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Vilca SJ, Margetts AV, Höglund L, Fleites I, Bystrom LL, Pollock TA, Bourgain-Guglielmetti F, Wahlestedt C, Tuesta LM. Microglia contribute to methamphetamine reinforcement and reflect persistent transcriptional and morphological adaptations to the drug. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:339-351. [PMID: 38838836 PMCID: PMC11269013 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a chronic, relapsing disease that is characterized by repeated drug use despite negative consequences and for which there are currently no FDA-approved cessation therapeutics. Repeated methamphetamine (METH) use induces long-term gene expression changes in brain regions associated with reward processing and drug-seeking behavior, and recent evidence suggests that methamphetamine-induced neuroinflammation may also shape behavioral and molecular responses to the drug. Microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, are principal drivers of neuroinflammatory responses and contribute to the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. Here, we investigated transcriptional and morphological changes in dorsal striatal microglia in response to methamphetamine-taking and during methamphetamine abstinence, as well as their functional contribution to drug-taking behavior. We show that methamphetamine self-administration induces transcriptional changes associated with protein folding, mRNA processing, immune signaling, and neurotransmission in dorsal striatal microglia. Importantly, many of these transcriptional changes persist through abstinence, a finding supported by morphological analyses. Functionally, we report that microglial ablation increases methamphetamine-taking, possibly involving neuroimmune and neurotransmitter regulation. In contrast, microglial depletion during abstinence does not alter methamphetamine-seeking. Taken together, these results suggest that methamphetamine induces both short and long-term changes in dorsal striatal microglia that contribute to altered drug-taking behavior and may provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of MUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara J Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Alexander V Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Leon Höglund
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Isabella Fleites
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Lauren L Bystrom
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Tate A Pollock
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Florence Bourgain-Guglielmetti
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States
| | - Luis M Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
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Sun LH, Yu L, Chan YH, Chin MH, Lee CP, Liao YH. Combining brief recall and ketamine treatment prevents stress-primed methamphetamine memory reinstatement via heightening mPFC GABA activity. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 972:176559. [PMID: 38588768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176559] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess whether brief recall of methamphetamine (MA) memory, when combined with ketamine (KE) treatment, may prevent stress-primed MA memory reinstatement. Combining 3-min recall and KE facilitated MA memory extinction and resistance to subsequent stress-primed reinstatement. Such combination also produced glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 (mGluR5) upregulation in animals' medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) neuron. Accordingly, chemogenetic methods were employed to bi-directionally modulate mPFC GABA activity. Following brief recall and KE-produced MA memory extinction, intra-mPFC mDlx-Gi-coupled-human-muscarinic-receptor 4 (hM4Di)-infused mice receiving compound 21 (C21) treatment showed eminent stress-primed reinstatement, while their GABA mGluR5 expression seemed to be unaltered. Intra-mPFC mDlx-Gq-coupled-human-muscarinic-receptor 3 (hM3Dq)-infused mice undergoing C21 treatment displayed MA memory extinction and resistance to stress-provoked reinstatement. These results suggest that combining a brief recall and KE treatment and exciting mPFC GABA neuron may facilitate MA memory extinction and resistance to stress-primed recall. mPFC GABA neuronal activity plays a role in mediating brief recall/KE-produced effects on curbing the stress-provoked MA seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Han Sun
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Lung Yu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsuan Chan
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Min-Han Chin
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Pin Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, 600, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Han Liao
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, 600, Taiwan.
