1
|
Holt LM, Nestler EJ. Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:409-424. [PMID: 37940687 PMCID: PMC11066772 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02716-4] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fultz EK, Nei AYT, Chi JC, Lichter JN, Szumlinski KK. Effects of systemic pretreatment with the NAALADase inhibitor 2-PMPA on oral methamphetamine reinforcement in C57BL/6J mice. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1297275. [PMID: 38638417 PMCID: PMC11024460 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1297275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Repeated exposure to methamphetamine (MA) in laboratory rodents induces a sensitization of glutamate release within the corticoaccumbens pathway that drives both the rewarding and reinforcing properties of this highly addictive drug. Such findings argue the potential for pharmaceutical agents inhibiting glutamate release or its postsynaptic actions at glutamate receptors as treatment strategies for MA use disorder. One compound that may accomplish both of these pharmacological actions is the N-acetylated-alpha-linked-acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). 2-PMPA elevates brain levels of the endogenous agonist of glutamate mGluR3 autoreceptors, N-acetyl-aspartatylglutamate (NAAG), while potentially acting as an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist. Of relevance to treating psychomotor stimulant use disorders, 2-PMPA is reported to reduce indices of both cocaine and synthetic cathinone reward, as well as cocaine reinforcement in preclinical rodent studies. Method Herein, we conducted three experiments to pilot the effects of systemic pretreatment with 2-PMPA (0-100 mg/kg, IP) on oral MA self-administration in C57BL/6J mice. The first experiment employed female mice with a prolonged history of MA exposure, while the mice in the second (females) and third (males and females) experiment were MA-naïve prior to study. In all experiments, mice were trained daily to nose-poke for delivery of unadulterated MA solutions until responding stabilized. Then, mice were pretreated with 2-PMPA prior to operant-conditioning sessions in which nose-poking behavior was reinforced by delivery of 120 mg/L or 200 mg/L MA (respectively, in Experiments 1 and 2/3). Results Contrary to our expectations, 30 mg/kg 2-PMPA pretreatment altered neither appetitive nor consummatory measures related to MA self-administration. In Experiment 3, 100 mg/kg 2-PMPA reduced responding in the MA-reinforced hole, as well as the number of reinforcers earned, but did not significantly lower drug intake. Discussion These results provide mixed evidenced related to the efficacy of this NAALADase inhibitor for reducing oral MA reinforcement in female mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elissa K. Fultz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Y. T. Nei
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Joyce C. Chi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Jacqueline N. Lichter
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Karen K. Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Peng Y, Wang Y, Liu L, Yang G, Zhang D, Hong S, Li L. The effects of ketamine and methamphetamine on neurotransmitters, glutamate receptors, and conditioned place preference in rat. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 65:102328. [PMID: 37778205 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102328] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Combined methamphetamine (MA) and ketamine (KET) abuse is a serious issue. At present, however, few studies have explored the mechanism underlying their combined addiction. We established a rat conditioned place preference (CPP) model. We investigated the role of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), monoamine oxidase (MAO), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), and glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) in combined MA and KET addiction. The expression levels of DA, 5-HT, and MAO were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expressions levels of GluR1 and GluR2 were detected by western blotting. Our results showed that MA and KET successfully induced CPP in rats respectively, and KET enhanced MA-induced CPP effects, although not significantly, and KET can reduce the MA-induced increase in DA, 5-HT, MAO and promoted the MA-induced increase in GluR1 and GluR2. Therefore, it suggested that DA, 5-HT, MAO, GluR1, and GluR2 expression may be involved in the mechanism underlying MA and KET-induced drug addiction in rats. Moreover, When MA and KET are used in combination, KET appears to play a dual addictive and anti-addictive role in the regulation of MA addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Peng
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yihang Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China; School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Hubei, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Genmeng Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Dongxian Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shijun Hong
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - Lihua Li
- School of Forensic Medicine/NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hammad AM, Naser A, Amawi H, Hall FS, Tiwari AK, Al-Trad B. Effect of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in attenuating pregabalin-induced condition place preference. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114244. [PMID: 36470419 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114244] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Substance abuse is a worldwide problem with serious repercussions for patients and the communities where they live. Pregabalin (Lyrica), is a medication commonly used to treat neuropathic pain. Like other analgesic medications there has been concern about pregabalin abuse and misuse. Although it was initially suggested that pregabalin, like other gabapentinoids, has limited abuse liability, questions still remain concerning this inquiry. Changes in glutamate system homeostasis are a hallmark of adaptations underlying drug dependence, including down-regulation of the glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1; SLC1A2) and the cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT; SLC7A11). In this study, it was found that pregabalin (90 mg/kg) produces a conditioned place preference (CPP), indicative of reinforcing effects that suggest a potential for abuse liability. Moreover, like other drugs of abuse, pregabalin also produced alterations in glutamate homeostasis, reducing the mRNA expression of Slc1a2 and Slc7a11 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, a β-lactam antibiotic, blocked the reinforcing effects of pregabalin and normalized glutamate homeostasis. These results suggest that pregabalin has abuse potential that should be examined more critically, and that, moreover, the mechanisms underlying these effects are similar to those of other drugs of abuse, such as heroin and cocaine. Additionally, these results support previous findings showing normalization of glutamate homeostasis by β-lactam drugs that provides a novel potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of drug abuse and dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Hammad
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Asma'a Naser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan
| | - Haneen Amawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan
| | - F Scott Hall
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Bahaa Al-Trad
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abulseoud OA, Alasmari F, Hussein AM, Sari Y. Ceftriaxone as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Hyperglutamatergic States: Bridging the Gap Between Preclinical Results and Clinical Translation. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:841036. [PMID: 35864981 PMCID: PMC9294323 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.841036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of glutamate homeostasis is a well-established core feature of neuropsychiatric disorders. Extracellular glutamate concentration is regulated by glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1). The discovery of a beta-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone (CEF), as a safe compound with unique ability to upregulate GLT-1 sparked the interest in testing its efficacy as a novel therapeutic agent in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders with hyperglutamatergic states. Indeed, more than 100 preclinical studies have shown the efficacy of CEF in attenuating the behavioral manifestations of various hyperglutamatergic brain disorders such as ischemic stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), seizure, Huntington’s disease, and various aspects of drug use disorders. However, despite rich and promising preclinical data, only one large-scale clinical trial testing the efficacy of CEF in patients with ALS is reported. Unfortunately, in that study, there was no significant difference in survival between placebo- and CEF-treated patients. In this review, we discussed the translational potential of preclinical efficacy of CEF based on four different parameters: (1) initiation of CEF treatment in relation to induction of the hyperglutamatergic state, (2) onset of response in preclinical models in relation to onset of GLT-1 upregulation, (3) mechanisms of action of CEF on GLT-1 expression and function, and (4) non-GLT-1-mediated mechanisms for CEF. Our detailed review of the literature brings new insights into underlying molecular mechanisms correlating the preclinical efficacy of CEF. We concluded here that CEF may be clinically effective in selected cases in acute and transient hyperglutamatergic states such as early drug withdrawal conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osama A. Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Alex School of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Osama A. Abulseoud,
| | - Fawaz Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelaziz M. Hussein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Youssef Sari,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rahman S, Rahman ZI, Ronan PJ, Lutfy K, Bell RL. Adolescent opioid abuse: Role of glial and neuroimmune mechanisms. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 161:147-165. [PMID: 34801168 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Opioids are widely prescribed for pain management, and prescription opioid misuse in adolescents has become a major epidemic in the United States and worldwide. Emerging data indicate that adolescence represents a critical period of brain development, and exposure to opioids during adolescence may increase the risk of addiction in adulthood. There is growing evidence that disruptions in brain glial function may be implicated in numerous chronic neuropathologies. Evidence suggests that glial mechanisms have an important role in the development and maintenance of opioid abuse and the risk for addiction. This review will describe glial and neuroimmune mechanisms involved in opioid use disorders during adolescence, which may increase substance use disorder liability later in life. Moreover, this review will identify some important neuro-glial targets, involved in opioid abuse and addiction, to develop future preventions and treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States.
