1
|
Plocinski JA, Ball KT. Prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex has bidirectional control over the expression of behavioral sensitization to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) depending on the context of drug administration. Neurosci Lett 2022; 783:136710. [PMID: 35671916 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral sensitization to MDMA is observed in the vast majority of rats if tested in the same environment in which previous MDMA exposure occurred, but not if tested in a novel, unpaired context. Previous studies have revealed a critical role for the prelimbic region of medial prefrontal cortex (PL) in the expression of sensitization to MDMA, but these studies assessed sensitization only in MDMA-paired environments. Given that PL activity can both facilitate and suppress behavior depending on context, we tested the hypothesis that PL has bidirectional control over the expression of locomotor sensitization to MDMA depending on the context of drug administration. Rats were treated with either saline or MDMA (5.0 mg/kg) twice daily for 5 days, in either their home cages (unpaired groups) or the activity monitors that were used for tests of sensitization on challenge days (paired groups). Prior to MDMA challenge injections (2.5 mg/kg; at ∼2 weeks of withdrawal), rats received bilateral PL microinjections of either lidocaine (100 μg/0.5 μl/side) or physiological saline (0.5 μl/side). Locomotor activity in response to MDMA challenge was unaffected by PL inactivation in saline pretreated rats. However, PL inactivation caused a decrease in locomotion to the challenge injection in MDMA/paired rats and an increase in locomotion in MDMA/unpaired rats. These results establish a novel role for PL in suppressing the expression of behavioral sensitization when subjects are challenged in a drug-unpaired context, adding to the literature implicating PL activity in both the expression and inhibition of other drug-related behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Plocinski
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2(nd) St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | - Kevin T Ball
- Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 E. 2(nd) St., Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Webb J, Keane S. MDMA for the treatment of misophonia, a proposal. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:983285. [PMID: 36440420 PMCID: PMC9685534 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.983285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Misophonia is a disorder characterized by negative physical and emotional reactions to certain trigger sounds, such as chewing food. Up to 50% of population samples endorse some symptoms of misophonia, with about 20% having symptoms that impair normal life functioning. Most misophonia patients exhibit intense negative emotions and autonomic arousal (the fight-flight-freeze response) in response to a trigger, similarly to how someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might respond to a trauma trigger. Curiously, misophonia trigger sounds are often most distressing when coming from a specific person, suggesting the disorder may be responsive to interpersonal relationship factors. Treatment of misophonia is currently limited to the use of hearing modifications (e.g., earplugs or headphones) and psychotherapy, but many patients continue to suffer despite these best efforts. Phase 3 clinical trials suggest that MDMA is efficacious at treating the symptoms of autonomic arousal, negative emotions, and interpersonal suffering found in PTSD. As such, we propose that MDMA may represent an ideal treatment for some suffering from severe misophonia. In this perspective article, we review the symptoms of misophonia, and outline how MDMA may be uniquely suited for treating it, perhaps using a protocol analogous to the MAPS Phase 3 studies for PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jadon Webb
- Bloom Mental Health LLC, Littleton, CO, United States
| | - Shannon Keane
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Braunscheidel KM, Wayman WN, Okas MP, Woodward JJ. Self-Administration of Toluene Vapor in Rats. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:880. [PMID: 32973434 PMCID: PMC7461949 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalants, including volatile organic solvents such as toluene, continue to be one of the most prevalent, and often first substances abused by adolescents. Like other drugs of abuse, toluene affects the function of neurons within key brain reward circuits including the prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and nucleus accumbens. However, preclinical models used to study these toluene-induced adaptations generally employ passive exposure paradigms that do not mirror voluntary patterns of solvent exposure observed in humans. To address this shortcoming, we developed an inhalation chamber containing active and inactive nose pokes, cue lights, flow-through vaporizers, and software-controlled valves to test the hypothesis that rats will voluntarily self-administer toluene vapor. Following habituation and self-administration (SA) training rats achieve vapor concentrations associated with rewarding effects of toluene, and maintain responding for toluene vapor, but not for air. During extinction trials, rats showed an initial burst of drug-seeking behavior similar to that of other addictive drugs and then reduced responding to Air SA levels. Responding on the active nose poke recovered during cue-induced reinstatement but not following a single passive exposure to toluene vapor. The results from these studies establish a viable toluene SA protocol that will be useful in assessing toluene-induced changes in addiction neurocircuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John J. Woodward
