays a key role in complex prosocial behaviors like bonding and attachment, we tested the effect of oxytocin on alcohol drinking in prairie voles, a species that both consumes high amounts of alcohol and forms oxytocin dependent social bonds in a manner similar to humans. Oxytocin treatment (1.0, 3.0, and 10.0mg/kg, i.p.) reduced alcohol consumption in male and female prairie voles in animals that had access to 15% ethanol vs water every other day for 12 alcohol drinking sessions. In animals with continuous access to 15% alcohol and water, oxytocin (3.0mg/kg) reduced alcohol consumption only in the first hour of access after treatment, with no significant effects on consumption over the 24-hr period. In an open field locomotor test, oxytocin (1.0, 3.0, and 10.0mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect overall locomotor activity; however, ethanol (2g/kg, i.p.) increased locomotor activity in males and females, and produced anxiolytic effects (increased time in the center of an open field) in females only. Because prairie voles have been shown to match the alcohol consumption of their cage mate, we evaluated the relationship between cage mates' alcohol drinking. There was an overall pattern of social facilitation (consumption by one cage mate predicted consumption by the other cage mate); however, we found significant individual differences across cages in which many cages did not show significant matching, and, in some cases one cage mate's consumption negatively predicted the other cage mate's consumption. Overall, our data provide support for the potential of oxytocin as a treatment to reduce alcohol consumption.
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46
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[Oxytocin and the mechanisms of alcohol dependence]. NEUROPSYCHIATRIE : KLINIK, DIAGNOSTIK, THERAPIE UND REHABILITATION : ORGAN DER GESELLSCHAFT ÖSTERREICHISCHER NERVENÄRZTE UND PSYCHIATER 2017. [PMID: 28639210 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-017-0229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the crucial purposes of treating alcohol-dependent patients is to enhance their ability to stay abstinent after detoxification therapy. Anxiety and stress vulnerability are the main factors provoking alcohol craving and relapse. In the first months of abstinence, alcohol-dependent patients frequently show sleep disturbances, irritability and depression, indicating chronic activation of stress pathways. In addition, the loss of confidence in interpersonal interactions results in social withdrawal and reduced willingness to participate in therapeutic programs.Current research shows that the peptide hormone oxytocin exerts substantial anxiolytic effects and facilitates prosocial behavior. Oxytocin can be safely applied as intranasal preparation. Oxytocin acts by inhibiting the effects of the corticotropin-releasing factor on GABAergic interneurons in the amygdala and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus.Recent research strongly suggests that application of oxytocin may beneficially influence the mechanisms of relapse and craving by reduction of anxiety, stress vulnerability and social withdrawal in abstinent alcohol-dependent patients.This article reviews neurobiological mechanisms of oxytocin effects on stress-related pathways and discusses the potential use of oxytocin in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
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47
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King CE, Griffin WC, Luderman LN, Kates MM, McGinty JF, Becker HC. Oxytocin Reduces Ethanol Self-Administration in Mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:955-964. [PMID: 28212464 PMCID: PMC5404956 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive ethanol (EtOH) consumption remains an important health concern and effective treatments are lacking. The central oxytocin system has emerged as a potentially important therapeutic target for alcohol and drug addiction. These studies tested the hypothesis that oxytocin reduces EtOH consumption. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were given access to EtOH (20% v/v) using a model of binge-like drinking ("drinking in the dark") that also included the use of lickometer circuits to evaluate the temporal pattern of intake as well as 2-bottle choice drinking in the home cage. In addition, EtOH (12% v/v) and sucrose (5% w/v) self-administration on fixed- and progressive-ratio schedules were also evaluated. A wide range of systemically administered oxytocin doses were tested (0 to 10 mg/kg) in these models. RESULTS Oxytocin (0, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced EtOH consumption (maximal 45% reduction) in the binge drinking model, with lower effective doses having minimal effects on general locomotor activity. Oxytocin's effect was blocked by pretreatment with an oxytocin receptor antagonist, and the pattern of contacts (licks) at the EtOH bottle suggested a reduction in motivation to drink EtOH. Oxytocin decreased 2-bottle choice drinking without altering general fluid intake. Oxytocin also reduced operant responding for EtOH and sucrose in a dose-related manner. However, oxytocin decreased responding and motivation (breakpoint values) for EtOH at doses that did not alter responding for sucrose. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that oxytocin reduces EtOH consumption in different models of self-administration. The effects are not likely due to a general sedative effect of the neuropeptide. Further, oxytocin reduces motivation for EtOH at doses that do not alter responding for a natural reward (sucrose). While some evidence supports a role for oxytocin receptors in mediating these effects, additional studies are needed to further elucidate underlying mechanisms. Nevertheless, these results support the therapeutic potential of oxytocin as a treatment for alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E. King
