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Ball KT, Edson H. Chronic restraint stress increases sensitivity to punishment during cocaine self-administration via a dopamine D 1-like receptor-mediated mechanism in prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex. Neurosci Lett 2023; 793:136992. [PMID: 36455694 PMCID: PMC9772152 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported that male rats displayed less sensitivity to punishment during cocaine self-administration compared to females. Moreover, daily restraint stress increased sensitivity to punishment in males, while having no effect in females. The purpose of the present study was to extend these findings by determining whether chronic stress-induced dopamine release in prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex mediates the effect of stress on punished cocaine self-administration. Thus, male rats were trained to press a lever for i.v. cocaine infusions (0.50 mg/kg/infusion) paired with a discrete tone + light cue in daily 3-hr sessions. Subsequently, 50 % of the lever presses were punished by a mild footshock that gradually increased in intensity over 7 days. During the punishment phase, rats were exposed to a chronic restraint stress procedure (3 h/day) or control procedure (unstressed). Rats also received bilateral microinjections of the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (0.25 μg/0.5 μl/side) or vehicle (0.5 μl/side) delivered to prelimbic cortex prior to daily treatments. Relapse tests were conducted 1 and 8 days after the last punishment session. Chronically stressed rats displayed reduced cocaine self-administration during punishment relative to unstressed rats, an effect prevented by co-administration of SCH-23390 to prelimbic cortex with daily restraint. Neither stress nor SCH-23390 treatment had significant effects on subsequent relapse-like behavior. These results establish a specific role for prelimbic D1-like receptors in chronic stress-induced suppression of punished cocaine self-administration in male rats. As such, these findings may inform novel methods to facilitate self-imposed abstinence in cocaine-dependent men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2(nd) St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA.
| | - Hunter Edson
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2(nd) St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
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Edson H, Ball KT. Sex-dependent effects of chronic stress on punished cocaine self-administration and cue-induced relapse to cocaine seeking. Physiol Behav 2022; 257:113972. [PMID: 36170943 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
We tested the effects of chronic stress on cocaine relapse after drug-reinforced responding was suppressed by punishment, an animal model of human relapse after self-imposed abstinence due to the negative consequences of drug use. Male rats displayed greater resistance to punishment than females, but daily stress decreased this resistance. Only female rats with a history of chronic stress displayed increased responding for cocaine cues from abstinence Day 1 to Day 8. Thus, the effects of chronic stress on punished cocaine self-administration and cue-induced relapse are dependent on biological sex, and may have implications for more targeted treatments for cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Edson
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA.
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3
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Ball KT, Bennardo GM, Roe J, Wunderlich KJ. Dopamine D 1-like receptors in prelimbic, but not infralimbic, medial prefrontal cortex contribute to chronic stress-induced increases in cue-induced relapse to palatable food seeking during forced abstinence. Behav Brain Res 2022; 417:113583. [PMID: 34530043 PMCID: PMC8578442 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress exposure causes increased vulnerability to future relapse-like behavior in male, but not female, rats with a history of palatable food self-administration. These effects are mediated by dopamine D1-like receptors, but the anatomical location of chronic stress' dopaminergic mechanism is not known. Thus, male rats were trained to respond for palatable food pellets in daily sessions. During subsequent forced abstinence from food self-administration, stress was manipulated (0 or 3 h restraint/day for 7 days). Rats also received bilateral microinjections of the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (0.25 μg/0.5 μl/side) or vehicle (0.5 μl/side) delivered to either prelimbic or infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex prior to daily treatments. Relapse tests in the presence of food-associated cues were conducted 7 days after the last treatment. Stress caused an increase and a decrease in responding during relapse tests in rats that received prelimbic vehicle and SCH-23390 infusions, respectively, relative to unstressed rats. In rats receiving IL infusions, however, stress caused an increase in responding regardless of whether the infusion was vehicle or SCH-23390. These results establish a specific role for prelimbic D1-like receptors in chronic stress-potentiated relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA.