- Department of Neuroscience, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aguilar MA, García-Pardo MP, Parrott AC. Of mice and men on MDMA: A translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy'). Brain Res 2020; 1727:146556. [PMID: 31734398 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine), also known as Ecstasy, is a stimulant drug recreationally used by young adults usually in dance clubs and raves. Acute MDMA administration increases serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline by reversing the action of the monoamine transporters. In this work, we review the studies carried out over the last 30 years on the neuropsychobiological effects of MDMA in humans and mice and summarise the current knowledge. The two species differ with respect to the neurochemical consequences of chronic MDMA, since it preferentially induces serotonergic dysfunction in humans and dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice. However, MDMA alters brain structure and function and induces hormonal, psychomotor, neurocognitive, psychosocial and psychiatric outcomes in both species, as well as physically damaging and teratogen effects. Pharmacological and genetic studies in mice have increased our knowledge of the neurochemical substrate of the multiple effects of MDMA. Future work in this area may contribute to developing pharmacological treatments for MDMA-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Aguilar
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Andrew C Parrott
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marie N, Canestrelli C, Noble F. Role of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in neuroadaptations induced by drugs of abuse, with a focus on opioids and psychostimulants. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 106:217-226. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
6
|
De Sa Nogueira D, Merienne K, Befort K. Neuroepigenetics and addictive behaviors: Where do we stand? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 106:58-72. [PMID: 30205119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorders involve long-term changes in the brain that lead to compulsive drug seeking, craving, and a high probability of relapse. Recent findings have highlighted the role of epigenetic regulations in controlling chromatin access and regulation of gene expression following exposure to drugs of abuse. In the present review, we focus on data investigating genome-wide epigenetic modifications in the brain of addicted patients or in rodent models exposed to drugs of abuse, with a particular focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications associated with transcriptional studies. We highlight critical factors for epigenomic studies in addiction. We discuss new findings related to psychostimulants, alcohol, opiate, nicotine and cannabinoids. We examine the possible transmission of these changes across generations. We highlight developing tools, specifically those that allow investigation of structural reorganization of the chromatin. These have the potential to increase our understanding of alteration of chromatin architecture at gene regulatory regions. Neuroepigenetic mechanisms involved in addictive behaviors could explain persistent phenotypic effects of drugs and, in particular, vulnerability to relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David De Sa Nogueira
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Team 3 « Abuse of Drugs and Neuroadaptations », Faculté de Psychologie, 12 rue Goethe, F-67000, France
| | - Karine Merienne
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Team 1 « Dynamics of Memory and Epigenetics », Faculté de Psychologie, 12 rue Goethe, F-67000, France
| | - Katia Befort
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), UMR 7364, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Team 3 « Abuse of Drugs and Neuroadaptations », Faculté de Psychologie, 12 rue Goethe, F-67000, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Petschner P, Tamasi V, Adori C, Kirilly E, Ando RD, Tothfalusi L, Bagdy G. Gene expression analysis indicates reduced memory and cognitive functions in the hippocampus and increase in synaptic reorganization in the frontal cortex 3 weeks after MDMA administration in Dark Agouti rats. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:580. [PMID: 30071829 PMCID: PMC6090855 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a widely used entactogenic drug known to impair cognitive functions on the long-run. Both hippocampal and frontal cortical regions have well established roles in behavior, memory formation and other cognitive tasks and damage of these regions is associated with altered behavior and cognitive functions frequently described in otherwise healthy MDMA users. Meanwhile, in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients seem to benefit from therapeutic application of the drug, where damage in hippocampal cue extinction may play a role. The aim of this study was to examine the hippocampus, frontal cortex and dorsal raphe of Dark Agouti rats with gene expression arrays (Illumina RatRef bead arrays) looking for possible mechanisms and new candidates contributing to the consequences of a single dose of MDMA (15 mg/kg) 3 weeks earlier. RESULTS The number of differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and the dorsal raphe were 481, 155, and 15, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis of the microarray data revealed reduced expression of 'memory' and 'cognition', 'dendrite development' and 'regulation of synaptic plasticity' gene sets in the hippocampus, parallel to the downregulation of CaMK II subunits, glutamate-, CB1 cannabinoid- and EphA4, EphA5, EphA6 receptors. Downregulated gene sets in the frontal cortex were related to protein synthesis, chromatin organization, transmembrane transport processes, while 'dendrite development', 'regulation of synaptic plasticity' and 'positive regulation of synapse assembly' gene sets were upregulated besides elevated levels of a CaMK II subunit and NMDA2B glutamate receptor. Changes in the dorsal raphe region were mild and in most cases not significant. CONCLUSION The present data raise the possibility of new synapse formation / synaptic reorganization in the frontal cortex 3 weeks after a single neurotoxic dose of MDMA. In contrast, a prolonged depression of new neurite formation in the hippocampus is proposed by downregulations of members in long-term potentiation pathway and synaptic plasticity emphasizing the particular vulnerability of this brain region and proposing a mechanism responsible for cognitive problems in healthy individuals. At the same time, these results underpin benefits of MDMA in PTSD, where the drug may help memory extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Petschner
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary.,MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology & Neurochemistry Research Group, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Viola Tamasi
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Csaba Adori
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary.,4 Retzius Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius väg 8, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eszter Kirilly
