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Angarita GA, Pittman B, Nararajan A, Mayerson TF, Parate A, Marlin B, Gueorguieva RR, Potenza MN, Ganesan D, Malison RT. Discriminating cocaine use from other sympathomimetics using wearable electrocardiographic (ECG) sensors. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 250:110898. [PMID: 37523916 PMCID: PMC10905422 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110898] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our group has established the feasibility of using on-body electrocardiographic (ECG) sensors to detect cocaine use in the human laboratory. The purpose of the current study was to test whether ECG sensors and features are capable of discriminating cocaine use from other non-cocaine sympathomimetics. METHODS Eleven subjects with cocaine use disorder wore the Zephyr BioHarness™ 3 chest band under six experimental (drug and non-drug) conditions, including 1) laboratory, intravenous cocaine self-administration, 2) after a single oral dose of methylphenidate, 3) during aerobic exercise, 4) during tobacco use (N=7 who smoked tobacco), and 5) during routine activities of daily inpatient living (unit activity). Three ECG-derived feature sets served as primary outcome measures, including 1) the RR interval (i.e., heart rate), 2) a group of ECG interval proxies (i.e., PR, QS, QT and QTc intervals), and 3) the full ECG waveform. Discriminatory power between cocaine and non-cocaine conditions for each of the three outcomes measures was expressed as the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve. RESULTS All three outcomes successfully discriminated cocaine use from unit activity, exercise, tobacco, and methylphenidate conditions with a mean AUROC values ranging from 0.66 to 0.99 and with least squares means values all statistically different/higher than 0.5 among all subjects [F(3, 99) = 3.38, p =0.02] and among those with tobacco use [F(4, 84) = 5.39, p = 0.0007]. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results support discriminatory power of wearable ECG sensors for detecting cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A Angarita
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA.
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Annamalai Nararajan
- Philips Research North America, Cambridge, MA02141, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Talia F Mayerson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Abhinav Parate
- Manning College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Lumme Health Inc, Boston, MA02210, USA
| | - Benjamin Marlin
- Manning College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Ralitza R Gueorguieva
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT06109, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Deepak Ganesan
- Manning College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA
| | - Robert T Malison
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT06519, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT06510, USA
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Towers EB, Williams IL, Qillawala EI, Rissman EF, Lynch WJ. Sex/Gender Differences in the Time-Course for the Development of Substance Use Disorder: A Focus on the Telescoping Effect. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:217-249. [PMID: 36781217 PMCID: PMC9969523 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex/gender effects have been demonstrated for multiple aspects of addiction, with one of the most commonly cited examples being the "telescoping effect" where women meet criteria and/or seek treatment of substance use disorder (SUD) after fewer years of drug use as compared with men. This phenomenon has been reported for multiple drug classes including opioids, psychostimulants, alcohol, and cannabis, as well as nonpharmacological addictions, such as gambling. However, there are some inconsistent reports that show either no difference between men and women or opposite effects and a faster course to addiction in men than women. Thus, the goals of this review are to evaluate evidence for and against the telescoping effect in women and to determine the conditions/populations for which the telescoping effect is most relevant. We also discuss evidence from preclinical studies, which strongly support the validity of the telescoping effect and show that female animals develop addiction-like features (e.g., compulsive drug use, an enhanced motivation for the drug, and enhanced drug-craving/vulnerability to relapse) more readily than male animals. We also discuss biologic factors that may contribute to the telescoping effect, such as ovarian hormones, and its neurobiological basis focusing on the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway and the corticomesolimbic glutamatergic pathway considering the critical roles these pathways play in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of addictive drugs and SUD. We conclude with future research directions, including intervention strategies to prevent the development of SUD in women. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: One of the most widely cited gender/sex differences in substance use disorder (SUD) is the "telescoping effect," which reflects an accelerated course in women versus men for the development and/or seeking treatment for SUD. This review evaluates evidence for and against a telescoping effect drawing upon data from both clinical and preclinical studies. We also discuss the contribution of biological factors and underlying neurobiological mechanisms and highlight potential targets to prevent the development of SUD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Blair Towers
- Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (E.B.T., I.L.W., E.I.Q., W.J.L.) and Medical Scientist Training Program (E.B.T.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (E.F.R.)
| | - Ivy L Williams
- Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (E.B.T., I.L.W., E.I.Q., W.J.L.) and Medical Scientist Training Program (E.B.T.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (E.F.R.)
| | - Emaan I Qillawala
- Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (E.B.T., I.L.W., E.I.Q., W.J.L.) and Medical Scientist Training Program (E.B.T.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (E.F.R.)
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (E.B.T., I.L.W., E.I.Q., W.J.L.) and Medical Scientist Training Program (E.B.T.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (E.F.R.)
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences (E.B.T., I.L.W., E.I.Q., W.J.L.) and Medical Scientist Training Program (E.B.T.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (E.F.R.)
