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Lee BR, Sung SJ, Hur KH, Kim SE, Ma SX, Kim SK, Ko YH, Kim YJ, Lee Y, Lee SY, Jang CG. Korean Red Ginseng inhibits methamphetamine addictive behaviors by regulating dopaminergic and NMDAergic system in rodents. J Ginseng Res 2022; 46:147-155. [PMID: 35058731 PMCID: PMC8753524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Chen SC, Chen H, Yu SJ, Chen YH, Wang Y. Alleviation of Methamphetamine Sensitization by Partially Lesioning Dopaminergic Terminals with 6-Hydroxydopamine in Nucleus Accumbens. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:9636897211052300. [PMID: 34743572 PMCID: PMC8579363 DOI: 10.1177/09636897211052300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphetamine-type stimulants have become important and popular abused drugs worldwide. Methamphetamine (Meth) sensitization, characterized by a progressive increase in behavioral responses after repeated administration, has been reported in rodents and patients. This behavioral effect has been used as a laboratory model to study drug addiction and schizophrenia. The mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway plays a significant role in the development of Meth behavioral sensitization. Previous studies have reported that the ablation of nucleus accumbens (NAc) by electrolytic or thermal lesioning attenuates addictive behavior to opioids in animals. However, these studies were only conducted in opioid addictive rodents. Furthermore, these ablation procedures also damaged the non-dopaminergic neurons and fibers passing through the NAc. The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effect of NAc lesioning by a selective dopaminergic toxin in Meth-sensitized animals. Adult mice received repeated administration of Meth for 7 days. Open-field locomotor activity and stereotype behavior were significantly increased after Meth treatment, suggesting behavior sensitization. A partial lesion of dopaminergic terminals was made through stereotaxic administration of dopaminergic toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to the NAc in the Meth -sensitized mice. Meth behavioral sensitization was significantly antagonized after the lesioning. Brain tissue was collected for qRT-PCR analysis. Repeated administration of Meth increased the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), BDNF, and Shati, a marker for Meth sensitization, in the NAc. Treatment with 6-OHDA significantly antagonized the upregulation of TH and Shati. Taken together, these data suggest that local administration of 6-OHDA mitigated Meth sensitization in chronic Meth-treated animals. Our data support a new surgical treatment strategy for Meth abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chun Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Engineering, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsi Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Seong-Jin Yu
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Life Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yun Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Dong C, Tian Z, Zhang K, Chang L, Qu Y, Pu Y, Ren Q, Fujita Y, Ohgi Y, Futamura T, Hashimoto K. Increased BDNF-TrkB signaling in the nucleus accumbens plays a role in the risk for psychosis after cannabis exposure during adolescence. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 177:61-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Puhl MD, Desai RI, Takagi S, Presti KT, Doyle MR, Donahue RJ, Landino SM, Bergman J, Carlezon WA, Coyle JT. N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor co-agonist availability affects behavioral and neurochemical responses to cocaine: insights into comorbid schizophrenia and substance abuse. Addict Biol 2019; 24:40-50. [PMID: 29168271 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Both schizophrenia (SZ) and substance abuse (SA) exhibit significant heritability. Moreover, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of both SZ and SA. We hypothesize that the high prevalence of comorbid SA in SZ is due to dysfunction of NMDARs caused by shared risk genes. We used transgenic mice with a null mutation of the gene encoding serine racemase (SR), the enzyme that synthesizes the NMDAR co-agonist d-serine and an established risk gene for SZ, to recreate the pathology of SZ. We determined the effect of NMDAR hypofunction resulting from the absence of d-serine on motivated behavior by using intracranial self-stimulation and neurotransmitter release in the nucleus accumbens by using in vivo microdialysis. Compared with wild-type mice, SR-/- mice exhibited similar baseline intracranial self-stimulation thresholds but were less sensitive to the threshold-lowering (rewarding) and the performance-elevating (stimulant) effects of cocaine. While basal dopamine (DA) and glutamate release were elevated in the nucleus accumbens of SR-/- mice, cocaine-induced increases in DA and glutamate release were blunted. γ-Amino-butyric acid efflux was unaffected in the SR-/- mice. Together, these findings suggest that the impaired NMDAR function and a consequent decrease in sensitivity to cocaine effects on behavior are mediated by blunted DA and glutamate responses normally triggered by the drug. Projected to humans, NMDAR hypofunction due to mutations in SR or other genes impacting glutamatergic function in SZ may render abused substances less potent and effective, thus requiring higher doses to achieve a hedonic response, resulting in elevated drug exposure and increased dependence/addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Puhl
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Rajeev I. Desai
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Shunsuke Takagi
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences; Tokyo Medical and Dental University; Tokyo Japan
| | - Kendall T. Presti
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Michelle R. Doyle
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Rachel J. Donahue