| | - Guy M Bennardo
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Jonathan Roe
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Kyle J Wunderlich
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
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Chellian R, Behnood-Rod A, Wilson R, Bruijnzeel AW. Rewarding Effects of Nicotine Self-administration Increase Over Time in Male and Female Rats. Nicotine Tob Res 2021; 23:2117-2126. [PMID: 33987656 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntab097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Smoking and the use of other nicotine-containing products is rewarding in humans. The self-administration of nicotine is also rewarding in male rats. However, it is unknown if there are sex differences in the reward-enhancing effects of nicotine self-administration and if the rewarding effects of nicotine change over time. METHODS Rats were prepared with catheters and intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) electrodes to investigate the effects of nicotine and saline self-administration on reward function. A decrease in thresholds in the ICSS procedure reflects an enhancement of reward function. The ICSS parameters were determined before and after the self-administration sessions from days 1 to 10, and after the self-administration sessions from days 11 to 15. RESULTS During the first 10 days, there was no sex difference in nicotine intake, but during the last 5 days, the females took more nicotine than the males. During the first 10 days, nicotine self-administration did not lower the brain reward thresholds but decreased the response latencies. During the last 5 days, nicotine lowered the reward thresholds and decreased the response latencies. An analysis with the 5-day averages (days 1-5, 6-10, and 11-15) showed that the reward enhancing and stimulatory effects of nicotine increased over time. There were no sex differences in the reward-enhancing and stimulatory effects of nicotine. The nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine diminished the reward-enhancing and stimulatory effects of nicotine. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the rewarding effects of nicotine self-administration increase over time, and there are no sex differences in the reward-enhancing effects of nicotine self-administration in rats. IMPLICATIONS This study investigated the rewarding effect of nicotine and saline self-administration in male and female rats. The self-administration of nicotine, but not saline, enhanced brain reward function and had stimulatory effects. The rewarding effects of nicotine increased over time in the males and the females. Despite that the females had a higher level of nicotine intake than the males, the reward-enhancing effects of nicotine self-administration were the same. These findings suggest that in new tobacco and e-cigarette users, nicotine's rewarding effects might increase quickly, and a higher level of nicotine use in females might not translate into greater rewarding effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azin Behnood-Rod
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ryann Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adriaan W Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Borruto AM, Fotio Y, Stopponi S, Petrella M, De Carlo S, Domi A, Ubaldi M, Weiss F, Ciccocioppo R. NOP receptor antagonism attenuates reinstatement of alcohol-seeking through modulation of the mesolimbic circuitry in male and female alcohol-preferring rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:2121-2131. [PMID: 34285372 PMCID: PMC8505627 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01096-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In patients suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD), stress and environmental stimuli associated with alcohol availability are important triggers of relapse. Activation of the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor by its endogenous ligand Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) attenuates alcohol drinking and relapse in rodents, suggesting that NOP agonists may be efficacious in treating AUD. Intriguingly, recent data demonstrated that also blockade of NOP receptor reduced alcohol drinking in rodents. To explore further the potential of NOP antagonism, we investigated its effects on the reinstatement of alcohol-seeking elicited by administration of the α2 antagonist yohimbine (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) or by environmental conditioning factors in male and female genetically selected alcohol-preferring Marchigian Sardinian (msP) rats. The selective NOP receptor antagonist LY2817412 (0.0, 3.0, 10.0, and 30.0 mg/kg) was first tested following oral (p.o.) administration. We then investigated the effects of LY2817412 (1.0, 3.0, 6.0 μg/μl/rat) microinjected into three candidate mesolimbic brain regions: the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We found that relapse to alcohol seeking was generally stronger in female than in male rats and oral administration of LY2817412 reduced yohimbine- and cue-induced reinstatement in both sexes. Following site-specific microinjections, LY2817412 reduced yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking when administered into the VTA and the CeA, but not in the NAc. Cue-induced reinstatement was suppressed only when LY2817412 was microinjected into the VTA. Infusions of LY2817412 into the VTA and the CeA did not alter saccharin self-administration. These results demonstrate that NOP receptor blockade prevents the reinstatement of alcohol-seeking through modulation of mesolimbic system circuitry, providing further evidence of the therapeutic potential of NOP receptor antagonism in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Borruto
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Yannick Fotio
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Serena Stopponi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Michele Petrella
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Sara De Carlo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Ana Domi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Friedbert Weiss
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