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Jensen KL, Jensen SB, Madsen KL. A mechanistic overview of approaches for the treatment of psychostimulant dependence. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:854176. [PMID: 36160447 PMCID: PMC9493975 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.854176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulant use disorder is a major health issue around the world with enormous individual, family-related and societal consequences, yet there are no effective pharmacological treatments available. In this review, a target-based overview of pharmacological treatments toward psychostimulant addiction will be presented. We will go through therapeutic approaches targeting different aspects of psychostimulant addiction with focus on three major areas; 1) drugs targeting signalling, and metabolism of the dopamine system, 2) drugs targeting either AMPA receptors or metabotropic glutamate receptors of the glutamate system and 3) drugs targeting the severe side-effects of quitting long-term psychostimulant use. For each of these major modes of intervention, findings from pre-clinical studies in rodents to clinical trials in humans will be listed, and future perspectives of the different treatment strategies as well as their potential side-effects will be discussed. Pharmaceuticals modulating the dopamine system, such as antipsychotics, DAT-inhibitors, and disulfiram, have shown some promising results. Cognitive enhancers have been found to increase aspects of behavioural control, and drugs targeting the glutamate system such as modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors and AMPA receptors have provided interesting changes in relapse behaviour. Furthermore, CRF-antagonists directed toward alleviating the symptoms of the withdrawal stage have been examined with interesting resulting changes in behaviour. There are promising results investigating therapeutics for psychostimulant addiction, but further preclinical work and additional human studies with a more stratified patient selection are needed to prove sufficient evidence of efficacy and tolerability.
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Richards JR, Mefford JM, Patel JJ, Parikh AK, Eder AZ, Elder JW. The association between cocaine use detected on drug screening and rhabdomyolysis. TOXICOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24734306.2020.1752536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John R. Richards
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jason M. Mefford
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jaymin J. Patel
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Aman K. Parikh
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Anke Z. Eder
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Joshua W. Elder
- Department of Emdergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Jordan CJ, Humburg BA, Thorndike EB, Shaik AB, Xi ZX, Baumann MH, Newman AH, Schindler CW. Newly Developed Dopamine D 3 Receptor Antagonists, R-VK4-40 and R-VK4-116, Do Not Potentiate Cardiovascular Effects of Cocaine or Oxycodone in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 371:602-614. [PMID: 31562201 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.259390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid and cocaine abuse are major public health burdens. Existing medications for opioid use disorder are limited by abuse liability and side effects, whereas no treatments are currently approved in the United States for cocaine use disorder. Dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) antagonists have shown promise in attenuating opioid and cocaine reward and mitigating relapse in preclinical models. However, translation of D3R antagonists to the clinic has been hampered by reports that the D3R antagonists GSK598,809 (5-(5-((3-((1S,5R)-1-(2-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-yl)propyl)thio)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-4-methyloxazole) and SB-277,011A (2-(2-((1r,4r)-4-(2-oxo-2-(quinolin-4-yl)ethyl)cyclohexyl)ethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carbonitrile) have adverse cardiovascular effects in the presence of cocaine. Recently, we developed two structurally novel D3R antagonists, R-VK4-40 and R-VK4-116, which are highly selective for D3R and display translational potential for treatment of opioid use disorder. Here, we tested whether R-VK4-40 ((R)-N-(4-(4-(2-Chloro-3-ethylphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)-3-hydroxybutyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide) and R-VK4-116 ((R)-N-(4-(4-(3-Chloro-5-ethyl-2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)-3-hydroxybutyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide) have unwanted cardiovascular effects in the presence of oxycodone, a prescription opioid, or cocaine in freely moving rats fitted with surgically implanted telemetry transmitters. We also examined cardiovascular effects of the D3R antagonist, SB-277,011A, and L-741,626 (1-((1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperidin-4-ol), a dopamine D2 receptor-selective antagonist, for comparison. Consistent with prior reports, SB-277,011A increased blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity alone and in the presence of cocaine. L-741,626 increased blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, R-VK4-40 alone dose-dependently reduced blood pressure and heart rate and attenuated oxycodone-induced increases in blood pressure and oxycodone or cocaine-induced increases in heart rate. Similarly, R-VK4-116 alone dose-dependently reduced cocaine-induced increases in blood pressure and heart rate. These results highlight the safety of new D3R antagonists and support the continued development of R-VK4-40 and R-VK4-116 for the treatment of opioid and cocaine use disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Opioid and cocaine abuse are major public health challenges and new treatments that do not adversely impact the cardiovascular system are needed. Here, we show that two structurally novel dopamine D3 receptor antagonists, R-VK4-40 and R-VK4-116, do not potentiate, and may even protect against, oxycodone- or cocaine-induced changes in blood pressure and heart rate, supporting their further development for the treatment of opioid and/or cocaine use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe J Jordan
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bree A Humburg
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric B Thorndike
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Anver Basha Shaik
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles W Schindler