| | - Z I Rahman
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - P J Ronan
- Department of Psychiatry and Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, United States; Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Healthcare System, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
| | - K Lutfy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - R L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alghamdi BS, Alshehri FS. Melatonin Blocks Morphine-Induced Place Preference: Involvement of GLT-1, NF-κB, BDNF, and CREB in the Nucleus Accumbens. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:762297. [PMID: 34720901 PMCID: PMC8551802 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.762297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction remains a widespread issue despite continuous attempts by the FDA to help maintain abstinence. Melatonin is a neurohormone considered to be involved only in the neuroendocrine and reproductive systems; however, recent reports have demonstrated its potential to attenuate drug addiction and dependence. Cumulative studies have suggested that melatonin can attenuate the rewarding effects of several drugs of abuse, including opioids. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin (50 mg/kg) on morphine (5 mg/kg) to produce place preference. We also investigated the effect of melatonin and morphine on the expression of GLT-1, BDNF, NF-κB, and CREB within the nucleus accumbens. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, morphine, melatonin, and the morphine + melatonin groups. The study involved a two-phase habituation phase from day 1 to day 3 and an acquisition phase from day 5 to day 14. The conditioned place preference (CPP) score, distance traveled, resting time, ambulatory count, and total activity count were measured for all animals. Rats that received morphine showed a significant increase in CPP score compared to those in the control group. Morphine treatment reduced the mRNA expression of GLT-1, BDNF, and CREB and increased that of NF-κB. However, melatonin treatment administered 30 min before morphine treatment attenuated morphine place preference and reversed GLT-1, BDNF, NF-κB, and CREB expression levels. In conclusion, the study results indicate, for the first time, the new potential targets of melatonin in modulating morphine-induced CPP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Badrah S Alghamdi
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad S Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang T, Zhu X, Yi H, Gu J, Liu S, Izenwasser S, Lemmon VP, Roy S, Hao S. Viral vector-mediated gene therapy for opioid use disorders. Exp Neurol 2021; 341:113710. [PMID: 33781732 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to opioids typically results in adverse consequences. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a disease of the CNS with behavioral, psychological, neurobiological, and medical manifestations. OUD induces a variety of changes of neurotransmitters/neuropeptides in the nervous system. Existing pharmacotherapy, such as opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) is the mainstay for the treatment of OUD, however, current opioid replacement therapy is far from effective for the majority of patients. Pharmacological therapy for OUD has been challenging for many reasons including debilitating side-effects. Therefore, developing an effective, non-pharmacological approach would be a critical advancement in improving and expanding treatment for OUD. Viral vector mediated gene therapy provides a potential new approach for treating opioid abused patients. Gene therapy can supply targeting gene products directly linked to the mechanisms of OUD to restore neurotransmitter and/or neuropeptides imbalance, and avoid the off-target effects of systemic administration of drugs. The most commonly used viral vectors in rodent studies of treatment of opioid-used disorder are based on recombinant adenovirus (AV), adeno-associated virus (AAV), lentiviral (LV) vectors, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors. In this review, we will focus on the recent progress of viral vector mediated gene therapy in OUD, especially morphine tolerance and withdrawal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Xun Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Hyun Yi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Shue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Sari Izenwasser
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Vance P Lemmon
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Shuanglin Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Potential Benefits of N-Acetylcysteine in Preventing Pregabalin-Induced Seeking-Like Behavior. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9040376. [PMID: 33805329 PMCID: PMC8066267 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9040376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance-use disorder is globally prevalent and responsible for numerous social and medical problems. Pregabalin (Lyrica), typically used to treat diabetic neuropathy, has recently emerged as a drug of abuse. Drug abuse is associated with several neuronal changes, including the downregulation of glutamate transporters such as glutamate transporter 1 and cystine/glutamate antiporter. We investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine, a glutamate transporter 1 and xCT upregulator, on pregabalin addiction using a conditioned place preference paradigm. Pregabalin (60 mg/kg) was found to induce conditioned place preference when compared to a vehicle. A 100 mg/kg dose of N-acetylcysteine was found to block pregabalin-seeking behaviors. These results support previous findings showing that glutamate transporters play an important role in pregabalin-induced seeking behaviors. N-acetylcysteine may represent a beneficial agent in preventing the abuse potential of pregabalin.
Collapse
|
10
|
Heinsbroek JA, De Vries TJ, Peters J. Glutamatergic Systems and Memory Mechanisms Underlying Opioid Addiction. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a039602. [PMID: 32341068 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is of critical importance for the synaptic and circuit mechanisms that underlie opioid addiction. Opioid memories formed over the course of repeated drug use and withdrawal can become powerful stimuli that trigger craving and relapse, and glutamatergic neurotransmission is essential for the formation and maintenance of these memories. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which glutamate, dopamine, and opioid signaling interact to mediate the primary rewarding effects of opioids, and cover the glutamatergic systems and circuits that mediate the expression, extinction, and reinstatement of opioid seeking over the course of opioid addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasper A Heinsbroek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Taco J De Vries
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Neuroscience, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, 1081HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yang L, Guo N, Fan W, Ni C, Huang M, Bai L, Zhang L, Zhang X, Wen Y, Li Y, Zhou X, Bai J. Thioredoxin-1 blocks methamphetamine-induced injury in brain through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mice. Neurotoxicology 2020; 78:163-169. [PMID: 32203791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) has been reported to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neuronal apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS) during the development of addiction. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a redox regulating protein and plays an important role in inhibiting apoptosis and protects neurons from cytotoxicity through ER and mitochondria-mediated pathways. Our previous study has been reported that Trx-1 protects mice from METH-induced rewarding effect. However, whether Trx-1 plays the role in resisting METH injury is still unclear. Here, we aim to investigate whether Trx-1 participates in the regulation of METH-induced CNS injury via ER stress and mitochondria-mediated pathways. Our study first repeated the conditioned place preference expression induced by METH. Then we detected and found that METH increased the expression of N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) and the level of glutamate (Glu) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), while Trx-1 overexpression suppressed the increases. We further examined ER stress-related proteins and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in the VTA and NAc, and found that METH increased the expressions of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Bax, as same time decreased the expressions of procaspase12, Bcl-2, and procaspase3, while Trx-1 overexpression blocked these changes. These results indicate that Trx-1 blocks METH-induced injury by suppressing ER stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the VTA and NAc via targeting glutamatergic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Yang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China; Narcotics Control School, Yunnan Police College, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Ningning Guo
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Wei Fan
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Chunmin Ni
- Narcotics Control School, Yunnan Police College, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Mengbing Huang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Liping Bai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yunbo Wen
- Narcotics Control School, Yunnan Police College, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Ye Li
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Zhou
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Althobaiti YS, Almalki AH. Effects of environmental enrichment on reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference. Behav Brain Res 2020; 379:112372. [PMID: 31759048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The influence of environmental enrichment (EE) on reinstatement to methamphetamine (METH) seeking in rat model was investigated. METHODS Wistar rats were divided to receive saline (1 ml/kg) or METH (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 8 days during the conditioning training in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, which is one of the most popular models to study the motivational effects of drugs and non-drug treatments in experimental animals. Rats were then kept in either isolated (IE) or enriched environment (EE) for 30 days during the extinction training. Animals were finally examined for reinstatement provoked by i.p. injections of METH. RESULTS Saline injections during the conditioning phase did not change CPP during reinstatement in animals of IE or EE control groups. METH injections reinstated place preference in the IE animal group. Interestingly, EE significantly blocked this reinstatement effects of METH. CONCLUSION These results show the important role of social interactions and positive environment conditions in preventing reinstatement to drug use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif, Saudi Arabia; Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Atiah H Almalki
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia; Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical chemistry, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Brown CN, Fultz EK, Ferdousian S, Rogers S, Lustig E, Page A, Shahin JR, Flaherty DM, Von Jonquieres G, Bryant CD, Kippin TE, Szumlinski KK. Transgenic Analyses of Homer2 Function Within Nucleus Accumbens Subregions in the Regulation of Methamphetamine Reward and Reinforcement in Mice. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:11. [PMID: 32116834 PMCID: PMC7013000 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Problems associated with the abuse of amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine (MA), pose serious health and socioeconomic issues world-wide. While it is well-established that MA's psychopharmacological effects involve interactions with monoamine neurotransmission, accumulating evidence from animal models implicates dysregulated glutamate in MA addiction vulnerability and use disorder. Recently, we discovered an association between genetic vulnerability to MA-taking and increased expression of the glutamate receptor scaffolding protein Homer2 within both the shell and core subregions of the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and demonstrated a necessary role for Homer2 within the shell subregion in MA reward and reinforcement in mice. This report extends our earlier work by interrogating the functional relevance of Homer2 within the NAC core for the conditioned rewarding and reinforcing properties of MA. C57BL/6J mice with a virus-mediated knockdown of Homer2b expression within the NAC core were first tested for the development and expression of a MA-induced conditioned place-preference/CPP (four pairings of 2 mg/kg MA) and then were trained to self-administer oral MA under operant-conditioning procedures (5-80 mg/L). Homer2b knockdown in the NAC core augmented a MA-CPP and shifted the dose-response function for MA-reinforced responding, above control levels. To determine whether Homer2b within NAC subregions played an active role in regulating MA reward and reinforcement, we characterized the MA phenotype of constitutive Homer2 knockout (KO) mice and then assayed the effects of virus-mediated overexpression of Homer2b within the NAC shell and core of wild-type and KO mice. In line with the results of NAC core knockdown, Homer2 deletion potentiated MA-induced CPP, MA-reinforced responding and intake, as well as both cue- and MA-primed reinstatement of MA-seeking following extinction. However, there was no effect of Homer2b overexpression within the NAC core or the shell on the KO phenotype. These data provide new evidence indicating a globally suppressive role for Homer2 in MA-seeking and MA-taking but argue against specific NAC subregions as the neural loci through which Homer2 actively regulates MA addiction-related behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea N Brown
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Elissa K Fultz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Sami Ferdousian
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Sarina Rogers
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Elijah Lustig
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Ariana Page
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - John R Shahin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Daniel M Flaherty
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Georg Von Jonquieres