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Behavioral Genetics Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Samantha M. Landino
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Behavioral Genetics Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Jack Bergman
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - William A. Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Behavioral Genetics Laboratory; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
| | - Joseph T. Coyle
- Department of Psychiatry; Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience; McLean Hospital; Belmont MA USA
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Ultimate Translation: Developing Therapeutics Targeting on N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2016; 76:257-309. [PMID: 27288080 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are broadly distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), where they mediate excitatory signaling. NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission (NMDARMN) is the molecular engine of learning, memory and cognition, which are the basis for high cortical function. NMDARMN is also critically involved in the development and plasticity of CNS. Due to its essential and critical role, either over- or under-activation of NMDARMN can contribute substantially to the development of CNS disorders. The involvement of NMDARMN has been demonstrated in a variety of CNS disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Several targets to "correct" or "reset" the NMDARMN in these CNS disorders have been identified and confirmed. With analogy to aminergic treatments, these targets include the glycine/d-serine co-agonist site, channel ionophore, glycine transporter-1, and d-amino acid oxidase. It is still early days in terms of developing novel therapeutics targeting the NMDAR. However, agents modulating NMDARMN hold promise as the next generation of CNS therapeutics.
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Kuo CC, Shen H, Harvey BK, Yu SJ, Kopajtic T, Hinkle JJ, Kyrkanides S, Katz JL, Wang Y. Differential modulation of methamphetamine-mediated behavioral sensitization by overexpression of Mu opioid receptors in nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:661-72. [PMID: 26554386 PMCID: PMC7336502 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4134-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Repeated administration of methamphetamine (Meth) induces behavioral sensitization which is characterized by a progressive increase in locomotor response after each injection. Previous studies have shown that Mu opioid receptors (MORs) can regulate Meth-mediated behavioral sensitization. However, the reported interactions are controversial; systemic activation of MORs either enhanced or suppressed Meth sensitization. It is possible that alteration of Meth sensitization after systemic administration of MOR ligands reflects the sum of distinct MOR reactions in multiple brain regions. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to examine the actions of MORs on Meth sensitization after regionally selective overexpression of human MOR through an AAV6-based gene delivery system. METHOD We demonstrated that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-MOR increased MOR immunoreactivity and binding in vitro. AAV-MOR or AAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) or ventral tegmental area (VTA) of adult mice. Two weeks after viral infection, animals received Meth or saline for five consecutive days. Locomotor behavior and striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) level were determined. RESULTS Repeated administration of Meth progressively increased locomotor activity; this sensitization reaction was attenuated by intra-NAc AAV-MOR microinjections. Infusion of AAV-MOR to VTA enhanced Meth sensitization. AAV-MOR significantly enhanced DA levels in VTA after VTA infection but reduced DOPAC/DA turnover in the NAc after NAc injection. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a differential modulation of Meth sensitization by overexpression of MOR in NAc and VTA. Regional manipulation of MOR expression through AAV may be a novel approach to control Meth abuse and psychomimetic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chung Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hui Shen
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Brandon K. Harvey
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Seong-Jin Yu
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan,Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Theresa Kopajtic
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Josh. J. Hinkle
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Stephanos Kyrkanides
- Department of Children’s Dentistry, Stony Brook University Health Science Center, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8701, USA
| | - Jonathan L. Katz
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yun Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan. .,Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Sun WL, Quizon PM, Zhu J. Molecular Mechanism: ERK Signaling, Drug Addiction, and Behavioral Effects. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:1-40. [PMID: 26809997 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Addiction to psychostimulants has been considered as a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by craving and compulsive drug seeking and use. Over the past two decades, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that repeated drug exposure causes long-lasting neurochemical and cellular changes that result in enduring neuroadaptation in brain circuitry and underlie compulsive drug consumption and relapse. Through intercellular signaling cascades, drugs of abuse induce remodeling in the rewarding circuitry that contributes to the neuroplasticity of learning and memory associated with addiction. Here, we review the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, and its related intracellular signaling pathways in drug-induced neuroadaptive changes that are associated with drug-mediated psychomotor activity, rewarding properties and relapse of drug seeking behaviors. We also discuss the neurobiological and behavioral effects of pharmacological and genetic interferences with ERK-associated molecular cascades in response to abused substances. Understanding the dynamic modulation of ERK signaling in response to drugs may provide novel molecular targets for therapeutic strategies to drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lun Sun