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch (C.J.J., B.A.H., A.B.S., Z.-X.X., A.H.N.), Designer Drug Research Unit (M.H.B., C.W.S.), and Preclinical Pharmacology Section (E.B.T., C.W.S.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland
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Wemm SE, Sinha R. Drug-induced stress responses and addiction risk and relapse. Neurobiol Stress 2019; 10:100148. [PMID: 30937354 PMCID: PMC6430516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies have assessed the effects of psychoactive drugs on stress biology, the neuroadaptations resulting from chronic drug use on stress biology, and their effects on addiction risk and relapse. This review mainly covers human research on the acute effects of different drugs of abuse (i.e., nicotine, cannabis, psychostimulants, alcohol, and opioids) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses. We review the literature on acute peripheral stress responses in naïve or light recreational users and binge/heavy or chronic drug users. We also discuss evidence of alterations in tonic levels, or tolerance, in the latter relative to the former and associated changes in the phasic stress responses. We discuss the impact of the stress system tolerance in heavy users on their response to drug- and stress-related cue responses and craving as compared to control subjects. A summary is provided of the effects of glucocorticoid responses and their adaptations on brain striatal and prefrontal cortices involved in the regulation of drug seeking and relapse risk. Finally, we summarize important considerations, including individual difference factors such as gender, co-occurring drug use, early trauma and adversity and drug use history and variation in methodologies, that may further influence the effects of these drugs on stress biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Wemm
- Yale Stress Center, Yale School of Medicine, 2 Church St South Suite 209, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
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Cardiovascular effects of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 195:140-147. [PMID: 30634109 PMCID: PMC6915966 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.006] [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: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) toxicity includes intense neurological and cardiovascular events. We examined MDPV-induced cardiovascular, temperature, and locomotor effects following escalating and repeated MDPV administration in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and compared these effects to cocaine in male rats. METHODS Telemetry devices were surgically implanted to allow continuous measurement of cardiovascular, temperature, and locomotor activity over a 22 h period after dosing. Rats were administered increasing intraperitoneal (IP) MDPV doses (1-5.6 mg/kg) every other day, followed two days later by a binge regimen of four injections of 3 mg/kg MDPV at 2 h intervals. MDPV serum concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Cocaine (3-30 mg/kg) and four injections of 30 mg/kg IP were administered to male rats for comparison with male MDPV data. RESULTS The duration of MDPV cardiovascular effects was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in male rats than female rats at 3-5.6 mg/kg. The ED50 for MDPV-induced locomotor was significantly lower in males (2.4 ± 0.3) than females (3.4 ± 0.2). Males showed significantly greater variability in MDPV serum concentrations than females after binge dosing. MDPV produced five-fold more potent cardiovascular effects than cocaine in male rats. MDPV did not alter thermoregulation in either sex, but cocaine binge administration decreased temperature. CONCLUSION Effects of MDPV on temperature were not significantly different between sexes. MDPV-induced cardiovascular and locomotor effects in males lasted significantly longer and were more potent than in females. These differences appeared to be related to pharmacokinetic factors leading to greater variance in MDPV serum concentrations in males.
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Perez PD, Hall G, Zubcevic J, Febo M. Cocaine differentially affects synaptic activity in memory and midbrain areas of female and male rats: an in vivo MEMRI study. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 12:201-216. [PMID: 28236167 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9691-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) has been previously used to determine the effect of acute cocaine on calcium-dependent synaptic activity in male rats. However, there have been no MEMRI studies examining sex differences in the functional neural circuits affected by repeated cocaine. In the present study, we used MEMRI to investigate the effects of repeated cocaine on brain activation in female and male rats. Adult female and male rats were scanned at 4.7 Tesla three days after final treatment with saline, a single cocaine injection (15 mg kg-1, i.p. × 1 day) or repeated cocaine injections (15 mg kg-1, i.p. × 10 days). A day before imaging rats were provided with an i.p. injection of manganese chloride (70 mg kg-1). Cocaine produced effects on MEMRI activity that were dependent on sex. In females, we observed that a single cocaine injection reduced MEMRI activity in hippocampal CA3, ventral tegmental area (VTA), and median Raphé, whereas repeated cocaine increased MEMRI activity in dentate gyrus and interpeduncular nucleus. In males, repeated cocaine reduced MEMRI activity in VTA. Overall, it appeared that female rats showed a general trend towards increase MEMRI activity with single cocaine and reduced activity with repeated exposure, while male rats showed a trend towards opposite effects. Our results provide evidence for sex differences in the in vivo neural response to cocaine, which involves primarily hippocampal, amygdala and midbrain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo D Perez
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Gabrielle Hall
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Jasenka Zubcevic