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tod E Kippin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.,Center for Collaborative Biotechnology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Karen K Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Arezoomandan R, Aliaghaei A, Khodagholi F, Haghparast A. Minocycline induces the expression of intra-accumbal glutamate transporter-1 in the morphine-dependent rats. Asian J Psychiatr 2019; 46:70-73. [PMID: 31630007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glial glutamate transporters (GLT-1) is responsible for glutamate homeostasis. GLT-1 expression and glutamate uptake can be affected by addictive drugs and can be used as a target in addiction pharmacotherapy. It has been shown that minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, can upregulate the expression of GLT-1. In the present study, in morphine-dependent rats, the effect of minocycline on expression of GLT-1 in nucleus accumbens was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The expression of GLT-1 significantly increased in minocycline treated animals. In line with other studies, our findings showed that restoring GLT-1 expression with minocycline might be considered as a potential target for correcting pre-clinical and clinical manifestations of drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Arezoomandan
- Addiction Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Aliaghaei
- Neuroscience Lab, Biology and Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Khodagholi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Althobaiti YS, Almalki A, Alsaab H, Alsanie W, Gaber A, Alhadidi Q, Hardy AMG, Nasr A, Alzahrani O, Stary CM, Shah ZA. Pregabalin: Potential for Addiction and a Possible Glutamatergic Mechanism. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15136. [PMID: 31641170 PMCID: PMC6805907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51556-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction remains a prevalent and fatal disease worldwide that carries significant social and economic impacts. Recent reports suggest illicit pregabalin (Lyrica) use may be increasing among youth, however the addictive potential of pregabalin has not been well established. Drug seeking behavior and chronic drug use are associated with deficits in glutamate clearance and activation of postsynaptic glutamatergic receptors. In the current study, we investigated the abuse potential of pregabalin using conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Different doses of pregabalin (30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg) were used to assess the seeking behavior in mice. Glutamate homeostasis is maintained by glutamate transporter type-1 (GLT-1), which plays a vital role in clearing the released glutamate from synapses and drug seeking behavior. Therefore, we investigated the role of glutamate in pregabalin-seeking behavior with ceftriaxone (CEF), a potent GLT-1 upregulator. Mice treated with pregabalin 60 and 90 mg/kg doses demonstrated drug seeking-like behavior, which was significantly blocked by CEF pretreatment. These results suggest that pregabalin-induced CPP was successfully modulated by CEF which could serve as a lead compound for developing treatment for pregabalin abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif, Saudi Arabia. .,Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Atiah Almalki
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.,Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical chemistry, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem Alsaab
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.,Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Walaa Alsanie
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.,Taif University, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Gaber
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Taif, Saudi Arabia.,Taif University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Qasim Alhadidi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Ana Maria Gregio Hardy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Abdulrahman Nasr
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Alzahrani
- Taif University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Creed M Stary
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Zahoor A Shah
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Madayag AC, Gomez D, Anderson EM, Ingebretson AE, Thomas MJ, Hearing MC. Cell-type and region-specific nucleus accumbens AMPAR plasticity associated with morphine reward, reinstatement, and spontaneous withdrawal. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:2311-2324. [PMID: 31201496 PMCID: PMC6698404 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01903-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite evidence that morphine-related pathologies reflect adaptations in NAc glutamate signaling, substantial gaps in basic information remain. The current study examines the impact of non-contingent acute, repeated, and withdrawal-inducing morphine dosing regimens on glutamate transmission in D1- or D2-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) and core (NAcC) sub-regions in hopes of identifying excitatory plasticity that may contribute to unique facets of opioid addiction-related behavior. Following an acute morphine injection (10 mg/kg), average miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) amplitude mediated by AMPA-type glutamate receptors was increased at D1-MSNs in the both the NAcShl and NAcC, whereas only the frequency of events was elevated at D2-MSNs in the NAcSh. In contrast, spontaneous somatic withdrawal induced by escalating dose of repeated morphine twice per day (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 mg/kg) enhanced mEPSC frequency specifically at D2-MSNs in the NAcSh. Similar to previous findings, excitatory drive was elevated at NAcSh D1-MSNs after 10-14 days home cage abstinence. Following abstinence, an acute drug re-exposure produced a rapid and enduring endocytosis of GluA2-containing AMPARs at D1-MSNs in the shell, that when blocked by an intra-NAc shell infusion of the Tat-GluA23Y peptide, increased reinstatement of morphine place preference-a phenomenon distinctly different than effects previously found with cocaine. The present study is the first to directly identify unique circuit specific adaptations in NAc glutamate synaptic transmission associated with morphine-related acute reward and somatic withdrawal as well as post-abstinence short-term plasticity. Moreover, while differing classes of abused drugs (i.e., psychostimulants and opioids) produce seemingly similar bidirectional plasticity in the NAc following drug re-exposure, our findings indicate this plasticity has distinct behavioral consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aric C Madayag
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Devan Gomez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Eden M Anderson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
| | - Anna E Ingebretson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Mark J Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Matthew C Hearing
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Althobaiti YS. Role of venlafaxine in relapse to methamphetamine seeking. Potential treatment option for drug dependence. Saudi Med J 2019; 40:339-346. [PMID: 30957126 PMCID: PMC6506650 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2019.4.23718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of venlafaxine (VEN) on the relapse of methamphetamine (METH)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. METHODS This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between May 2017 and October 2018. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were used in this study. Rats were divided to receive either METH or saline during the conditioning phase. Following the acquisition of METH-induced CPP, the animals were randomly divided to receive saline or VEN for 21 days instead of METH during the extinction training. The reinstatement was initiated by re-exposure to a single dose of METH to test any anti-reinstatement effects of VEN. Results: Two-way repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (time × chamber) was used to analyze time spent in conditioning chambers, while distance traveled was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Saline or VEN, when administered alone, did not affect CPP or locomotor activity results. A priming intraperitoneal injection of METH reinstated CPP in the animals treated with saline during the extinction phase. Interestingly, VEN treatment blocked METH-induced CPP. CONCLUSION Venlafaxine effects on the reinstatement of METH-induced CPP are not likely due to nonspecific effects on locomotor activity. This beneficial effect of VEN on relapse to METH-induced CPP could be due to its antidepressant effects. Venlafaxine can thus be a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of relapse to METH-seeking behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Siemsen BM, Reichel CM, Leong KC, Garcia-Keller C, Gipson CD, Spencer S, McFaddin JA, Hooker KN, Kalivas PW, Scofield MD. Effects of Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Extinction on Astrocyte Structure and Function in the Nucleus Accumbens Core. Neuroscience 2019; 406:528-541. [PMID: 30926546 PMCID: PMC6545487 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes provide support for neurons, regulate metabolic processes, and influence neuronal communication in a variety of ways, including through the homeostatic regulation of glutamate. Following 2-h cocaine or methamphetamine self-administration (SA) and extinction, rodents display decreased levels of basal glutamate in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore), which transitions to elevated glutamate levels during drug seeking. We hypothesized that, like cocaine, this glutamate 'overflow' during methamphetamine seeking arises via decreased expression of the astroglial glutamate transporter GLT-1, and withdrawal of perisynaptic astroglial processes (PAPs) from synapses. As expected, methamphetamine self-administration and extinction decreased the level of contact made by PAPs in the NAcore, yet did not impact glutamate uptake, GLT-1 expression, or the general structural characteristics of astrocytes. Interestingly, systemic administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a drug that both upregulates GLT-1 and promotes glial-glutamate release, reduced cued methamphetamine seeking. In order to test the impact of astrocyte activation and the induction of glial glutamate release within the NAcore, we employed astrocyte-specific expression of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). We show here that acute activation of Gq-coupled DREADDs in this region inhibited cued methamphetamine seeking. Taken together, these data indicate that cued methamphetamine seeking following two-hour SA is not mediated by deficient glutamate clearance in the NAcore, yet can be inhibited by engaging NAcore astrocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B M Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - C M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - K C Leong
- Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - C Garcia-Keller
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - C D Gipson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - S Spencer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J A McFaddin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - K N Hooker
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - P W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M D Scofield
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hakami AY, Alshehri FS, Sari Y. β-lactams modulate astroglial glutamate transporters and attenuate dependence to CP 55,940, a CB1 receptor agonist, in rat model. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:709-718. [PMID: 30257184 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies on cannabinoids have reported contradictory findings, showing both aversion and rewarding outcomes in conditioned place preference (CPP). Various possibilities have been suggested to explain the aversive properties of cannabinoids, including the pharmacokinetics profile and dose selection. In this study, we have established a CPP method to investigate the effects of modulating astroglial glutamate transporters in cannabinoid dependence using a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) agonist, CP 55,940 (CP). Previous reports using CPP paradigm demonstrated the involvement of glutamatergic system in seeking behavior of several drugs of abuse such as cocaine, heroin and nicotine. Glutamate homeostasis is maintained by several astroglial glutamate transporters, such as glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT) and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST). In this study, we investigated the effects of Ampicillin/Sulbactam, β-lactam compounds known to upregulate GLT-1 and xCT, on cannabinoid seeking behavior using CP. We found first that one prime dose of CP induced CP reinstatement; this effect was associated, in part, with significant downregulation of xCT expression in the nucleus accumbens, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Moreover, GLT-1 expression was downregulated in the amygdala. Importantly, Ampicillin/Sulbactam treatment during the extinction phase attenuated CP-induced reinstatement and restored the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. These findings suggest that β-lactams may play a potential therapeutic role in attenuating dependence to cannabinoids, in part, through upregulation of GLT-1 and xCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alqassem Y Hakami
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Fahad S Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Erickson EK, Grantham EK, Warden AS, Harris RA. Neuroimmune signaling in alcohol use disorder. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 177:34-60. [PMID: 30590091 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread disease with limited treatment options. Targeting the neuroimmune system is a new avenue for developing or repurposing effective pharmacotherapies. Alcohol modulates innate immune signaling in different cell types in the brain by altering gene expression and the molecular pathways that regulate neuroinflammation. Chronic alcohol abuse may cause an imbalance in neuroimmune function, resulting in prolonged perturbations in brain function. Likewise, manipulating the neuroimmune system may change alcohol-related behaviors. Psychiatric disorders that are comorbid with AUD, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and other substance use disorders, may also have underlying neuroimmune mechanisms; current evidence suggests that convergent immune pathways may be involved in AUD and in these comorbid disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of major neuroimmune cell-types and pathways involved in mediating alcohol behaviors, discuss potential mechanisms of alcohol-induced neuroimmune activation, and present recent clinical evidence for candidate immune-related drugs to treat AUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Erickson
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA.