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Pamela M Quizon
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
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BDNF-TrkB signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell of mice has key role in methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e666. [PMID: 26506052 PMCID: PMC4930133 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a core symptom of methamphetamine (METH) withdrawal during the first several weeks of abstinence. However, the precise mechanisms underlying METH withdrawal symptoms remain unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its specific receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase (TrkB), have a role the in pathophysiology of depression. In this study, we examined the role of BDNF-TrkB signaling in different brain regions of male mice with METH withdrawal symptoms. Repeated METH (3 mg kg(-1) per day for 5 days) administration to mice caused a long-lasting depression-like behavior including anhedonia. Western blot analysis showed that BDNF levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of METH-treated mice were significantly higher than those of control mice whereas BDNF levels in other regions, including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, were not altered. METH-induced depression-like behavior, behavioral sensitization and dendritic changes in the NAc shell were improved by subsequent subchronic administration of TrkB antagonist ANA-12 (0.5 mg kg(-1) per day for 14 days), but not TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (10 mg kg(-1) per day for 14 days). In vivo microdialysis showed that METH (1 mg kg(-1))-induced dopamine release in NAc shell of METH-treated mice was attenuated after subsequent subchronic ANA-12 administration. Interestingly, a single bilateral infusion of ANA-12 into the NAc shell, but not NAc core, showed a rapid and long-lasting therapeutic effect. However, ketamine and paroxetine had no effect. These findings suggest that increased BDNF-TrkB signaling in the NAc shell has an important role in the behavioral abnormalities after withdrawal from repeated METH administration, and that TrkB antagonists are potential therapeutic drugs for withdrawal symptoms in METH abusers.
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Puhl MD, Berg AR, Bechtholt AJ, Coyle JT. Availability of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Coagonists Affects Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference and Locomotor Sensitization: Implications for Comorbid Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 353:465-70. [PMID: 25788713 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.223099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with high prevalence of substance abuse. Recent research suggests that dysregulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function may play a role in the pathophysiology of both schizophrenia and drug addiction, and thus, may account for this high comorbidity. Our laboratory has developed two transgenic mouse lines that exhibit contrasting NMDAR activity based on the availability of the glycine modulatory site (GMS) agonists d-serine and glycine. Glycine transporter 1 knockdowns (GlyT1(+/-)) exhibit NMDAR hyperfunction, whereas serine racemase knockouts (SR(-/-)) exhibit NMDAR hypofunction. We characterized the behavior of these lines in a cocaine-induced (20 mg/kg) conditioned place preference (CPP) and locomotor sensitization paradigm. Compared with wild-type mice, GlyT1(+/-) mice displayed hastened extinction of CPP and robust cocaine-induced reinstatement. SR(-/-) mice appeared to immediately "forget" the learned preference, because they did not exhibit cocaine-induced reinstatement and also displayed attenuated locomotor sensitization. Treatment of GlyT1(+/-) mice with gavestinel (10 mg/kg on day 1; 5 mg/kg on days 2-17), a GMS antagonist, attenuated cocaine-induced CPP and caused them to immediately "forget" the learned preference. Treatment of SR(-/-) mice with d-serine (300 mg/kg on day 1; 150 mg/kg on days 2-17) to normalize brain levels caused them to avoid the cocaine-paired side of the chamber during extinction. These results highlight NMDAR dysfunction as a possible neural mechanism underlying comorbid schizophrenia and substance abuse. Also, these findings suggest drugs that directly or indirectly activate the NMDAR GMS could be an effective treatment of cocaine abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Puhl
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (M.D.P., A.R.B., A.J.B., J.T.C.), and Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience (M.D.P., A.R.B., J.T.C.) and Behavioral Genetics Laboratory (A.J.B.), McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Alexandra R Berg
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (M.D.P., A.R.B., A.J.B., J.T.C.), and Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience (M.D.P., A.R.B., J.T.C.) and Behavioral Genetics Laboratory (A.J.B.), McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Anita J Bechtholt
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (M.D.P., A.R.B., A.J.B., J.T.C.), and Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience (M.D.P., A.R.B., J.T.C.) and Behavioral Genetics Laboratory (A.J.B.), McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph T Coyle