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Center for Addiction Research and Education (CARE), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Bouhlal S, Ellefsen KN, Sheskier MB, Singley E, Pirard S, Gorelick DA, Huestis MA, Leggio L. Acute effects of intravenous cocaine administration on serum concentrations of ghrelin, amylin, glucagon-like peptide-1, insulin, leptin and peptide YY and relationships with cardiorespiratory and subjective responses. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 180:68-75. [PMID: 28881319 PMCID: PMC5654385 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food intake and use of drugs of abuse like cocaine share common central and peripheral physiological pathways. Appetitive hormones play a major role in regulating food intake; however, little is known about the effects of acute cocaine administration on the blood concentrations of these hormones in cocaine users. METHODS We evaluated serum concentrations of six appetitive hormones: ghrelin (total and acyl-ghrelin), amylin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), insulin, leptin and peptide YY (PYY), as well as acute cardiorespiratory and subjective responses of 8 experienced cocaine users who received 25mg intravenous (IV) cocaine. RESULTS Serum concentrations of GLP-1 (p=0.014) and PYY (p=0.036) were significantly decreased one hour following IV cocaine administration; there was a trend towards a decrease for insulin (p=0.055) and amylin (p=0.063) concentrations, while no significant IV cocaine effect was observed for ghrelin (total or acyl-ghrelin) or leptin concentrations (p's≫>0.5). We also observed associations between hormone concentrations acutely affected by IV cocaine (GLP-1, PYY, insulin, amylin) and some cocaine-related cardiorespiratory and subjective responses (e.g., increased heart and respiratory rates; feeling high and anxious). DISCUSSION These findings show a significant effect of acute IV cocaine administration on some appetitive hormones and suggest potential associations between these hormones and cocaine-related cardiorespiratory and subjective responses. Additional research is needed to further investigate the potential mechanisms underlining these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Bouhlal
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive (10CRC/15330), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Kayla N. Ellefsen
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Mikela B. Sheskier
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive (10CRC/15330), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Erick Singley
- Clinical Core Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Sandrine Pirard
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - David A. Gorelick
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Marilyn A. Huestis
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive (10CRC/15330), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, United States.
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Riley AL, Hempel BJ, Clasen MM. Sex as a biological variable: Drug use and abuse. Physiol Behav 2017; 187:79-96. [PMID: 29030249 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.005] [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: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The study of sex as a biological variable is a necessary emphasis across a wide array of endpoints, including basic neuroscience, medicine, mental health, physiology and behavior. The present review summarizes work from clinical and preclinical populations on sex differences in drug use and abuse, ranging from initiation to escalation/dysregulation and from drug cessation/abstinence to relapse. These differences are analyzed in the context of the addiction cycle conceptualization of Koob and his colleagues and address patterns of drug use (binge/intoxication), motivation underlying its use (withdrawal/negative affect) and likelihood and causes of craving and relapse of drug taking (preoccupation/anticipation). Following this overview, an assessment of the basis for the reported sex differences is discussed in the context of the affective (rewarding and aversive) properties of drugs of abuse and how such properties and their balance vary with sex and contribute to drug intake. Finally, the interaction of sex with several experiential (drug history) and subject (age) factors and how these interactions affect reward and aversion are discussed to highlight the importance of understanding such interactions in predicting drug use and abuse. We note that sex as a biological variable remains one of critical evaluation and that such investigations of sex differences in drug use and abuse continue and be expanded to assess all facets of their mediation, including these affective properties, how their balance may be impacted by the multiple conditions under which drugs are taken and how this overall balance affects drug use and addiction vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA.
| | - Briana J Hempel
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
| | - Matthew M Clasen
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
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Runegaard AH, Jensen KL, Dencker D, Wörtwein G, Gether U. Subjective perception of cocaine reward in mice assessed by a single exposure place preference (sePP) paradigm. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 289:85-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Sex-dependent effects of cannabis-induced analgesia. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 167:112-20. [PMID: 27522535 PMCID: PMC5037015 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical studies demonstrate that cannabinoid-mediated antinociceptive effects vary according to sex; it is unknown if these findings extend to humans. METHODS This retrospective analysis compared the analgesic, subjective and physiological effects of active cannabis (3.56-5.60% THC) and inactive cannabis (0.00% THC) in male (N=21) and female (N=21) cannabis smokers under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. Pain response was measured using the Cold-Pressor Test (CPT). Participants immersed their hand in cold water (4°C); times to report pain (pain sensitivity) and withdraw the hand (pain tolerance) were recorded. Subjective drug ratings were also measured. RESULTS Among men, active cannabis significantly decreased pain sensitivity relative to inactive cannabis (p<0.01). In women, active cannabis failed to decrease pain sensitivity relative to inactive. Active cannabis increased pain tolerance in both men women immediately after smoking (p<0.001); a trend was observed for differences between men and women (p<0.10). Active cannabis also increased subjective ratings of cannabis associated with abuse liability ('Take again,' 'Liking,' 'Good drug effect'), drug strength, and 'High' relative to inactive in both men and women (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that in cannabis smokers, men exhibit greater cannabis-induced analgesia relative to women. These sex-dependent differences are independent of cannabis-elicited subjective effects associated with abuse-liability, which were consistent between men and women. As such, sex-dependent differences in cannabis's analgesic effects are an important consideration that warrants further investigation when considering the potential therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for pain relief.