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Fotio Y, Borruto AM, Benvenuti F, Demopulos G, Gaitanaris G, Roberto M, Ciccocioppo R. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ reduces alcohol drinking and seeking by modulating multiple mesocorticolimbic regions in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:360-367. [PMID: 32610339 PMCID: PMC7852659 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is an intracellular transcription factor whose signaling activation by the selective agonist pioglitazone reduces alcohol drinking and alcohol-seeking behavior in rats. The present study utilized the two-bottle choice and operant self-administration procedures to investigate neuroanatomical substrates that mediate the effects of PPARγ agonism on alcohol drinking and seeking in msP rats. Bilateral infusions of pioglitazone (0, 5, and 10 μg/μl) in the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) decreased voluntary alcohol drinking and alcohol self-administration. Microinjections of pioglitazone in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), central amygdala (CeA), and nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell had no such effect. Notably, water, food, and saccharin consumption was unaltered by either treatment. The yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking was prevented by infusions of pioglitazone (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/μl) in the CeA, VTA, and RMTg but not in the NAc shell. These results emphasize the involvement of mesocorticolimbic circuitries in mediating the effects of PPARγ agonists on alcohol drinking and seeking. These results will facilitate future studies that investigate the pathophysiological role of PPARγ in alcohol use disorder and help clarify the mechanisms by which the activation of this receptor decreases the motivation for drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Fotio
- grid.5602.10000 0000 9745 6549School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617 USA
| | - Anna Maria Borruto
- grid.5602.10000 0000 9745 6549School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- grid.5602.10000 0000 9745 6549School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | | | | | - Marisa Roberto
- grid.214007.00000000122199231Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
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Tabbara RI, Rahbarnia A, Lê AD, Fletcher PJ. The pharmacological stressor yohimbine, but not U50,488, increases responding for conditioned reinforcers paired with ethanol or sucrose. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3689-3702. [PMID: 32840668 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Environmental stimuli paired with alcohol can function as conditioned reinforcers (CRfs) and trigger relapse to alcohol-seeking. In animal models, pharmacological stressors can enhance alcohol consumption and reinstate alcohol-seeking, but it is unknown whether stress can potentiate the conditioned reinforcing properties of alcohol-paired stimuli. OBJECTIVES We examined whether the pharmacological stressors, the α-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist yohimbine (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; IP) and the K-opioid receptor agonist U50,488 (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; SC), increase responding for conditioned reinforcement, and if their effects interact with the nature of the reward (alcohol vs. sucrose). We subsequently examined the effects of yohimbine (vehicle, 1.25, 2.5 mg/kg; IP) on responding for sensory reinforcement. METHODS Male Long-Evans underwent Pavlovian conditioning, wherein a tone-light conditioned stimulus (CS) was repeatedly paired with 12% EtOH or 21.7% sucrose. Next, tests of responding for a CRf were conducted. Responding on the CRf lever delivered the CS, whereas responding on the other lever had no consequences. In a separate cohort of rats, the effects of yohimbine on responding just for the sensory reinforcer were examined. RESULTS Both doses of yohimbine, but not U50,488, increased responding for conditioned reinforcement. This enhancement occurred independently of the nature of the reward used during Pavlovian conditioning. Yohimbine-enhanced responding for a CRf was reproducible and stable over five tests; it even persisted when the CS was omitted. Both doses of yohimbine also increased responding for sensory reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Yohimbine increases operant responding for a variety of sensory and conditioned reinforcers. This enhancement may be independent of its stress-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane I Tabbara
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Arya Rahbarnia
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anh D Lê
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul J Fletcher
- Section of Biopsychology, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Sex-dependent effects of chronic stress on reinstatement of palatable food seeking and involvement of dopamine D 1-like receptors. Behav Brain Res 2020; 396:112921. [PMID: 32950608 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent work in our lab has shown that chronic stress exposure causes sex-dependent changes in subsequent relapse-like behavior in rats with a history of palatable food self-administration. Although these effects are mediated by dopamine D1-like receptors in male rats, such dopaminergic mechanisms have not been investigated in female animals. Thus, male and female rats were trained to respond for highly palatable food reinforcers in daily sessions. During subsequent extinction training, stress was manipulated (0 or 3 h restraint/day for 7 days). To assess dopaminergic involvement, we administered either SCH-23390 (10.0 μg/kg), a dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist, or vehicle prior to daily treatments. Rats were then tested for cue- and pellet priming-induced reinstatement. Results showed that a history of chronic stress caused an increase in pellet priming-induced reinstatement in males and a decrease in cue-induced reinstatement in females. SCH-23390 combined with stress prevented those effects in males, but not in females. In females, a history of SCH-23390 administration caused an overall increase in responding that was apparent during cue-, but not pellet priming-, induced reinstatement testing. These results establish that both the effects of chronic stress on reinstatement of food seeking and the involvement of dopamine in those effects are dependent on biological sex. Such findings should inform the development of sex-specific interventions for dietary relapse and other stress-related health problems.