| | - Emily K Grantham
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
| | - Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
| | - R A Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Althobaiti YS, Alshehri FS, Hakami AY, Hammad AM, Sari Y. Effects of Clavulanic Acid Treatment on Reinstatement to Methamphetamine, Glial Glutamate Transporters, and mGluR 2/3 Expression in P Rats Exposed to Ethanol. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 67:1-15. [PMID: 30471010 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1194-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Evidence demonstrated that the glutamatergic system is implicated in mediating relapse to several drugs of abuse, including methamphetamine (METH). Glutamate homeostasis is maintained by a number of glutamate transporters, such as glutamate transporter type 1 (GLT-1), cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT), and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST). In addition, group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR2/3) were found to be implicated in relapse-seeking behavior. Ample evidence showed that β-lactam antibiotics are effective in upregulating GLT-1 and xCT expression, thus improving glutamate homeostasis and attenuating relapse to drugs of abuse. In this study, we investigated the reinstatement of METH using conditioned place preference (CPP) in male alcohol-preferring (P) rats exposed to home-cage free choice ethanol drinking. Here, we tested the effect of clavulanic acid (CA), a β-lactam, on the reinstatement of METH-seeking and ethanol drinking. In addition, we examined the expression of GLT-1, xCT, and GLAST as well as metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2/3) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, NAc core, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). A priming i.p. injection of METH reinstated preference in METH-paired chamber following extinction. Chronic exposure to ethanol decreased the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in the NAc shell, but not in the NAc core or dmPFC. CA treatment blocked the reinstatement of METH-seeking, decreased ethanol intake, and restored the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in the NAc shell. In addition, the expression of mGluR2/3 was increased by CA treatment in the NAc shell and dmPFC. These findings suggest that these glutamate transporters and mGluR2/3 might be potential therapeutic targets for the attenuation of reinstatement to METH-seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf S Althobaiti
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, HEB 282G, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.,College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad S Alshehri
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, HEB 282G, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Alqassem Y Hakami
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, HEB 282G, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Alaa M Hammad
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, HEB 282G, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, HEB 282G, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wu Q, Qi C, Long J, Liao Y, Wang X, Xie A, Liu J, Hao W, Tang Y, Yang B, Liu T, Tang J. Metabolites Alterations in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Methamphetamine Users in Abstinence: A 1H MRS Study. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:478. [PMID: 30420814 PMCID: PMC6215956 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) contains various neurotransmitter systems and plays an important role in drug use. Broad body of literature on how methamphetamine (MA) affects the structure and metabolism in the animal's mPFC is emerging, while the effects on metabolites of mPFC among human is still unclear. In this study, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) was used to measure metabolites of mPFC in methamphetamine dependent subjects. Methods: Sixty-one subjects with a history of MA dependence (fulfiled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria) and 65 drug-naïve control subjects (age19-45) completed 1H MRS scans using 3.0T Siemens MRI scanner. Single voxel spectra were acquired from the mPFC bilaterally using a point resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS). The 1H MRS data were automatically fit with linear combination model for quantification of metabolite levels of n-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), myo-inositol (mI), glycerophosphocholine plus phosphocholine(GPC+PC), phosphocreatine plus creatine (PCr+Cr), and glutamate (Glu). Metabolite levels were reported as ratios to PCr+Cr. Results: The MA group showed a significant reduction in NAA/PCr+Cr ratio and elevation in Glu/PCr+Cr ratio and mI/PCr+Cr ratio, compared with healthy control. No significant correlation was found between metabolite ratios and MA use variables. Conclusions: MA use is associated with a significant increased Glu/PCr+Cr ratio, mI/PCr+Cr ratio and reduced NAA/PCr+Cr ratio in the mPFC of MA dependence subjects. These findings suggest that Glu may play a key role in MA induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Chang Qi
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Yanhui Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Xuyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - An Xie
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Yiyuan Tang
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Baozhu Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Tieqiao Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Jinsong Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Chinese National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Alshehri FS, Hakami AY, Althobaiti YS, Sari Y. Effects of ceftriaxone on hydrocodone seeking behavior and glial glutamate transporters in P rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:368-376. [PMID: 29604365 PMCID: PMC5988953 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Hydrocodone (HYD) is one of the most widely prescribed opioid analgesic drugs. Several neurotransmitters are involved in opioids relapse. Among these neurotransmitters, glutamate is suggested to be involved in opioid dependence and relapse. Glutamate is regulated by several glutamate transporters, including glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) and cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT). In this study, we investigated the effects of ceftriaxone (CEF) (200 mg/kg, i.p.), known to upregulate GLT-1 and xCT, on reinstatement to HYD (5 mg/kg, i.p.) using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Animals were divided into three groups: 1) saline-saline group (SAL-SAL); 2) HYD-SAL group; and 3) HYD-CEF group. The CPP was conducted as follows: habituation phase, conditioning phase with HYD (i.p.) injections every other day for four sessions, extinction phase with CEF (i.p.) injections every other day for four sessions, and reinstatement phase with one priming dose of HYD. Time spent in the HYD-paired chamber after conditioning training was increased as compared to pre-conditioning. There was an increase in time spent in the HYD-paired chamber with one priming dose of HYD in the reinstatement test. HYD exposure downregulated xCT expression in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus, but no effects were observed in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Importantly, CEF treatment attenuated the reinstatement effect of HYD and normalized xCT expression in the affected brain regions. These findings demonstrate that the attenuating effect of HYD reinstatement with CEF might be mediated through xCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahad S Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Alqassem Y Hakami
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bachtell RK, Jones JD, Heinzerling KG, Beardsley PM, Comer SD. Glial and neuroinflammatory targets for treating substance use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 180:156-170. [PMID: 28892721 PMCID: PMC5790191 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The plenary session at the 2016 Behavior, Biology and Chemistry: Translational Research in Addiction Conference focused on glia as potential players in the development, persistence and treatment of substance use disorders. Glia partake in various functions that are important for healthy brain activity. Drugs of abuse alter glial cell activity producing several perturbations in brain function that are thought to contribute to behavioral changes associated with substance use disorders. Consequently, drug-induced changes in glia-driven processes in the brain represent potential targets for pharmacotherapeutics treating substance use disorders. METHODS Four speakers presented preclinical and clinical research illustrating the effects that glial modulators have on abuse-related behavioral effects of psychostimulants and opioids. This review highlights some of these findings and expands its focus to include other research focused on drug-induced glia abnormalities and glia-focused treatment approaches in substance use disorders. RESULTS Preclinical findings show that drugs of abuse induce neuroinflammatory signals and disrupt glutamate homeostasis through their interaction with microglia and astrocytes. Preclinical and clinical studies testing the effects of glial modulators show general effectiveness in reducing behaviors associated with substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of drug-induced glial activity continues to emerge as an intriguing target for substance use disorder treatments. Clinical investigations of glial modulators have yielded promising results on substance use measures and indicate that they are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, results have not been entirely positive and more questions remain for continued exploration in the development and testing of glial-directed treatments for substance use disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K. Bachtell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Center for Neuroscience, UCB 345, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Jermaine D. Jones
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute and College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Keith G. Heinzerling
- Department of Family Medicine and Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick M. Beardsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 N. 12th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Sandra D. Comer