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Agabio R, Campesi I, Pisanu C, Gessa GL, Franconi F. Sex differences in substance use disorders: focus on side effects. Addict Biol 2016; 21:1030-42. [PMID: 27001402 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Although sex differences in several aspects of substance use disorders (SUDs) have been identified, less is known about the importance of possible sex differences in side effects induced by substances of abuse or by medications used to treat SUDs. In the SUD field, the perception of certain subjective effects are actively sought, while all other manifestations might operationally be considered side effects. This article was aimed at reviewing sex differences in side effects induced by alcohol, nicotine, heroin, marijuana and cocaine and by medications approved for alcohol, nicotine and heroin use disorders. A large body of evidence suggests that women are at higher risk of alcohol-induced injury, liver disease, cardiomyopathy, myopathy, brain damages and mortality. The risk of tobacco-induced coronary heart disease, lung disease and health problems is higher for women than for men. Women also experience greater exposure to side effects induced by heroin, marijuana and cocaine. In addition, women appear to be more vulnerable to the side effects induced by medications used to treat SUDs. Patients with SUDs should be advised that the risk of developing health problems may be higher for women than for men after consumption of the same amount of substances of abuse. Doses of medications for SUD women should be adjusted at least according to body weight. The sex differences observed also indicate an urgent need to recruit adequate numbers of female subjects in pre-clinical and clinical studies to improve our knowledge about SUDs in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Agabio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Ilaria Campesi
- National Laboratory of Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems; Osilo, Sassari Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Claudia Pisanu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Gessa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, Section of Cagliari; National Research Council of Italy; Cagliari Italy
| | - Flavia Franconi
- National Laboratory of Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems; Osilo, Sassari Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
- Assessorato alle Politiche per la Persona; Regione Basilicata Italy
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Davis C, Levitan RD, Kaplan AS, Carter-Major JC, Kennedy JL. Sex differences in subjective and objective responses to a stimulant medication (methylphenidate): Comparisons between overweight/obese adults with and without binge-eating disorder. Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:473-81. [PMID: 26691428 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in response to a single dose of a psychomotor-stimulant medication (methylphenidate: MP) and to assess whether expected differences were moderated by binge-eating disorder (BED) status. It is anticipated that findings will shed light on factors that contribute to response variation in the use of stimulant pharmacotherapy to treat BED. METHOD The study employed a double-blind, drug-placebo, cross-over design in overweight/obese adults with BED (n = 90) and without BED (n = 108). Emotional/mood ratings were assessed every 15 minutes after oral administration of the drug/placebo, and appetite, cravings, and consumption were assessed during a laboratory-based snack-food challenge. RESULTS Women reported earlier and more sustained "overall" effects of the drug-including "feeling high"-than the men. There was also a significantly greater suppression in appetite ratings, food cravings, and food consumption from the placebo to the drug condition among the women. Indeed, among men there were no significant differences between the two conditions on any of the food-related variables. BED status also did not moderate any of the drug-placebo differences. DISCUSSION These findings are relevant to the use of stimulant pharmacotherapy for BED, and raise the possibility that overweight/obese men may be relatively less responsive to this form of treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:473-481).
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Davis
- Kinesiology & Health Sciences, York University, Toronto, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
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15
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Kuhn C. Emergence of sex differences in the development of substance use and abuse during adolescence. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 153:55-78. [PMID: 26049025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Substance use and abuse begin during adolescence. Male and female adolescent humans initiate use at comparable rates, but males increase use faster. In adulthood, more men than women use and abuse addictive drugs. However, some women progress more rapidly from initiation of use to entry into treatment. In animal models, adolescent males and females consume addictive drugs similarly. However, reproductively mature females acquire self-administration faster, and in some models, escalate use more. Sex/gender differences exist in neurobiologic factors mediating both reinforcement (dopamine, opioids) and aversiveness (CRF, dynorphin), as well as intrinsic factors (personality, psychiatric co-morbidities) and extrinsic factors (history of abuse, environment especially peers and family) which influence the progression from initial use to abuse. Many of these important differences emerge during adolescence, and are moderated by sexual differentiation of the brain. Estradiol effects which enhance both dopaminergic and CRF-mediated processes contribute to the female vulnerability to substance use and abuse. Testosterone enhances impulsivity and sensation seeking in both males and females. Several protective factors in females also influence initiation and progression of substance use including hormonal changes of pregnancy as well as greater capacity for self-regulation and lower peak levels of impulsivity/sensation seeking. Same sex peers represent a risk factor more for males than females during adolescence, while romantic partners increase risk for women during this developmental epoch. In summary, biologic factors, psychiatric co-morbidities as well as personality and environment present sex/gender-specific risks as adolescents begin to initiate substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Kuhn
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Box 3813, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
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16
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Abstract
Men and women respond differently to the subjective effects of cocaine and cocaine-associated cues, which has implications for the development and maintenance of cocaine addiction. Preclinical studies performed in rats, modeling various aspects of cocaine addiction, have largely validated these results, indicating that female rats may be more sensitive to the rewarding properties of cocaine. The molecular mechanisms leading to sex differences in cocaine reward have largely not been determined, although sex hormones are thought to play a role. The mouse is commonly used as a model organism to study the molecular and genetic factors that influence a variety of psychiatric disorders. In particular, the inbred C57BL/6 mouse strain is often used for behavioral studies related to substance abuse. To begin to understand the hormonal, molecular and genetic mechanisms that might affect cocaine reward, we directly compared male and female C57BL/6J mice in cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP), a test that examines the rewarding and cue-associated properties of drugs of abuse. We conditioned mice at three doses of cocaine and examined preference and extinction of preference. We found that the acquisition of cocaine CPP did not differ between male and female mice. However, extinction of cocaine CPP was delayed in male mice compared with females at the lowest dose of cocaine. We conclude that sex differences in cocaine CPP can be observed in C57BL/6J mice at very low doses of cocaine.