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Vilca SJ, Margetts AV, Fleites I, Wahlestedt C, Tuesta LM. Microglia contribute to methamphetamine reinforcement and reflect persistent transcriptional and morphological adaptations to the drug. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.19.563168. [PMID: 37961443 PMCID: PMC10634674 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.563168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is a chronic, relapsing disease that is characterized by repeated drug use despite negative consequences and for which there are currently no FDA-approved cessation therapeutics. Repeated methamphetamine (METH) use induces long-term gene expression changes in brain regions associated with reward processing and drug-seeking behavior, and recent evidence suggests that methamphetamine-induced neuroinflammation may also shape behavioral and molecular responses to the drug. Microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, are principal drivers of neuroinflammatory responses and contribute to the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. Here, we investigated transcriptional and morphological changes in dorsal striatal microglia in response to methamphetamine-taking and during methamphetamine abstinence, as well as their functional contribution to drug-taking behavior. We show that methamphetamine self-administration induces transcriptional changes associated with protein folding, mRNA processing, immune signaling, and neurotransmission in dorsal striatal microglia. Importantly, many of these transcriptional changes persist through abstinence, a finding supported by morphological analyses. Functionally, we report that microglial ablation increases methamphetamine-taking, possibly involving neuroimmune and neurotransmitter regulation, and that post-methamphetamine microglial repopulation attenuates drug-seeking following a 21-day period of abstinence. In contrast, microglial depletion during abstinence did not alter methamphetamine-seeking. Taken together, these results suggest that methamphetamine induces both short and long-term changes in dorsal striatal microglia that contribute to altered drug-taking behavior and may provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of MUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara J. Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Alexander V. Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Isabella Fleites
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Luis M. Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
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Wenzel JM, Zlebnik NE, Patton MH, Smethells JR, Ayvazian VM, Dantrassy HM, Zhang LY, Mathur BN, Cheer JF. Selective chemogenetic inactivation of corticoaccumbal projections disrupts trait choice impulsivity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1821-1831. [PMID: 37208501 PMCID: PMC10579332 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01604-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Impulsive choice has enduring trait-like characteristics and is defined by preference for small immediate rewards over larger delayed ones. Importantly, it is a determining factor in the development and persistence of substance use disorder (SUD). Emerging evidence from human and animal studies suggests frontal cortical regions exert influence over striatal reward processing areas during decision-making in impulsive choice or delay discounting (DD) tasks. The goal of this study was to examine how these circuits are involved in decision-making in animals with defined trait impulsivity. To this end, we trained adolescent male rats to stable behavior on a DD procedure and then re-trained them in adulthood to assess trait-like, conserved impulsive choice across development. We then used chemogenetic tools to selectively and reversibly target corticostriatal projections during performance of the DD task. The prelimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was injected with a viral vector expressing inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (Gi-DREADD), and then mPFC projections to the nucleus accumbens core (NAc) were selectively suppressed by intra-NAc administration of the Gi-DREADD actuator clozapine-n-oxide (CNO). Inactivation of the mPFC-NAc projection elicited a robust increase in impulsive choice in rats with lower vs. higher baseline impulsivity. This demonstrates a fundamental role for mPFC afferents to the NAc during choice impulsivity and suggests that maladaptive hypofrontality may underlie decreased executive control in animals with higher levels of choice impulsivity. Results such as these may have important implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of impulse control, SUDs, and related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Wenzel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA.