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Ball KT, Best O, Hagan E, Pressimone C, Tosh L. Effects of chronic stress on reinstatement of palatable food seeking: Sex differences and relationship to trait anxiety. Physiol Behav 2020; 221:112900. [PMID: 32259598 PMCID: PMC7208769 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous research in our lab has established a causal role for chronic stress exposure in subsequent increases in relapse-like behaviors in male rats with a history of palatable food self-administration. Given that many of the neurobehavioral consequences of stress are sex dependent, we aimed to determine whether sex differences exist with regard to the effects of chronic stress on relapse. Additionally, because high trait anxiety confers vulnerability to stress-related disorders, we examined whether individual differences in trait anxiety were related to differences in relapse-like behavior after chronic stress exposure. Following elevated plus maze testing for classification into high- or low-anxiety phenotypes, male and female rats responded for highly palatable food pellets. During subsequent extinction training, stress was manipulated (0 or 90 min restraint/day for 7 days). Rats were then tested for cue- and pellet priming-induced reinstatement of palatable food seeking. Results showed that female rats displayed higher levels of responding during cue-induced reinstatement tests compared to males, and that a history of chronic stress caused an attenuation of cue-induced reinstatement in female, but not male, rats. Regarding pellet priming-induced reinstatement, there was a three-way interaction such that neither stress history nor anxiety phenotype was related to reinstatement in females, but a history of stress in males caused increased and decreased responding in low- and high-anxiety rats, respectively. These results suggest that biological sex and trait anxiety level may help to explain differences in vulnerability to relapse among individuals exposed to chronic stress. Such information may be useful in designing more personalized and effective treatments for obesity and eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA.
| | - Olivia Best
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Erin Hagan
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Claire Pressimone
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Lindsay Tosh
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
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10
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Ball KT, Stone E, Best O, Collins T, Edson H, Hagan E, Nardini S, Neuciler P, Smolinsky M, Tosh L, Woodlen K. Chronic restraint stress during withdrawal increases vulnerability to drug priming-induced cocaine seeking via a dopamine D1-like receptor-mediated mechanism. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 187:327-334. [PMID: 29705546 PMCID: PMC5959797 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major obstacle in the treatment of individuals with cocaine addiction is their high propensity for relapse. Although the clinical scenario of acute stress-induced relapse has been well studied in animal models, few pre-clinical studies have investigated the role of chronic stress in relapse or the interaction between chronic stress and other relapse triggers. METHODS We tested the effect of chronic restraint stress on cocaine seeking in rats using both extinction- and abstinence-based animal relapse models. Rats were trained to press a lever for I.V. cocaine infusions (0.50 mg/kg/infusion) paired with a discrete tone + light cue in daily 3-h sessions. Following self-administration, rats were exposed to a chronic restraint stress procedure (3 h/day) or control procedure (unstressed) during the first seven days of a 13-day extinction period during which lever presses had no programmed consequences. This was followed by cue- and cocaine priming-induced drug seeking tests. In a separate group of rats, cocaine seeking was assessed during forced abstinence both before and after the same chronic stress procedure. RESULTS A history of chronic restraint stress was associated with increased cocaine priming-induced drug seeking, an effect attenuated by co-administration of SCH-23390 (10.0 μg/kg; i.p.), a dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist, with daily restraint. Repeated SCH-23390 administration but not stress during extinction increased cue-induced reinstatement. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to chronic stress during early withdrawal may confer lasting vulnerability to some types of relapse, and dopamine D1-like receptors appear to mediate both chronic stress effects on cocaine seeking and extinction of cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T. Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Eric Stone