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17
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Cooper ZD, Haney M. Investigation of sex-dependent effects of cannabis in daily cannabis smokers. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 136:85-91. [PMID: 24440051 PMCID: PMC4518446 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women exhibit an accelerated progression from first cannabis use to cannabis use disorder (CUD) and show pronounced negative clinical issues related to CUD relative to men. Whether sex-dependent differences in cannabis' direct effects contribute to the heightened risk in women is unknown. This analysis directly compared cannabis' abuse-related subjective effects in men and women matched for current cannabis use. METHODS Data from four double-blind, within-subject studies measuring the effects of active cannabis (3.27-5.50% THC, depending on study) relative to inactive cannabis (0.00% THC) were combined for this analysis. Data from equal numbers of men and women from each study matched for current cannabis use were pooled (total n=35 men; 35 women); cannabis' effects were analyzed according to cannabis condition (active versus inactive) and sex. RESULTS Active cannabis produced more robust subjective effects associated with abuse liability ('Good,' 'Liking,' 'Take Again') and intoxication ('High,' 'Stimulated') relative to inactive cannabis (p≤0.0001). Women reported higher ratings of abuse-related effects ['Take Again' and 'Good' (p≤0.05)] relative to men under active cannabis conditions but did not differ in ratings of intoxication. Active cannabis increased heart rate (p≤0.0001) equally for both sexes. CONCLUSIONS The results from this study suggest that when matched for cannabis use, women are more sensitive to the subjective effects related to cannabis' abuse liability relative to men, which may contribute to the enhanced vulnerability to developing CUD. Thus, sex is an important variable to consider when assessing the development of CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva D. Cooper
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
| | - Margaret Haney
- Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
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18
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Matuskey D, Pittman B, Chen JI, Wanyiri J, Nadim H, Jatlow P, Gueorguieva R, Potenza MN, Morgan PT, Bhagwagar Z, Malison RT. A single-day paradigm of self-regulated human cocaine administration. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 103:95-101. [PMID: 22922558 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Prior work by our group has shown the feasibility, safety, and validity of a multi-day, multi-dose paradigm of self-regulated cocaine administration in humans. The current work sought to consolidate these methods in a single-day design focused on reducing logistical complexity, decreasing research burden to human subjects, and increasing suitability for medication development designs. METHODS Eleven experienced cocaine users participated in a 6-hour, single-day design, consisting of one safety/eligibility and three experimental cocaine periods (during which subjects were allowed to self-administer 8, 16, and 32 mg/70 kg cocaine doses under a fixed-ratio 1:5 minute timeout schedule). Changes in cocaine-induced cardiovascular response, self-administration behavior, and subjective effects were assessed. RESULTS Procedures were well tolerated by participants, and no significant adverse events were noted. Significant (p < 0.05), changes in measures of cocaine self-administration (e.g., responses, infusions, interinfusion intervals, consumption, and plasma levels), cardiovascular response (HR), and subjective effects (“high”) were observed. In contrast, cocaine-induced increases in other vital signs (e.g., SBP, DBP) and subjective effect measures (e.g., paranoia) did not differ between doses. CONCLUSIONS These data support the safety, tolerability and validity of our single-day design. Depending on the application, such methods may afford advantages for assessing the self-regulation of cocaine administration behavior in humans (e.g., including medication development designs).