| | - Natalie E Zlebnik
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Mary H Patton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - John R Smethells
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA
| | - Victoria M Ayvazian
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Hannah M Dantrassy
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lan-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Brian N Mathur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Lewandowski SI, Hodebourg R, Wood SK, Carter JS, Nelson KH, Kalivas PW, Reichel CM. Matrix metalloproteinase activity during methamphetamine cued relapse. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13279. [PMID: 37186441 PMCID: PMC10506177 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13279] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Relapse to drug seeking involves transient synaptic remodelling that occurs in response to drug-associated cues. This remodelling includes activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to initiate catalytic signalling in the extracellular matrix in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). We hypothesized that MMP activity would be increased in the NAcore during cue-induced methamphetamine (meth) seeking in a rat model of meth use and relapse. Male and female rats had indwelling jugular catheters and bilateral intracranial cannula targeting the NAcore surgically implanted. Following recovery, rats underwent meth or saline self-administration (6 h/day for 15 days) in which active lever responding was paired with a light + tone stimulus complex, followed by home cage abstinence. Testing occurred after 7 or 30 days of abstinence. On test day, rats were microinjected with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-quenched gelatin substrate that fluoresces following cleavage by MMP-2,9, allowing for the quantification of gelatinase activity during cued-relapse testing. MMP-2,9 activity was significantly increased in the NAcore by meth cues presentation after 7 and 30 days of abstinence, indicating that remodelling by MMPs occurs during presentation of meth associated cues. Surprisingly, although cue-induced seeking increased between Days 7 and 30, MMP-2,9 activity did not increase. These findings indicate that although MMP activation is elicited during meth cue-induced seeking, MMP activation did not parallel the meth seeking that occurs during extended drug abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacia I. Lewandowski
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Ritchy Hodebourg
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Samuel K. Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Jordan S. Carter
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Katherine H. Nelson
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Peter W. Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Carmela M. Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
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Carter JS, Wood SK, Kearns AM, Hopkins JL, Reichel CM. Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Oxytocin and Incubation of Heroin Seeking. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1112-1126. [PMID: 36709749 PMCID: PMC10372195 DOI: 10.1159/000529358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are numerous pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), but none that directly target the underlying addictive effects of opioids. Oxytocin, a peptide hormone produced in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, has been investigated as a potential therapeutic for OUD. Promising preclinical and clinical results have been reported, but the brain region(s) and mechanism(s) by which oxytocin impacts reward processes remain undetermined. METHODS Here, we assess peripherally administered oxytocin's impacts on cued reinstatement of heroin seeking following forced abstinence and its effects on neuronal activation in the PVN and key projection regions. We also examine how designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD)-mediated activation or inhibition of oxytocinergic PVN neurons alters cued heroin seeking and social interaction. RESULTS As predicted, peripheral oxytocin administration successfully decreased cued heroin seeking on days 1 and 30 of abstinence. Oxytocin administration also led to increased neuronal activity within the PVN and the central amygdala (CeA). Activation of oxytocinergic PVN neurons with an excitatory (Gq) DREADD did not impact cued reinstatement or social interaction. In contrast, suppression with an inhibitory (Gi) DREADD reduced heroin seeking on abstinence day 30 and decreased time spent interacting with a novel conspecific. DISCUSSION These findings reinforce oxytocin's therapeutic potential for OUD, the basis for which may be driven in part by increased PVN-CeA circuit activity. Our results also suggest that oxytocin has distinct signaling and/or other mechanisms of action to produce these effects, as inhibition, but not activation, of oxytocinergic PVN neurons did not recapitulate the suppression in heroin seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S Carter
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA,
| | - Samuel K Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angela M Kearns
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jordan L Hopkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Siemsen BM, Franco D, Lobo MK. Corticostriatal contributions to dysregulated motivated behaviors in stress, depression, and substance use disorders. Neurosci Res 2022:S0168-0102(22)00304-2. [PMID: 36565858 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.12.014] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Coordinated network activity, particularly in circuits arising from the prefrontal cortex innervating the ventral striatum, is crucial for normal processing of reward-related information which is perturbed in several psychiatric disorders characterized by dysregulated reward-related behaviors. Stress-induced depression and substance use disorders (SUDs) both share this common underlying pathology, manifested as deficits in perceived reward in depression, and increased attribution of positive valence to drug-predictive stimuli and dysfunctional cognition in SUDs. Here we review preclinical and clinical data that support dysregulation of motivated and reward-related behaviors as a core phenotype shared between these two disorders. We posit that altered processing of reward-related stimuli arises from dysregulated control of subcortical circuits by upstream regions implicated in executive control. Although multiple circuits are directly involved in reward processing, here we focus specifically on the role of corticostriatal circuit dysregulation. Moreover, we highlight the growing body of evidence indicating that such abnormalities may be due to heightened neuroimmune signaling by microglia, and that targeting the neuroimmune system may be a viable approach to treating this shared symptom.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Franco
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Evaluation of Adenosine A2A receptor gene polymorphisms as risk factors of methamphetamine use disorder susceptibility and predictors of craving degree. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114790. [PMID: 35987070 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The adenosine A2A receptor (ADORA2A) is highly expressed in the central nervous system and plays vital roles in drug addiction. In this study, we aimed to explore the susceptibility of ADORA2A to methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and the craving degree based on a two-stage association analysis. A total of 3,542 (1,216 patients with MUD and 2,326 controls) and 1,740 participants (580 patients with MUD and 1,160 controls) were recruited in discovery and replication stage, respectively. Significant SNPs identified in the discovery stage were genotyped in the replication samples. Serum levels of ADORA2A were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The genetic association signal of each SNP was examined using Plink. A linear model was fitted to investigate the relationship between craving scores and genotypes of significant SNPs. SNP rs5751876 was significantly associated with MUD in the discovery samples and this association signal was then further replicated in the replication samples. Significant associations were also identified between serum levels of ADORA2A and the genotypes of rs5751876 (P = 0.0002). The craving scores in patients with MUD were strongly correlated with rs5751876 genotypes. Our results suggest that polymorphisms of the ADORA2A gene could affect the susceptibility to MUD and its craving degree.