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Romeo D Ando
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Tothfalusi
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Bagdy
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary. .,MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology & Neurochemistry Research Group, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary. .,NAP-2-SE New Antidepressant Target Research Group, Semmelweis University, Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, H-1089, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Transcriptomic Changes in Rat Cortex and Brainstem After Cortical Spreading Depression With or Without Pretreatment With Migraine Prophylactic Drugs. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2017; 18:366-375. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
9
|
Cerebellum Transcriptome of Mice Bred for High Voluntary Activity Offers Insights into Locomotor Control and Reward-Dependent Behaviors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167095. [PMID: 27893846 PMCID: PMC5125674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the cerebellum in motivation and addictive behaviors is less understood than that in control and coordination of movements. High running can be a self-rewarding behavior exhibiting addictive properties. Changes in the cerebellum transcriptional networks of mice from a line selectively bred for High voluntary running (H) were profiled relative to an unselected Control (C) line. The environmental modulation of these changes was assessed both in activity environments corresponding to 7 days of Free (F) access to running wheel and to Blocked (B) access on day 7. Overall, 457 genes exhibited a significant (FDR-adjusted P-value < 0.05) genotype-by-environment interaction effect, indicating that activity genotype differences in gene expression depend on environmental access to running. Among these genes, network analysis highlighted 6 genes (Nrgn, Drd2, Rxrg, Gda, Adora2a, and Rab40b) connected by their products that displayed opposite expression patterns in the activity genotype contrast within the B and F environments. The comparison of network expression topologies suggests that selection for high voluntary running is linked to a predominant dysregulation of hub genes in the F environment that enables running whereas a dysregulation of ancillary genes is favored in the B environment that blocks running. Genes associated with locomotor regulation, signaling pathways, reward-processing, goal-focused, and reward-dependent behaviors exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction (e.g. Pak6, Adora2a, Drd2, and Arhgap8). Neuropeptide genes including Adcyap1, Cck, Sst, Vgf, Npy, Nts, Penk, and Tac2 and related receptor genes also exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction. The majority of the 183 differentially expressed genes between activity genotypes (e.g. Drd1) were under-expressed in C relative to H genotypes and were also under-expressed in B relative to F environments. Our findings indicate that the high voluntary running mouse line studied is a helpful model for understanding the molecular mechanisms in the cerebellum that influence locomotor control and reward-dependent behaviors.
Collapse
|
10
|
De Ron P, Dremier S, Winlow P, Jenkins A, Hanon E, Nogueira da Costa A. Correlating behaviour and gene expression endpoints in the dopaminergic system after modafinil administration in mouse. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:729-40. [PMID: 26875113 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of action of modafinil continue to be poorly characterised and its potential for abuse in preclinical models remains controverted. The aim of this study was to further elucidate the mechanism of action of modafinil, through a potential behavioural and molecular association in the mouse. A conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm was implemented to investigate the rewarding properties of modafinil. Whole genome expression and qRT-PCR analysis were performed on the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of modafinil-treated and control animals. Modafinil administration (65 mg/kg) induced an increase in locomotor activity, an increase in the change of preference for the drug paired side after a conditioning period as well as changes to gene expression profiles in the VTA (120 genes), NAC (23 genes) and PFC (19 genes). A molecular signature consisting of twelve up-regulated genes was identified as common to the three brain regions. Multiple linear correlation analysis showed a strong correlation (R(2)>0.70) between the behavioural and molecular endpoints in the three brain regions. We show that modafinil had a concomitant effect on CPP, locomotor activity, and up-regulation of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) regulated genes (Gbp2, Gbp3, Gbp10, Cd274, Igtp), while correlating the latter set of genes with behaviour changes evaluated through the CPP. A potential association can be proposed based on the dysregulation of p47 family genes and Gbp family of IFN-γ induced GTPases. In conclusion, these findings suggest a link between the behavioural and molecular events in the context of modafinil administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P De Ron
- Non-Clinical Development, UCB Biopharma SPRL, Belgium
| | - S Dremier
- Non-Clinical Development, UCB Biopharma SPRL, Belgium
| | - P Winlow
- Non-Clinical Development, UCB Biopharma SPRL, Belgium
| | - A Jenkins
- Non-Clinical Development, UCB Biopharma SPRL, Belgium
| | - E Hanon
- CNS Research, UCB Biopharma SPRL, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ozburn AR, Janowsky AJ, Crabbe JC. Commonalities and Distinctions Among Mechanisms of Addiction to Alcohol and Other Drugs. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2015; 39:1863-77. [PMID: 26431116 PMCID: PMC4594192 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol abuse is comorbid with abuse of many other drugs, some with similar pharmacology and others quite different. This leads to the hypothesis of an underlying, unitary dysfunctional neurobiological basis for substance abuse risk and consequences. METHODS In this review, we discuss commonalities and distinctions of addiction to alcohol and other drugs. We focus on recent advances in preclinical studies using rodent models of drug self-administration. RESULTS While there are specific behavioral and molecular manifestations common to alcohol, psychostimulant, opioid, and nicotine dependence, attempts to propose a unifying theory of the addictions inevitably face details where distinctions are found among classes of drugs. CONCLUSIONS For alcohol, versus other drugs of abuse, we discuss and compare advances in: (i) neurocircuitry important for the different stages of drug dependence; (ii) transcriptomics and genetical genomics; and (iii) enduring effects, noting in particular the contributions of behavioral genetics and animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela R. Ozburn