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Affiliation(s)
- D Matuskey
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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19
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Cooper ZD, Foltin RW, Evans SM. Effects of menstrual cycle phase on cocaine self-administration in rhesus macaques. Horm Behav 2013; 63:105-13. [PMID: 23098805 PMCID: PMC3540131 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological findings suggest that men and women vary in their pattern of cocaine use resulting in differences in cocaine dependence and relapse rates. Preclinical laboratory studies have demonstrated that female rodents are indeed more sensitive to cocaine's reinforcing effects than males, with estrous cycle stage as a key determinant of this effect. The current study sought to extend these findings to normally cycling female rhesus macaques, a species that shares a nearly identical menstrual cycle to humans. Dose-dependent intravenous cocaine self-administration (0.0125, 0.0250, and 0.0500 mg/kg/infusion) using a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement was determined across the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle was divided into 5 discrete phases - menses, follicular, periovulatory, luteal, and late luteal phases - verified by the onset of menses and plasma levels of estradiol and progesterone. Dependent variables including number of infusions self-administered per session, progressive ratio breakpoint, and cocaine intake were analyzed according to cocaine dose and menstrual cycle phase. Analysis of plasma hormone levels verified phase-dependent fluctuations of estradiol and progesterone, with estrogen levels peaking during the periovulatory phase, and progesterone peaking during the luteal phase. Progressive ratio breakpoint, infusions self-administered, and cocaine intake did not consistently vary based on menstrual cycle phase. These findings demonstrate that under the current experimental parameters, the reinforcing effects of cocaine did not vary across the menstrual cycle in a systematic fashion in normally cycling rhesus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziva D Cooper
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Substance Use Research Center, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 66, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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20
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Kasperski SJ, Vincent KB, Caldeira KM, Garnier-Dykstra LM, O'Grady KE, Arria AM. College students' use of cocaine: results from a longitudinal study. Addict Behav 2011; 36:408-11. [PMID: 21196083 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Revised: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
College students have high rates of heavy drinking and other risky behaviors, but little is known about trends in their use of cocaine. In this longitudinal study of 1253 college students at one large, public university in the mid-Atlantic region, annual interviews assessed opportunity to use cocaine, cocaine use, and DSM-IV criteria for cocaine abuse and dependence. Follow-up rates exceeded 87% annually. Data from the first four years of college were analyzed to detect changes over time and possible gender differences. By their fourth year of college, 36%(wt) of students had been offered cocaine at least once in their lifetime, and 13%(wt) had used cocaine. Annual prevalence of cocaine use increased significantly over time (4%(wt) in Year 1 to 10%(wt) in Year 4) and remained similar across genders. Opportunities to use cocaine were significantly more prevalent for males than females during Years 2 through 4. Cocaine use given opportunity increased significantly over time for both males and females. Among 243 cocaine users, females (n=113) had more serious use patterns than males, with higher average frequency of use (18.39 vs. 8.83 days during the peak year of use, p<.05) and greater likelihood of meeting criteria for cocaine dependence (9.3% vs. 2.5%, p<.05). Gender differences in typical cocaine dosage were not apparent. College administrators and health providers should be aware of the prevalence of cocaine use among student populations and design strategies to address the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Kasperski
- University of Maryland School of Public Health, Department of Family Science, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
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21
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Zacny JP, Jun JM. Lack of sex differences to the subjective effects of nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers. Drug Alcohol Depend 2010; 112:251-4. [PMID: 20667429 PMCID: PMC2997192 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although numerous studies have assessed subjective effects of nitrous oxide, few studies have analyzed for sex differences. Since sex differences have been reported in subjective effects of several drugs such as opioids, nicotine and alcohol, we sought to determine if sex modulates the subjective effects of the inhalant, nitrous oxide, in healthy volunteers. METHODS Thirty-eight females and seventy-two males from nine studies that were conducted in our laboratory were included in this retrospective analysis. All experimental studies utilized randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated measures designs in which subjects inhaled 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen and 100% oxygen (placebo). Dependent measures in this analysis were subjective effects measured at baseline and 15 min into the inhalation period. RESULTS Nitrous oxide produced a number of subjective effects, including those that could be considered abuse liability-related ("elated," "having pleasant thoughts," drug liking), but sex did not modulate these effects. CONCLUSIONS Females and males showed similar subjective responses to 30% nitrous oxide. Future prospective studies might assess other concentrations, other measures (choice, analgesic response), and other inhaled general anesthetics to more comprehensively characterize the role of sex in response to inhalants.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P. Zacny
- Corresponding author at: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, MC 4028, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Tel.: +1 773 702 9920; fax: +1 773 834 9714, (J.P. Zacny)
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Menéndez-Delmestre R, Segarra AC. Testosterone is essential for cocaine sensitization in male rats. Physiol Behav 2010; 102:96-104. [PMID: 20932851 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Most studies agree that males and females respond differently to drugs of abuse. In females, estradiol enhances the behavioral response to cocaine. However, studies on the role of testosterone and the locomotor response to psychostimulants in the male rat are inconclusive. Our study was designed to determine the behavioral effects of testosterone on the development and persistence of cocaine sensitization in male rats. We tested different doses of cocaine (10, 15 and 30mg/kg) to determine which dose induced locomotor sensitization in intact (INT) and gonadectomized (GDX) animals. We also investigated if GDX males with testosterone replacement (GDX-T) showed a similar locomotor response to cocaine as INT males. Our data showed that gonadectomy enhanced the locomotor response to a single cocaine injection. This effect was not observed in gonadectomized rats that received testosterone replacement. However, GDX rats did not show a progressive increase in their locomotor response to repeated cocaine administration (15 and 30mg/kg) (sensitization) as did INT and GDX-T animals. It is possible that in GDX males, the initial high locomotor response to cocaine creates a ceiling effect that limits further increase in cocaine-induced hyperactivity. These findings indicate that testosterone not only modulates the behavioral response to a single and to repeated cocaine injections, but is also essential for male rats to become sensitized to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa Menéndez-Delmestre