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute and College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hammad AM, Alasmari F, Althobaiti YS, Sari Y. Modulatory effects of Ampicillin/Sulbactam on glial glutamate transporters and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 as well as reinstatement to cocaine-seeking behavior. Behav Brain Res 2017. [PMID: 28624317 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glutamatergic system has an important role in cocaine-seeking behavior. Studies have reported that chronic exposure to cocaine induces downregulation of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) and cystine/glutamate exchanger (xCT) in the central reward brain regions. Ceftriaxone, a β-lactam antibiotic, restored GLT-1 expression and consequently reduced cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. In this study, we investigated the reinstatement to cocaine (20mg/kg, i.p.) seeking behavior using a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm in male alcohol-preferring (P) rats. In addition, we investigated the effects of Ampicillin/Sulbactam (AMP/SUL) (200mg/kg, i.p.), a β-lactam antibiotic, on cocaine-induced reinstatement. We also investigated the effects of AMP/SUL on the expression of glial glutamate transporters and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). We found that AMP/SUL treatment reduced cocaine-triggered reinstatement. This effect was associated with a decrease in locomotor activity. Moreover, GLT-1 and xCT were downregulated in the NAc core and shell, but not in the dmPFC, following cocaine-primed reinstatement. However, cocaine exposure increased the expression of mGluR1 in the NAc core, but not in the NAc shell or dmPFC. Importantly, AMP/SUL treatment normalized GLT-1 and xCT expression in the NAc core and shell; however, the drug normalized mGluR1 expression in the NAc core only. Additionally, AMP/SUL increased the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in the dmPFC as compared to the water naïve group. These findings demonstrated that glial glutamate transporters and mGluR1 in the mesocorticolimbic area could be potential therapeutic targets for the attenuation of reinstatement to cocaine-seeking behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Hammad
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Fawaz Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Spencer S, Kalivas PW. Glutamate Transport: A New Bench to Bedside Mechanism for Treating Drug Abuse. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 20:797-812. [PMID: 28605494 PMCID: PMC5632313 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction has often been described as a "hijacking" of the brain circuits involved in learning and memory. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its contribution to synaptic plasticity and learning processes is well established in animal models. Likewise, over the past 20 years the addiction field has ascribed a critical role for glutamatergic transmission in the development of addiction. Chronic drug use produces enduring neuroadaptations in corticostriatal projections that are believed to contribute to a maladaptive deficit in inhibitory control over behavior. Much of this research focuses on the role played by ionotropic glutamate receptors directly involved in long-term potentiation and depression or metabotropic receptors indirectly modulating synaptic plasticity. Importantly, the balance between glutamate release and clearance tightly regulates the patterned activation of these glutamate receptors, emphasizing an important role for glutamate transporters in maintaining extracellular glutamate levels. Five excitatory amino acid transporters participate in active glutamate reuptake. Recent evidence suggests that these glutamate transporters can be modulated by chronic drug use at a variety of levels. In this review, we synopsize the evidence and mechanisms associated with drug-induced dysregulation of glutamate transport. We then summarize the preclinical and clinical data suggesting that glutamate transporters offer an effective target for the treatment of drug addiction. In particular, we focus on the role that altered glutamate transporters have in causing drug cues and contexts to develop an intrusive quality that guides maladaptive drug seeking behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sade Spencer
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Correspondence: Sade Spencer, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB, 403- MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425 ()
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hammad AM, Althobaiti YS, Das SC, Sari Y. Effects of repeated cocaine exposure and withdrawal on voluntary ethanol drinking, and the expression of glial glutamate transporters in mesocorticolimbic system of P rats. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 82:58-65. [PMID: 28442364 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic neurotransmission within the brain's reward circuits plays a major role in the reinforcing properties of both ethanol and cocaine. Glutamate homeostasis is regulated by several glutamate transporters, including glutamate transporter type 1 (GLT-1), cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT), and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST). Cocaine exposure has been shown to induce a dysregulation in glutamate homeostasis and a decrease in the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In this study, alcohol preferring (P) rats were exposed to free-choice of ethanol (15% and 30%) and/or water for five weeks. On Week 6, rats were administered (i.p.) cocaine (10 and 20mg/kg) or saline for 12 consecutive days. This study tested two groups of rats: the first group was euthanized after seven days of repeated cocaine i.p. injection, and the second group was deprived from cocaine for five days and euthanized at Day 5 after cocaine withdrawal. Only repeated cocaine (20mg/kg, i.p.) exposure decreased ethanol intake from Day 3 through Day 8. Co-exposure of cocaine and ethanol decreased the relative mRNA expression and the expression of GLT-1 in the NAc but not in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Importantly, co-exposure of cocaine and ethanol decreased relative expression of xCT in the NAc but not in the mPFC. Our findings demonstrated that chronic cocaine exposure affects ethanol intake; and ethanol and cocaine co-abuse alters the expression of glial glutamate transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Hammad
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Yusuf S Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Sujan C Das
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wan L, Bi J, Li J, Zuo Z. Glutamate transporter type 3 participates in maintaining morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Neuroscience 2017; 344:67-73. [PMID: 28049029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate transporters (EAAT) have been implicated in the drug addiction behavior. We determined whether EAAT type 3 (EAAT3) played a role in morphine addiction. Six- to eight-week-old EAAT3 knockout (EAAT3-/-) mice and their wild-type littermates received 3 intraperitoneal injections of 10mg/kg morphine, each on an alternative day, to induce conditioned place preference (CPP). Two days after the place preference returned to baseline, mice received 2.5mg/kg morphine to induce reinstatement. Some mice received intraperitoneal injection of 4mg/kg riluzole, an EAAT activator, 30min before morphine or saline injection. Hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area were harvested for Western analysis 24h after the last dose of morphine was injected. Morphine induced CPP in wild-type and EAAT3-/- mice. Gender is not a statistically significant factor to influence this behavior. This conditioned behavior extinguished after morphine administration was stopped for 8-9days in wild-type mice, while this extinction occurred 6days after discontinuation of morphine injection in EAAT3-/- mice. A small dose of morphine similarly reinstated the conditioned behavior in the wild-type and EAAT3-/- mice. Riluzole abolished morphine-induced CPP during the initial place preference. Morphine increased EAAT3 expression in the plasma membrane of medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area but did not affect EAAT3 expression in the hippocampus. These results suggest that EAAT3 delays the extinction of morphine-induced CPP. EAAT activation may prevent the formation of morphine-induced CPP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Wan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiangjiang Bi
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Zhiyi Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Roberts-Wolfe DJ, Kalivas PW. Glutamate Transporter GLT-1 as a Therapeutic Target for Substance Use Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2016; 14:745-56. [PMID: 26022265 DOI: 10.2174/1871527314666150529144655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of new treatments for substance use disorders requires identification of targetable molecular mechanisms. Pathology in glutamatergic neurotransmission system in brain reward circuitry has been implicated in relapse to multiple classes of drugs. Glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) crucially regulates glutamatergic signaling by removing excess glutamate from the extrasynaptic space. The purpose of this review is to highlight the effects of addictive drug use on GLT-1 and glutamate uptake, and using GLT-1 as a target in addiction pharmacotherapy. Cocaine, opioids, ethanol, nicotine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids each affect GLT-1 expression and glutamate uptake, and restoring GLT-1 expression with N-acetylcysteine or ceftriaxone shows promise in correcting pre-clinical and clinical manifestations of drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Roberts-Wolfe
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of So Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB403, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Reversal of morphine-induced cell-type-specific synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell blocks reinstatement. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:757-62. [PMID: 26739562 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1519248113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-evoked plasticity at excitatory synapses on medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drives behavioral adaptations in addiction. MSNs expressing dopamine D1 (D1R-MSN) vs. D2 receptors (D2R-MSN) can exert antagonistic effects in drug-related behaviors, and display distinct alterations in glutamate signaling following repeated exposure to psychostimulants; however, little is known of cell-type-specific plasticity induced by opiates. Here, we find that repeated morphine potentiates excitatory transmission and increases GluA2-lacking AMPA receptor expression in D1R-MSNs, while reducing signaling in D2-MSNs following 10-14 d of forced abstinence. In vivo reversal of this pathophysiology with optogenetic stimulation of infralimbic cortex-accumbens shell (ILC-NAc shell) inputs or treatment with the antibiotic, ceftriaxone, blocked reinstatement of morphine-evoked conditioned place preference. These findings confirm the presence of overlapping and distinct plasticity produced by classes of abused drugs within subpopulations of MSNs that may provide targetable molecular mechanisms for future pharmacotherapies.