- Research & Development Service, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Aaron J. Janowsky
- Research & Development Service, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA and Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - John C. Crabbe
- Research & Development Service, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Martín-García E, Fernández-Castillo N, Burokas A, Gutiérrez-Cuesta J, Sánchez-Mora C, Casas M, Ribasés M, Cormand B, Maldonado R. Frustrated expected reward induces differential transcriptional changes in the mouse brain. Addict Biol 2015; 20:22-37. [PMID: 25288320 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Frustration represents a particular aspect of the addictive process that is related to loss of control when the expected reward is not obtained. We aim to study the consequences of frustrated expected reward on gene expression in the mouse brain. For this purpose, we used an operant model of frustration using palatable food as reward combined with microarrays. Transcriptomic profiles of frontal cortex, ventral striatum and hippocampus were analysed in five groups of mice: (1) positive control receiving palatable food and the cue light as conditioned stimulus; (2) frustrated group only receiving the cue light; (3) extinction learning group that did not receive palatable food nor the light; (4) negative control that never received the reinforcer nor the light during the whole experiment; and (5) yoked that received palatable food passively. Gene expression changes produced by frustration were revealed in the frontal cortex and ventral striatum, but not in the hippocampus. Most of the changes, such as the modification of the dopamine-DARPP-32 signalling pathway, were common in both areas and estimated to have neuronal origin. Extinction learning induced transcriptional changes only in the ventral striatum, with most genes showing down-regulation and without alteration in the dopamine-DARPP-32 signalling pathway. Active palatable food-seeking behaviour induced changes in gene expression in ventral striatum mainly affecting cell communication. In conclusion, frustration behaviour-induced changes in frontal cortex and ventral striatum mainly related to dopamine-DARPP-32 signalling that could play an important role in the loss of behavioural control during the addictive processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martín-García
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia; Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; PRBB; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Spain
| | - Noelia Fernández-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica; Facultat de Biologia; Universitat de Barcelona; Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB); Spain
| | - Aurelijus Burokas
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia; Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; PRBB; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Spain
| | - Javier Gutiérrez-Cuesta
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia; Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; PRBB; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Spain
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Mora
- Department of Psychiatry; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Center on Mental Health (CIBERSAM); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Spain
| | - Miguel Casas
- Department of Psychiatry; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Center on Mental Health (CIBERSAM); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Spain
| | - Marta Ribasés
- Department of Psychiatry; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Center on Mental Health (CIBERSAM); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Spain
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica; Facultat de Biologia; Universitat de Barcelona; Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB); Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia; Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut; PRBB; Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Spain
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Looking for prosocial genes: ITRAQ analysis of proteins involved in MDMA-induced sociability in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:1773-83. [PMID: 25241352 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Social behavior plays a fundamental role in life of many animal species, allowing the interaction between individuals and sharing of experiences, needs, and goals across them. In humans, some neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and autism spectrum disorders, are often characterized by impaired sociability. Here we report that N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") at low dose (3mg/kg) has differential effects on mouse social behavior. In some animals, MDMA promotes sociability without hyperlocomotion, whereas in other mice it elevates locomotor activity without affecting sociability. Both WAY-100635, a selective antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor, and L-368899, a selective oxytocin receptor antagonist, abolish prosocial effects of MDMA. Differential quantitative analysis of brain proteome by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification technology (iTRAQ) revealed 21 specific proteins that were highly correlated with sociability, and allowed to distinguish between entactogenic prosocial and hyperlocomotor effects of MDMA on proteome level. Our data suggest particular relevance of neurotransmission mediated by GABA B receptor, as well as proteins involved in energy maintenance for MDMA-induced sociability. Functional association network for differentially expressed proteins in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdala were identified. These results provide new information for understanding the neurobiological substrate of sociability and may help to discover new therapeutic approaches to modulate social behavior in patients suffering from social fear and low sociability.