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Sex Differences in Psychostimulant Abuse: Implications for Estrogen Receptors and Histone Deacetylases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050892. [PMID: 35627277 PMCID: PMC9140379 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse is a chronic pathological disorder that negatively affects many health and neurological processes. A growing body of literature has revealed gender differences in substance use. Compared to men, women display distinct drug-use phenotypes accompanied by recovery and rehabilitation disparities. These observations have led to the notion that sex-dependent susceptibilities exist along the progression to addiction. Within this scope, neuroadaptations following psychostimulant exposure are thought to be distinct for each sex. This review summarizes clinical findings and animal research reporting sex differences in the subjective and behavioral responses to cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine. This discussion is followed by an examination of epigenetic and molecular alterations implicated in the addiction process. Special consideration is given to histone deacetylases and estrogen receptor-mediated gene expression.
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Siemsen BM, Barry SM, Vollmer KM, Green LM, Brock AG, Westphal AM, King RA, DeVries DM, Otis JM, Cowan CW, Scofield MD. A Subset of Nucleus Accumbens Neurons Receiving Dense and Functional Prelimbic Cortical Input Are Required for Cocaine Seeking. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:844243. [PMID: 35281297 PMCID: PMC8907444 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.844243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core are critical for cue-induced cocaine seeking, but the identity of the accumbens neuron(s) targeted by this projection, and the transient neuroadaptations contributing to relapse within these cells, remain unknown. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cocaine or sucrose self-administration, extinction, and cue-induced reinstatement. Pathway-specific chemogenetics, patch-clamp electrophysiology, in vivo electrochemistry, and high-resolution confocal microscopy were used to identify and characterize a small population of nucleus accumbens core neurons that receive dense prelimbic cortical input to determine their role in regulating cue-induced cocaine and natural reward seeking. Results Chemogenetic inhibition of prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core suppressed cue-induced cocaine relapse and normalized real-time cue-evoked increases in accumbens glutamate release to that of sucrose seeking animals. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of the population of nucleus accumbens core neurons receiving the densest prelimbic cortical input suppressed cocaine, but not sucrose seeking. These neurons also underwent morphological plasticity during the peak of cocaine seeking in the form of dendritic spine expansion and increased ensheathment by astroglial processes at large spines. Conclusion We identified and characterized a unique subpopulation of nucleus accumbens neurons that receive dense prelimbic cortical input. The functional specificity of this subpopulation is underscored by their ability to mediate cue-induced cocaine relapse, but not sucrose seeking. This subset of cells represents a novel target for addiction therapeutics revealed by anterograde targeting to interrogate functional circuits imbedded within a known network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sarah M. Barry
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kelsey M. Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Lisa M. Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Ashley G. Brock
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Annaka M. Westphal
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Raven A. King
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Derek M. DeVries
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James M. Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Christopher W. Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Michael D. Scofield
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael D. Scofield,
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