Collapse
|
31
|
Koyama Y. Functional alterations of astrocytes in mental disorders: pharmacological significance as a drug target. Front Cell Neurosci 2015. [PMID: 26217185 PMCID: PMC4491615 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play an essential role in supporting brain functions in physiological and pathological states. Modulation of their pathophysiological responses have beneficial actions on nerve tissue injured by brain insults and neurodegenerative diseases, therefore astrocytes are recognized as promising targets for neuroprotective drugs. Recent investigations have identified several astrocytic mechanisms for modulating synaptic transmission and neural plasticity. These include altered expression of transporters for neurotransmitters, release of gliotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, and intercellular communication through gap junctions. Investigation of patients with mental disorders shows morphological and functional alterations in astrocytes. According to these observations, manipulation of astrocytic function by gene mutation and pharmacological tools reproduce mental disorder-like behavior in experimental animals. Some drugs clinically used for mental disorders affect astrocyte function. As experimental evidence shows their role in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, astrocytes have gained much attention as drug targets for mental disorders. In this paper, I review functional alterations of astrocytes in several mental disorders including schizophrenia, mood disorder, drug dependence, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The pharmacological significance of astrocytes in mental disorders is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Koyama
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Osaka Ohtani University Tondabayashi, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ceftriaxone attenuates acquisition and facilitates extinction of cocaine-induced suppression of saccharin intake in C57BL/6J mice. Physiol Behav 2015; 149:174-80. [PMID: 26066719 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence implicates glutamate homeostasis in a number of behaviors observed in addiction such as acquisition of drug taking, motivation, and reinstatement. To date, however, the role of glutamate homeostasis in the avoidance of natural rewards due to exposure to drugs of abuse has received little attention. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the beta-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone, which has been shown to normalize disrupted glutamate homeostasis associated with exposure to drugs of abuse, in cocaine-induced suppression of saccharin intake in C57BL/6J mice. Briefly, C57BL/6J mice received daily injections of either 200mg/kg ceftriaxone or saline. Mice were then given access to 0.15% saccharin for 1h and immediately injected intraperitoneally with either saline or 30 mg/kg cocaine; taste-drug pairings occurred every 24h for 5 trials followed by a final CS only trial. One week following taste-drug pairings, extinction was evaluated in a series of one- and two-bottle saccharin intake tests. Individual differences in cocaine-induced suppression were observed (i.e., low and high suppressors) with differential effects of ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone delayed suppression of saccharin intake in high suppressors but prevented suppression in low suppressors. In addition, ceftriaxone history facilitated extinction in the high suppressors. These data suggest that changes in glutamate homeostasis may be involved in the formation and expression of cocaine-induced suppression of saccharin intake in mice.
Collapse
|
33
|
Szigethy E, Schwartz M, Drossman D. Narcotic bowel syndrome and opioid-induced constipation. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2014; 16:410. [PMID: 25183577 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-014-0410-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Prescription opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain has reached epidemic levels in the USA. With this increased use is the recognition of serious opioid-related gastrointestinal complications such as narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS) and opioid-induced constipation (OIC). NBS consists of a paradoxical worsening of abdominal pain with escalating doses of opioids and is likely mediated by the central nervous system. Therapy requires an intensive multidisciplinary approach to detoxification. OIC is the most common gastrointestinal side effect of opioids. Several novel therapeutics are available to treat OIC that fails to respond to laxative therapy. This review will summarize recent findings on the pathophysiology and treatment approaches to NBS and OIC with a focus on controversies about diagnosis and intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Szigethy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Medical Arts Building, 3708 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Underhill SM, Wheeler DS, Li M, Watts SD, Ingram SL, Amara SG. Amphetamine modulates excitatory neurotransmission through endocytosis of the glutamate transporter EAAT3 in dopamine neurons. Neuron 2014; 83:404-416. [PMID: 25033183 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Amphetamines modify the brain and alter behavior through mechanisms generally attributed to their ability to regulate extracellular dopamine concentrations. However, the actions of amphetamine are also linked to adaptations in glutamatergic signaling. We report here that when amphetamine enters dopamine neurons through the dopamine transporter, it stimulates endocytosis of an excitatory amino acid transporter, EAAT3, in dopamine neurons. Consistent with this decrease in surface EAAT3, amphetamine potentiates excitatory synaptic responses in dopamine neurons. We also show that the process of internalization is dynamin- and Rho-mediated and requires a unique sequence in the cytosolic C terminus of EAAT3. Introduction of a peptide based on this motif into dopamine neurons blocks the effects of amphetamine on EAAT3 internalization and its action on excitatory responses. These data indicate that the internalization of EAAT3 triggered by amphetamine increases glutamatergic signaling and thus contributes to the effects of amphetamine on neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Underhill
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, NIH/NIMH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - David S Wheeler
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Minghua Li
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Spencer D Watts
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Susan G Amara
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, NIH/NIMH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Inhibition of vesicular glutamate transporters contributes to attenuate methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in rats. Behav Brain Res 2014; 267:1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
36
|
Medrano MC, Gerrikagoitia I, Martínez-Millán L, Mendiguren A, Pineda J. Functional and morphological characterization of glutamate transporters in the rat locus coeruleus. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 169:1781-94. [PMID: 23638698 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) in the CNS contribute to the clearance of glutamate released during neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to explore the role of EAATs in the regulation of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons by glutamate. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We measured the effect of different EAAT subtype inhibitors/enhancers on glutamate- and KCl-induced activation of LC neurons in rat slices. EAAT2-3 expression in the LC was also characterized by immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS The EAAT2-5 inhibitor DL-threo-β-benzyloxaspartic acid (100 μM), but not the EAAT2, 4, 5 inhibitor L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (100 μM) or the EAAT2 inhibitor dihydrokainic acid (DHK; 100 μM), enhanced the glutamate- and KCl-induced activation of the firing rate of LC neurons. These effects were blocked by ionotropic, but not metabotrobic, glutamate receptor antagonists. DHK (100 μM) was the only EAAT inhibitor that increased the spontaneous firing rate of LC cells, an effect that was due to inhibition of EAAT2 and subsequent AMPA receptor activation. Chronic treatment with ceftriaxone (200 mg·kg(-1) i.p., once daily, 7 days), an EAAT2 expression enhancer, increased the actions of glutamate and DHK, suggesting a functional impact of EAAT2 up-regulation on the glutamatergic system. Immuhistochemical data revealed the presence of EAAT2 and EAAT3 surrounding noradrenergic neurons and EAAT2 on glial cells in the LC. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results remark the importance of EAAT2 and EAAT3 in the regulation of rat LC by glutamate. Neuronal EAAT3 would be responsible for terminating the action of synaptically released glutamate, whereas glial EAAT2 would regulate tonic glutamate concentrations in this nucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Medrano
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/ EHU), Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Niciu MJ, Henter ID, Sanacora G, Zarate CA. Glial abnormalities in substance use disorders and depression: does shared glutamatergic dysfunction contribute to comorbidity? World J Biol Psychiatry 2014; 15:2-16. [PMID: 24024876 PMCID: PMC4180366 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2013.829585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preclinical and clinical research in neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly mood and substance use disorders, have historically focused on neurons; however, glial cells-astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes - also play key roles in these disorders. METHODS Peer-reviewed PubMed/Medline articles published through December 2012 were identified using the following keyword combinations: glia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes/glia, microglia, substance use, substance abuse, substance dependence, alcohol, opiate, opioid, cocaine, psychostimulants, stimulants, and glutamate. RESULTS Depressive and substance use disorders are highly comorbid, suggesting a common or overlapping aetiology and pathophysiology. Reduced astrocyte cell number occurs in both disorders. Altered glutamate neurotransmission and metabolism - specifically changes in the levels/activity of transporters, receptors, and synaptic proteins potentially related to synaptic physiology - appear to be salient features of both disorders. Glial cell pathology may also underlie the pathophysiology of both disorders via impaired astrocytic production of neurotrophic factors. Microglial/neuroinflammatory pathology is also evident in both depressive and substance use disorders. Finally, oligodendrocyte impairment decreases myelination and impairs expression of myelin-related genes in both substance use and depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS Glial-mediated glutamatergic dysfunction is a common neuropathological pathway in both substance use and depression. Therefore, glutamatergic neuromodulation is a rational drug target in this comorbidity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Niciu
- Yale University Department of Psychiatry/Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), New Haven, CT, USA,Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ioline D. Henter