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - William C. Griffin
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Lauryn N. Luderman
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Malcolm M. Kates
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Jacqueline F. McGinty
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Howard C. Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina & VAMC, Charleston, SC 29425
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Peters ST, Bowen MT, Bohrer K, McGregor IS, Neumann ID. Oxytocin inhibits ethanol consumption and ethanol-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Addict Biol 2017; 22:702-711. [PMID: 26810371 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol (EtOH) is one of the most widely abused recreational drugs and is arguably the most harmful. However, current treatment options for alcohol-use disorders generally have limited efficacy and poor uptake in the community. In this context, the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has emerged as a promising potential treatment option for a number of substance-use disorders, including alcoholism. The utility of OXT in reducing consumption of and craving for a wide range of substances may lie in its ability to modulate drug-induced neurochemical effects within the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. However, the impact of OXT on EtOH actions in this pathway has yet to be explored. Here, we reveal that an acute intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of OXT (1 µg/5 µl) attenuated voluntary EtOH (20 percent) self-administration after chronic intermittent access to EtOH for 59 days (28 drinking sessions) in male Wistar rats. Next, we demonstrated that an acute intraperitoneal (ip) injection of EtOH (1.5 g/kg, 15 percent w/v) increased dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens in both EtOH-naive rats and rats that had received 10 daily ip injections of EtOH. Icv OXT completely blocked the EtOH-induced dopamine release in both EtOH-naive and chronically treated rats. The attenuation of EtOH-induced dopamine release by OXT may help to explain the reduced EtOH self-administration observed following icv OXT infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian T. Peters
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology; University of Regensburg; Germany
- Current address: Department of Neurology; University Clinic Regensburg; Germany
| | | | - Kathrin Bohrer
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology; University of Regensburg; Germany
| | | | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology; University of Regensburg; Germany
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Bowen MT, Neumann ID. The Multidimensional Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Brain Oxytocin System for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 35:269-287. [PMID: 28942596 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin is released both into the blood and within the brain in response to reproductive stimuli, such as birth, suckling and sex, but also in response to social interaction and stressors. Substance use disorders, or addictions, are chronic, relapsing brain disorders and are one of the major causes of global burden of disease. Unfortunately, current treatment options for substance use disorders are extremely limited and a treatment breakthrough is sorely needed. There is mounting preclinical evidence that targeting the brain oxytocin system may provide that breakthrough. Substance use disorders are characterised by a viscous cycle of bingeing and intoxication, followed by withdrawal and negative affect, and finally preoccupation and anticipation that triggers relapse and further consumption. Administration of oxytocin has been shown to have a potential therapeutic benefit at each stage of this addiction cycle for numerous drugs of abuse. This multidimensional therapeutic utility is likely due to oxytocin's interactions with key biological systems that underlie the development and maintenance of addiction. Only a few human trials of oxytocin in addicted populations have been completed with the results thus far being mixed. There are numerous other trials underway, and the results are eagerly awaited. However, the ability to fully harness the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting the brain oxytocin system may depend on the development of molecules that selectively stimulate the oxytocin system, but that have superior pharmacokinetic properties to oxytocin itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bowen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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50
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La saga du baclofène et le changement de paradigme de la prise en charge de l’addiction à l’alcool. Presse Med 2016; 45:1117-1123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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