Collapse
|
14
|
Petschner P, Tamasi V, Adori C, Kirilly E, Ando RD, Tothfalusi L, Bagdy G. Gene expression analysis indicates CB1 receptor upregulation in the hippocampus and neurotoxic effects in the frontal cortex 3 weeks after single-dose MDMA administration in Dark Agouti rats. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:930. [PMID: 24378229 PMCID: PMC3902429 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a widely used recreational drug known to impair cognitive functions on the long-run. Both hippocampal and frontal cortical regions have well established roles in behavior, memory formation and other cognitive tasks and damage of these regions is associated with altered behavior and cognitive functions, impairments frequently described in heavy MDMA users. The aim of this study was to examine the hippocampus, frontal cortex and dorsal raphe of Dark Agouti rats with gene expression arrays (Illumina RatRef bead arrays) looking for possible mechanisms and new candidates contributing to the effects of a single dose of MDMA (15 mg/kg) 3 weeks earlier. RESULTS The number of differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and the dorsal raphe were 481, 155, and 15, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis of the microarray data revealed reduced expression of 'memory' and 'cognition', 'dendrite development' and 'regulation of synaptic plasticity' gene sets in the hippocampus, parallel to the upregulation of the CB1 cannabinoid- and Epha4, Epha5, Epha6 ephrin receptors. Downregulated gene sets in the frontal cortex were related to protein synthesis, chromatin organization, transmembrane transport processes, while 'dendrite development', 'regulation of synaptic plasticity' and 'positive regulation of synapse assembly' gene sets were upregulated. Changes in the dorsal raphe region were mild and in most cases not significant. CONCLUSION The present data raise the possibility of new synapse formation/synaptic reorganization in the frontal cortex three weeks after a single neurotoxic dose of MDMA. In contrast, a prolonged depression of new neurite formation in the hippocampus is suggested by the data, which underlines the particular vulnerability of this brain region after the drug treatment. Finally, our results also suggest the substantial contribution of CB1 receptor and endocannabinoid mediated pathways in the hippocampal impairments. Taken together the present study provides evidence for the participation of new molecular candidates in the long-term effects of MDMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Petschner
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viola Tamasi
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Adori
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Kirilly
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Romeo D Ando
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Tothfalusi
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Bagdy
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Nagyvarad ter 4., Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Post-transcriptional regulatory elements and spatiotemporal specification of neocortical stem cells and projection neurons. Neuroscience 2013; 248:499-528. [PMID: 23727006 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The mature neocortex is a unique six-layered mammalian brain region. It is composed of morphologically and functionally distinct subpopulations of primary projection neurons that form complex circuits across the central nervous system. The precisely-timed generation of projection neurons from neural stem cells governs their differentiation, postmitotic specification, and signaling, and is critical for cognitive and sensorimotor ability. Developmental perturbations to the birthdate, location, and connectivity of neocortical neurons are observed in neurological and psychiatric disorders. These facts are highlighting the importance of the precise spatiotemporal development of the neocortex regulated by intricate transcriptional, but also complex post-transcriptional events. Indeed, mRNA transcripts undergo many post-transcriptional regulatory steps before the production of functional proteins, which specify neocortical neural stem cells and subpopulations of neocortical neurons. Therefore, particular attention is paid to the differential post-transcriptional regulation of key transcripts by RNA-binding proteins, including splicing, localization, stability, and translation. We also present a transcriptome screen of candidate molecules associated with post-transcriptional mRNA processing that are differentially expressed at key developmental time points across neocortical prenatal neurogenesis.
Collapse
|