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (M.D.P., A.R.B., A.J.B., J.T.C.), and Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience (M.D.P., A.R.B., J.T.C.) and Behavioral Genetics Laboratory (A.J.B.), McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
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Hashimoto K. Targeting of NMDA receptors in new treatments for schizophrenia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:1049-63. [PMID: 24965576 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.934225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Implication of NMDA receptors in behavioural sensitization to psychostimulants: A short review. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 730:77-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Hashimoto K, Malchow B, Falkai P, Schmitt A. Glutamate modulators as potential therapeutic drugs in schizophrenia and affective disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2013; 263:367-77. [PMID: 23455590 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-013-0399-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are related to cognitive and negative symptoms, which often are resistant to current treatment approaches. The glutamatergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and affective disorders. A key component is the dysfunction of the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Substances regulating activation/inhibition of the NMDA receptor have been investigated in schizophrenia and major depression and are promising in therapeutic approaches of negative symptoms, cognition, and mood. In schizophrenia, add-on treatments with glycine, D-serine, D-alanine, D-cycloserine, D-amino acid oxidase inhibitors, glycine transporter-1 (GlyT-1) inhibitors (e.g., sarcosine, bitopertin) and agonists (e.g., LY2140023) or positive allosteric modulator (e.g., ADX71149) of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been studied. In major depression, the NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., ketamine, AZD6765), GluN2B subtype antagonists (e.g., traxoprodil, MK-0657), and partial agonists (e.g., D-cycloserine, GLYX-13) at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor have been proven to be effective in animal studies and first clinical trials. In addition, clinical studies of mGluR2/3 antagonist BCI-838 (a prodrug of BCI-632 (MGS0039)), mGluR2/3-negative allosteric modulators (NMAs) (e.g., RO499819, RO4432717), and mGluR5 NAMs (e.g., AZD2066, RO4917523) are in progress. Future investigations should include effects on brain structure and activation to elucidate neural mechanisms underlying efficacy of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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Wen D, Zang G, Sun D, Yang S, Yu F, Li S, Ma C, Cong B. Effects of CCK-8 on the reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP and expression of behavioral sensitization in rats. Neuroscience 2013; 238:230-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Curcio L, Podda MV, Leone L, Piacentini R, Mastrodonato A, Cappelletti P, Sacchi S, Pollegioni L, Grassi C, D'Ascenzo M. Reduced D-serine levels in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine-treated rats hinder the induction of NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 136:1216-30. [PMID: 23518710 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine seeking behaviour and relapse have been linked to impaired potentiation and depression at excitatory synapses in the nucleus accumbens, but the mechanism underlying this process is poorly understood. We show that, in the rat nucleus accumbens core, D-serine is the endogenous coagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and its presence is essential for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent potentiation and depression of synaptic transmission. Nucleus accumbens core slices obtained from cocaine-treated rats after 1 day of abstinence presented significantly reduced D-serine concentrations, increased expression of the D-serine degrading enzyme, D-amino acid oxidase, and downregulated expression of serine racemase, the enzyme responsible for D-serine synthesis. The D-serine deficit was associated with impairment of potentiation and depression of glutamatergic synaptic transmission, which was restored by slice perfusion with exogenous D-serine. Furthermore, in vivo administration of D-serine directly into the nucleus accumbens core blocked behavioural sensitization to cocaine. These results provide evidence for a critical role of D-serine signalling in synaptic plasticity relevant to cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Curcio
- Institute of Human Physiology, Medical School, Università Cattolica, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Wolosker H, Mori H. Serine racemase: an unconventional enzyme for an unconventional transmitter. Amino Acids 2012; 43:1895-904. [PMID: 22847782 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1370-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of large amounts of D-serine in the brain challenged the dogma that only L-amino acids are relevant for eukaryotes. The levels of D-serine in the brain are higher than many L-amino acids and account for as much as one-third of L-serine levels. Several studies in the last decades have demonstrated a role of D-serine as an endogenous agonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). D-Serine is required for NMDAR activity during normal neurotransmission as well as NMDAR overactivation that takes place in neurodegenerative conditions. Still, there are many unanswered questions about D-serine neurobiology, including regulation of its synthesis, release and metabolism. Here, we review the mechanisms of D-serine synthesis by serine racemase and discuss the lessons we can learn from serine racemase knockout mice, focusing on the roles attributed to D-serine and its cellular origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Wolosker
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
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