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Yale University Department of Psychiatry/Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carlos A. Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kufahl PR, Hood LE, Nemirovsky NE, Barabas P, Halstengard C, Villa A, Moore E, Watterson LR, Olive MF. Positive Allosteric Modulation of mGluR5 Accelerates Extinction Learning but Not Relearning Following Methamphetamine Self-Administration. Front Pharmacol 2012. [PMID: 23189054 PMCID: PMC3506114 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have implicated glutamate neurotransmission as an important substrate for the extinction of conditioned behaviors, including responding for drug reinforcement. Positive allosteric modulation of the type-5 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) in particular has emerged as a treatment strategy for the enhancement of extinction of drug-motivated behaviors. Here, we investigated the effects of the mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator CDPPB, a compound known for its cognitive enhancing effects in rodents, on extinction learning in rats with different histories of methamphetamine (METH) training. Rats were trained to self-administer METH under two conditions: 16 daily sessions of short access (90 min/day, ShA), or eight daily sessions of short access followed by eight sessions of long access (6 h/day, LgA). Control rats self-administered sucrose pellets in daily 30 min sessions. Next, rats were administered vehicle or 30 mg/kg CDPPB prior to seven consecutive daily extinction sessions, subjected to additional extinction sessions to re-establish a post-treatment baseline, and then tested for reinstatement of behavior in the presence of METH- or sucrose-paired cues. Rats were then subjected to a second series of extinction sessions, preceded by vehicle or 30 mg/kg CDPPB, and an additional test for cue-triggered reinstatement. CDPPB treatment resulted in a more rapid extinction of responding on the active lever, especially in the early sessions of the first extinction sequence. However, treatment effects were minimal during subsequent cue reinstatement tests and non-existent during the second series of extinction sessions. Rats with histories of ShA, LgA, and sucrose training expressed similar behavioral sensitivities to CDPPB, with LgA rats demonstrating a modestly higher treatment effect. Positive allosteric modulation of mGluR5 may therefore have some beneficial effects on efforts to facilitate extinction learning and reduce methamphetamine seeking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Kufahl
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
He Z, Yan L, Yong Z, Dong Z, Dong H, Gong Z. Chicago sky blue 6B, a vesicular glutamate transporters inhibitor, attenuates methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity and behavioral sensitization in mice. Behav Brain Res 2012; 239:172-6. [PMID: 23159705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence demonstrate that glutamatergic system plays an important role in drug addiction. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Chicago sky blue 6B (CSB6B), a vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) inhibitor, on methamphetamine (METH)-induced behaviors in mice. Mice were induced behavioral sensitization to METH by subcutaneous injection of 1mg/kg METH once daily for 7 days and then challenged with 1mg/kg METH in 14th day. Intracerebroventricular administration of CSB6B (7.5μg) 2.5h prior to METH was to observe its effects on METH -induced behavioral sensitization. Our results showed that the expressions of behavioral sensitization were significantly attenuated by intracerebroventricular administration of CSB6B 2.5h prior to METH either during the development period or before methamphetamine challenge in mice, while CSB6B itself had no effect on locomotor activity. Meanwhile, pretreatment of CSB6B also attenuated hyperactivity caused by a single injection of METH in mice. These results demonstrated that CSB6B, a VGLUTs inhibitor, attenuated acute METH-induced hyperactivity and chronic METH-induced behavioral sensitization, which indicated that VGLUTs were involved in the effect of chronic METH-induced behavioral sensitization and may be a new target against the addiction of METH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
As the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, glutamate plays an undisputable integral role in opiate addiction. This relates, in part, to the fact that addiction is a disorder of learning and memory, and glutamate is required for most types of memory formation. As opiate addiction develops, the addict becomes conditioned to engage in addictive behaviors, and these behaviors can be triggered by opiate-associated cues during abstinence, resulting in relapse. Some medications for opiate addiction exert their therapeutic effects at glutamate receptors, especially the NMDA receptor. Understanding the neural circuits controlling opiate addiction, and the locus of glutamate's actions within these circuits, will help guide the development of targeted pharmacotherapeutics for relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Peters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, 1081BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abulseoud OA, Miller JD, Wu J, Choi DS, Holschneider DP. Ceftriaxone upregulates the glutamate transporter in medial prefrontal cortex and blocks reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in a condition place preference paradigm. Brain Res 2012; 1456:14-21. [PMID: 22521042 PMCID: PMC3922613 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate signaling plays an essential role in drug-seeking behavior. Using reinstatement of conditioned place preference (CPP), we determined whether ceftriaxone, a β-lactam antibiotic known to increase the expression and activity of the glutamate transporter (EAAT₂) on glial cells, blocks methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement of CPP. Rats acquired methamphetamine CPP following 7 consecutive days of conditioning, during which each animal received pairings of alternating morning methamphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, IP) and afternoon saline (IP). Animals showing CPP were successfully extinguished with repeated twice daily saline administration over a 7-day period. Ceftriaxone (200 mg/kg, IP) was administered (vs. saline) once a day for 7 days during the extinction period. Upon successful extinction, animals received a single dose of methamphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, IP) for reinstatement and were tested for CPP one day later. Using real time PCR, EAAT₂ mRNA levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were quantified in response to ceftriaxone. Ceftriaxone blocked methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement of CPP and significantly increased EAAT₂ mRNA levels in the mPFC, with a trend towards significance in the NAc. In conclusion, Ceftriaxone modulated the expression of the glutamate transporter in a critical region of the cortico-striatal addiction circuitry and attenuated drug-seeking behavior in rats. Further research is needed to test the efficacy of compounds targeting the EAAT₂ in human methamphetamine-dependent users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osama A Abulseoud
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Coller JK, Hutchinson MR. Implications of central immune signaling caused by drugs of abuse: mechanisms, mediators and new therapeutic approaches for prediction and treatment of drug dependence. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 134:219-45. [PMID: 22316499 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades a trickle of manuscripts examining the non-neuronal central nervous system immune consequences of the drugs of abuse has now swollen to a significant body of work. Initially, these studies reported associative evidence of central nervous system proinflammation resulting from exposure to the drugs of abuse demonstrating key implications for neurotoxicity and disease progression associated with, for example, HIV infection. However, more recently this drug-induced activation of central immune signaling is now understood to contribute substantially to the pharmacodynamic actions of the drugs of abuse, by enhancing the engagement of classical mesolimbic dopamine reward pathways and withdrawal centers. This review will highlight the key in vivo animal, human, biological and molecular evidence of these central immune signaling actions of opioids, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Excitingly, this new appreciation of central immune signaling activity of drugs of abuse provides novel therapeutic interventions and opportunities to identify 'at risk' individuals through the use of immunogenetics. Discussion will also cover the evidence of modulation of this signaling by existing clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates, and novel pharmacological targets. Finally, following examination of the breadth of central immune signaling actions of the drugs of abuse highlighted here, the current known common immune signaling components will be outlined and their impact on established addiction neurocircuitry discussed, thereby synthesizing a common neuroimmune hypothesis of addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet K Coller
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Distinct neurochemical adaptations within the nucleus accumbens produced by a history of self-administered vs non-contingently administered intravenous methamphetamine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2012; 37:707-22. [PMID: 22030712 PMCID: PMC3260984 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychomotor stimulant yet the neurobiological consequences of methamphetamine self-administration remain under-characterized. Thus, we employed microdialysis in rats trained to self-administer intravenous (IV) infusions of methamphetamine (METH-SA) or saline (SAL) and a group of rats receiving non-contingent IV infusions of methamphetamine (METH-NC) at 1 or 21 days withdrawal to determine the dopamine and glutamate responses in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) to a 2 mg/kg methamphetamine intraperitoneal challenge. Furthermore, basal NAC extracellular glutamate content was assessed employing no net-flux procedures in these three groups at both time points. At both 1- and 21-day withdrawal points, methamphetamine elicited a rise in extracellular dopamine in SAL animals and this effect was sensitized in METH-NC rats. However, METH-SA animals showed a much greater sensitized dopamine response to the drug challenge compared with the other groups. Additionally, acute methamphetamine decreased extracellular glutamate in both SAL and METH-NC animals at both time-points. In contrast, METH-SA rats exhibited a modest and delayed rise in glutamate at 1-day withdrawal and this rise was sensitized at 21 days withdrawal. Finally, no net-flux microdialysis revealed elevated basal glutamate and increased extraction fraction at both withdrawal time-points in METH-SA rats. Although METH-NC rats exhibited no change in the glutamate extraction fraction, they exhibited a time-dependent elevation in basal glutamate levels. These data illustrate for the first time that a history of methamphetamine self-administration produces enduring changes in NAC neurotransmission and that non-pharmacological factors have a critical role in the expression of these methamphetamine-induced neurochemical adaptations.