- Physioogy Department, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
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23
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Evans SM, Foltin RW. Does the response to cocaine differ as a function of sex or hormonal status in human and non-human primates? Horm Behav 2010; 58:13-21. [PMID: 19733571 PMCID: PMC2883681 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Revised: 08/19/2009] [Accepted: 08/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Stimulant abuse continues to be a growing problem among women. Over the last 10-15 years, an increasing number of studies have focused on factors that may be implicated in stimulant abuse in women as compared to men, including the role of hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Numerous preclinical studies have documented that female rodents are more sensitive than male rodents to the behavioral effects of stimulant administration and the hormone estradiol is involved in the enhanced response to stimulants observed in females. In contrast, fewer studies have been conducted in humans and non-human primates addressing the role of sex and gonadal hormones on the effects of cocaine. This review paper presents a recent update on data collected in our Human Cocaine Challenge Laboratory and our Non-human Primate Laboratory, including analysis of cocaine pharmacokinetics, sex differences, the menstrual cycle, and the role of progesterone in modulating the response to cocaine. Our studies indicate that there is minimal evidence that the response to intranasal cocaine varies across the menstrual cycle or between men and women. In contrast, the response to smoked cocaine is greater in the follicular phase than the luteal phase and differences between men and women generally only emerge when men are compared to women in the luteal phase. In terms of potential hormonal mechanisms for these differences, the hormone progesterone attenuates the subjective response to cocaine. With respect to cocaine self-administration, there are minimal changes across the menstrual cycle in both humans and non-human primates. Thus, there is converging evidence across a range of species that the behavioral effects of cocaine (1) differ between males and females, (2) differ in relation to hormonal fluctuations, (3) can be attenuated by progesterone (at least in females), and (4) do not appear to be related to differences in cocaine pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzette M Evans
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 66, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Kohtz AS, Paris JJ, Frye CA. Low doses of cocaine decrease, and high doses increase, anxiety-like behavior and brain progestogen levels among intact rats. Horm Behav 2010; 57:474-80. [PMID: 20171966 PMCID: PMC3608214 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2009] [Revised: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There are sex and hormonal differences in response to cocaine that have been demonstrated in people and animal models. Cocaine can alter secretion of progestogens, such as progesterone (P), and its neuroactive metabolite, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP). However, little research has been done on the neuroendocrine effects in the initiation phase of cocaine use. We hypothesize that some sex/hormonal differences in initiation phase responses to cocaine may be related to formation of progestogens. To investigate the role of progestogens in sex differences in response to acute cocaine, male and female rats in the high (proestrous) or low (diestrous) progestogen phase of the estrous cycle were administered cocaine (0, 5, 10, or 20mg/kg, IP). We examined cocaine's acute neuroendocrine effects on P and 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels, as well as its effects on acute psychomotor stimulation, anxiety, and sexual behaviors. Among rats that had P and/or 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels increased in response to cocaine, enhanced acute psychomotor stimulation was observed. Results suggest that cocaine produces U-shaped curves for progestogens, and anxiety-like behaviors. Male rats were less susceptible to these effects of cocaine than were proestrous or diestrous female rats. However, cocaine's disruption of sexual behaviors was similar among males and proestrous females. These data suggest a complex interaction between hormonal milieu and the neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S. Kohtz
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
| | - Jason J. Paris
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
| | - Cheryl A. Frye
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
- Center for Life Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Research, The University at Albany-SUNY, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences Research Building 01058, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA. Fax: +1 518 591 8848. (C.A. Frye)
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Angarita GA, Pittman B, Gueorguieva R, Kalayasiri R, Lynch WJ, Sughondhabirom A, Morgan PT, Malison RT. Regulation of cocaine self-administration in humans: lack of evidence for loading and maintenance phases. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2009; 95:51-5. [PMID: 20005893 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Revised: 11/25/2009] [Accepted: 12/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In rodents, cocaine self-administration under a fixed-ratio schedule and with timeout intervals limited to the duration of the infusions is characterized by an initial burst of drug intake (loading) followed by more stable infusion rates (maintenance). We sought to examine whether similar phases might characterize self-regulated cocaine use in humans. METHODS 31 Non-treatment seeking, cocaine dependent subjects participated in three (8, 16, and 32 mg/70 kg/infusion), self-regulated, 2-h cocaine self-administration sessions under a fixed-ratio 1, 5-min timeout schedule. Data were assessed for visual (e.g., by graphs of cumulative numbers of infusions) and statistical evidence of change in phase (by step-function analyses of individual infusion rates). RESULTS Graphs of cumulative infusions over time suggested a single, linear rate of self-administration over 2h at each cocaine dose. Statistical analyses of infusion data by generalized estimating equation (GEE) models also failed to support a loading/maintenance pattern (suggesting, if anything, the possibility of increasing infusion rates over time). CONCLUSIONS Our findings fail to support the existence of distinct loading and maintenance phases of self-regulated cocaine administration in humans at behaviorally relevant doses. Several factors may account for these observations including differences between humans and rodents in self-regulated drug intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A Angarita
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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