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Olivia Best
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Tyler Collins
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Hunter Edson
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Erin Hagan
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Salvatore Nardini
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Phelan Neuciler
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Michael Smolinsky
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Lindsay Tosh
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Kristin Woodlen
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
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12
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Ball KT, Best O, Luo J, Miller LR. Chronic restraint stress causes a delayed increase in responding for palatable food cues during forced abstinence via a dopamine D 1-like receptor-mediated mechanism. Behav Brain Res 2016; 319:1-8. [PMID: 27845229 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Relapse to unhealthy eating habits in dieters is often triggered by stress. Animal models, moreover, have confirmed a causal role for acute stress in relapse. The role of chronic stress in relapse vulnerability, however, has received relatively little attention. Therefore, in the present study, we used an abstinence-based relapse model in rats to test the hypothesis that exposure to chronic stress increases subsequent relapse vulnerability. Rats were trained to press a lever for highly palatable food reinforcers in daily 3-h sessions and then tested for food seeking (i.e., responding for food associated cues) both before and after an acute or chronic restraint stress procedure (3h/day×1day or 10days, respectively) or control procedure (unstressed). The second food seeking test was conducted either 1day or 7days after the last restraint. Because chronic stress causes dopamine D1-like receptor-mediated alterations in prefrontal cortex (a relapse node), we also assessed dopaminergic involvement by administering either SCH-23390 (10.0μg/kg; i.p.), a dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist, or vehicle prior to daily treatments. Results showed that chronically, but not acutely, stressed rats displayed increased food seeking 7days, but not 1day, after the last restraint. Importantly, SCH-23390 combined with chronic stress reversed this effect. These results suggest that drugs targeting D1-like receptors during chronic stress may help to prevent future relapse in dieters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA.
| | - Olivia Best
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Jonathan Luo
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
| | - Leah R Miller
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2nd St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA
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Yohimbine reinstates extinguished 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) seeking in rats with prior exposure to chronic yohimbine. Behav Brain Res 2015; 294:1-6. [PMID: 26241170 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.07.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Although exposure to acute stress has been shown to reinstate extinguished responding for a wide variety of drugs, no studies have investigated stress-induced reinstatement in animals with a history of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) self-administration. Thus, rats were trained to press a lever for MDMA (0.50 mg/kg/infusion) in daily sessions, and lever pressing was subsequently extinguished in the absence of MDMA and conditioned cues (light and tone). We then tested the ability of acute yohimbine (2.0 mg/kg), a pharmacological stressor, to reinstate lever-pressing under extinction conditions. Additionally, to model chronic stress, some rats were injected daily with yohimbine (5.0 mg/kg × 10 days) prior to reinstatement tests. To assess dopaminergic involvement, chronic yohimbine injections were combined with injections of SCH-23390 (0.0 or 10.0 μg/kg), a dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist. In a separate experiment, rats with a history of food self-administration were treated and tested in the same way. Results showed that acute yohimbine injections reinstated extinguished MDMA and food seeking, but only in rats with a history of chronic yohimbine exposure. Co-administration of SCH-23390 with chronic yohimbine injections prevented the potentiation of subsequent food seeking, but not MDMA seeking. These results suggest that abstinent MDMA users who also are exposed to chronic stress may be at increased risk for future relapse, and also that the effects of chronic stress on relapse may be mediated by different mechanisms depending on one's drug use history.
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