Collapse
|
44
|
Yokobayashi E, Ujike H, Kotaka T, Okahisa Y, Takaki M, Kodama M, Inada T, Uchimura N, Yamada M, Iwata N, Iyo M, Sora I, Ozaki N, Kuroda S. Association study of serine racemase gene with methamphetamine psychosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2011; 9:169-75. [PMID: 21886585 PMCID: PMC3137175 DOI: 10.2174/157015911795017092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental studies have demonstrated that not only dopaminergic signaling but also glutamatergic/NMDA receptor signaling play indispensable roles in the development of methamphetamine psychosis. Our recent genetic studies provided evidence that genetic variants of glutamate-related genes such as DTNBP1, GLYT1, and G72, which are involved in glutamate release and regulation of co-agonists for NMDA receptors, conferred susceptibility to methamphetamine psychosis. Serine racemase converts l-serine to d-serine, which is an endogenous co-agonist for NMDA receptors. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the serine racemase gene (SRR), rs224770, rs3760229, and rs408067, were proven to affect the transcription activity of SRR. Therefore, we examined these SNPs in 225 patients with methamphetamine psychosis and 291 age- and sex-matched controls. There was no significant association between methamphetamine psychosis and any SNP examined or between the disorder and haplotypes comprising the three SNPs. However, rs408067 was significantly associated with the prognosis for methamphetamine psychosis and multi-substance abuse status. The patients with C-positive genotypes (CC or CG) of rs408067 showed better prognosis of psychosis after therapy and less abuse of multiple substances than the patients with GG genotypes. Because the C allele of rs408067 reduces the expression of SRR, a lower d-serine level or reduced NMDA receptor activation may affect the prognosis of methamphetamine psychosis and multiple substance abuse. Our sample size is, however, not large enough to eliminate the possibility of a type I error, our findings must be confirmed by replicate studies with larger samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Yokobayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Regulation of ethanol-sensitive EAAT2 expression through adenosine A1 receptor in astrocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 406:47-52. [PMID: 21291865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.01.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine-regulated glutamate signaling in astrocytes is implicated in many neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we examined whether adenosine A1 receptor regulates EAAT2 expression in astrocytes using pharmacological agents and siRNAs. We found that adenosine A1 receptor-specific antagonist DPCPX or PSB36 decreased EAAT2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Consistently, knockdown of A1 receptor in astrocytes decreased EAAT2 mRNA expression while overexpression of A1 receptor upregulated EAAT2 expression and function. Since A1 receptor activation is mainly coupled to inhibitory G-proteins and inhibits the activity of adenylate cyclase, we investigated the effect of forskolin, which activates adenylate cyclase activity, on EAAT2 mRNA levels. Interestingly, we found that forskolin reduced EAAT2 expression in dose- and time-dependent manners. In contrast, adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 increased EAAT2 expression in dose- and time-dependent manners. In addition, forskolin blocked ethanol-induced EAAT2 upregulation. Taken together, these results suggest that A1 receptor-mediated signaling regulates EAAT2 expression in astrocytes.
Collapse
|
46
|
Association of IL-1B genetic polymorphisms with an increased risk of opioid and alcohol dependence. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2010; 19:869-76. [PMID: 19801958 DOI: 10.1097/fpc.0b013e328331e68f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between genetic variability of IL-1B, which encodes for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta and the risk of developing opioid dependence. To confirm a previous study, we also examined the association between the IL-1B genetic polymorphism and alcohol dependence. METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from 60 opioid-dependent, 99 alcohol-dependent patients and 60 healthy nondependent controls. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to determine the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions -511, -31 and 3954 of IL-1B. RESULTS IL-1B -511C and -31T alleles were more frequent in both the opioid-dependent and alcohol-dependent patients compared with the control group: odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) P values corrected for false discovery rate=1.91 (1.14-3.20), P=0.043 and 1.89 (1.19-2.99), P=0.014, respectively, for IL-1B -511C>T; and OR=1.74 (1.02-2.97), P=0.066 and 1.80 (1.13-2.88), P=0.017, respectively, for IL-1B -31T>C. In contrast, no association was observed between opioid dependence and the IL-1B 3954C>T single nucleotide polymorphism [OR=1.60 (0.84-3.02), P=0.15]. CONCLUSION This study confirms the previous finding that IL-1B polymorphism is associated with altered risk of alcohol dependence. IL-1B single nucleotide polymorphisms at position -511 and -31, which increase IL-1beta production, occur at a higher frequency in opioid-dependent populations and may be associated, albeit weakly, with an increased risk of opioid dependence.
Collapse
|
47
|
Nakagawa T. [Involvement of dysfunction of glia-neuron network in chronic pain and drug addiction]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2010; 135:225-9. [PMID: 20543511 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.135.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
48
|
Miguel-Hidalgo J, Shoyama Y, Wanzo V. Infusion of gliotoxins or a gap junction blocker in the prelimbic cortex increases alcohol preference in Wistar rats. J Psychopharmacol 2009; 23:550-7. [PMID: 18562436 PMCID: PMC2697276 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108091074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem research has revealed that there is a lower density of glial cells in regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of uncomplicated alcoholics when compared with control subjects. Impairment of astrocyte function in the PFC may contribute to malfunction in circuits involved in emotion- and reward-related subcortical centers, heavily connected with the PFC and directly involved in the pathophysiology of addictive behaviours. The hypothesis was tested that infusion of gliotoxins known to injure astrocytes or of a gap junction blocker into the prelimbic area of the rat PFC results in increased preference for ethanol in rats exposed to free choice between water and 10% ethanol. Fluorocitric acid, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (AAD) or the gap junction blocker 18-alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (AGA) were bilaterally infused once into the rat prelimbic cortex and alcohol preference (ratio of 10% ethanol consumed to total liquid ingested) was measured before and after infusion. Infusion of AAD or AGA dissolved in their vehicles, but not of their vehicles alone, resulted in significant transient increase of preference for 10% ethanol. The present data suggest that impaired integrity of glial cells or the gap junctional communication between them in the rat PFC may contribute to changes in ethanol preference.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Miguel-Hidalgo
- Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
| | - Y Shoyama
- Department of Chemo-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - V Wanzo
- Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Electrolytic lesions of the medial nucleus accumbens shell selectively decrease ethanol consumption without altering preference in a limited access procedure in C57BL/6J mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2009; 92:335-42. [PMID: 19353807 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The central extended amygdala (cExtA) is a limbic region proposed to play a key role in drug and alcohol addiction and to contain the medial nucleus accumbens shell (MNAc shell). The aim of this study was to examine the involvement of the MNAc shell in ethanol and sucrose consumption in a limited and free access procedure in the C57BL/6J (B6) mouse. Separate groups of mice received bilateral electrolytic lesions of the MNAc shell or sham surgery, and following recovery from surgery, were allowed to voluntarily consume ethanol (15% v/v) in a 2 h limited access 2-bottle-choice procedure. Following 1 week of limited access ethanol consumption, mice were given 1 week of limited access sucrose consumption. A separate group of lesioned and sham mice were given free access (24 h) to ethanol in a 2-bottle choice procedure and were run in parallel to the mice receiving limited access consumption. Electrolytic lesions of the MNAc shell decreased ethanol (but not sucrose) consumption in a limited access procedure, but did not alter free access ethanol consumption. These results suggest that the MNAc shell is a component of the underlying neural circuitry contributing to limited access alcohol consumption in the B6 mouse.
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Neuronal dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, limbic structures, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area is considered to underlie the general physiopathological mechanisms for substance use disorders. Glutamatergic, dopaminergic and opioidoergic neuronal mechanisms in those brain areas have been targeted in the development of pharmacotherapies for drug abuse and dependence. However, despite the pivotal role of neurons in the mechanisms of addiction, these cells are not the only cell type in charge of sustaining and regulating neurotransmission. Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, play essential roles in the regulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, neurotransmitter metabolism, and supply of energy substrates for synaptic transmission. In addition, astrocytes are markedly affected by exposure to ethanol and other substances of abuse. These features of astrocytes suggest that alterations in the function of astrocytes and other glial cells in reward circuits may contribute to drug addiction. Recent research has shown that the control of glutamate uptake and the release of neurotrophic factors by astrocytes influences behaviors of addiction and may play modulatory roles in psychostimulant, opiate, and alcohol abuse. Less is known about the contributions of microglia and oligodendrocytes to drug abuse, although, given the ability of these cells to produce growth factors and cytokines in response to alterations in synaptic transmission, further research should better define their role in drug addiction. The available knowledge on the involvement of glial cells in addictive behaviors suggests that regulation of glutamate transport and neurotrophins may constitute new avenues for the treatment of drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Javier Miguel-Hidalgo
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| |
Collapse
|