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Kohtz AS, Zhao J, Aston-Jones G. Serotonin Signaling in Hippocampus during Initial Cocaine Abstinence Drives Persistent Drug Seeking. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1505212024. [PMID: 38514181 PMCID: PMC11044100 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1505-21.2024] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The initiation of abstinence after chronic drug self-administration is stressful. Cocaine-seeking behavior on the first day of the absence of the expected drug (Extinction Day 1, ED1) is reduced by blocking 5-HT signaling in dorsal hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) in both male and female rats. We hypothesized that the experience of ED1 can substantially influence later relapse behavior and that dorsal raphe (DR) serotonin (5-HT) input to CA1 may be involved. We inhibited 5-HT1A/1B receptors (WAY-100635 plus GR-127935), or DR input (chemogenetics), in CA1 on ED1 to test the role of this pathway on cocaine-seeking persistence 2 weeks later. We also inhibited 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptors in CA1 during conditioned place preference (CPP) for cocaine, to examine mechanisms involved in the persistent effects of ED1 manipulations. Inhibition of DR inputs, or 5-HT1A/1B signaling, in CA1 decreased drug seeking on ED1 and decreased cocaine seeking 2 weeks later revealing that 5-HT signaling in CA1 during ED1 contributes to persistent drug seeking during abstinence. In addition, 5-HT1B antagonism alone transiently decreased drug-associated memory performance when given prior to a CPP test, whereas similar antagonism of 5-HT1A alone had no such effect but blocked CPP retrieval on a test 24 h later. These CPP findings are consistent with prior work showing that DR inputs to CA1 augment recall of the drug-associated context and drug seeking via 5-HT1B receptors and prevent consolidation of the updated nondrug context via 5-HT1A receptors. Thus, treatments that modulate 5-HT-dependent memory mechanisms in CA1 during initial abstinence may facilitate later maintenance of abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Kohtz
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216
| | - Joshua Zhao
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
| | - Gary Aston-Jones
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
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Carter JS, Costa CC, Kearns AM, Reichel CM. Inhibition of Estradiol Signaling in the Basolateral Amygdala Impairs Extinction Memory Recall for Heroin-Conditioned Cues in a Sex-Specific Manner. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 114:207-222. [PMID: 37848008 PMCID: PMC10922099 DOI: 10.1159/000534647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Relapse is a major treatment barrier for opioid use disorder. Environmental cues become associated with the rewarding effects of opioids and can precipitate relapse, even after numerous unreinforced cue presentations, due to deficits in extinction memory recall (EMR). Estradiol (E2) modulates EMR of fear-related cues, but it is unknown whether E2 impacts EMR of reward cues and what brain region(s) are responsible for E2s effects. Here, we hypothesize that inhibition of E2 signaling in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) will impair EMR of a heroin-associated cue in both male and female rats. METHODS We pharmacologically manipulated E2 signaling to characterize the role of E2 in the BLA on heroin-cue EMR. Following heroin self-administration, during which a light/tone cue was co-presented with each heroin infusion, rats underwent cued extinction to extinguish the conditioned association between the light/tone and heroin. During extinction, E2 signaling in the BLA was blocked by an aromatase inhibitor or specific estrogen receptor (ER) antagonists. The next day, subjects underwent a cued test to assess heroin-cue EMR. RESULTS In both experiments, females took more heroin than males (mg/kg) and had higher operant responding during cued extinction. Inhibition of E2 synthesis in the BLA impaired heroin-cue EMR in both sexes. Notably, E2s actions are mediated by different ER mechanisms, ERα in males but ERβ in females. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to demonstrate a behavioral role for centrally-produced E2 in the BLA and that E2 also impacts EMR of reward-associated stimuli in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S. Carter
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Caitlyn C. Costa
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Angela M. Kearns
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Carmela M. Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Kielbinski M, Bernacka J, Zajda K, Wawrzczak-Bargieła A, Maćkowiak M, Przewlocki R, Solecki W. Acute stress modulates noradrenergic signaling in the ventral tegmental area-amygdalar circuit. J Neurochem 2023; 164:598-612. [PMID: 36161462 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15698] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Noradrenergic neurotransmission is a critical mediator of stress responses. In turn, exposure to stress induces noradrenergic system adaptations, some of which are implicated in the etiology of stress-related disorders. Adrenergic receptors (ARs) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been demonstrated to regulate phasic dopamine (DA) release in the forebrain, necessary for behavioral responses to conditional cues. However, the impact of stress on noradrenergic modulation of the VTA has not been previously explored. We demonstrate that ARs in the VTA regulate dopaminergic activity in the VTA-BLA (basolateral amygdala) circuit, a key system for processing stress-related stimuli; and that such control is altered by acute stress. We utilized fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to assess the effects of intra-VTA microinfusion of α1 -AR and α2 -AR antagonists (terazosin and RX-821002, respectively), on electrically evoked phasic DA release in the BLA in stress-naïve and stressed (unavoidable electric shocks - UES) anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we used western blotting to explore UES-induced alterations in AR protein level in the VTA. Intra-VTA terazosin or RX-821002 dose-dependently attenuated DA release in the BLA. Interestingly, UES decreased the effects of intra-VTA α2 -AR blockade on DA release (24 h but not 7 days after stress), while the effects of terazosin were unchanged. Despite changes in α2 -AR physiological function in the VTA, UES did not alter α2 -AR protein levels in either intracellular or membrane fractions. These findings demonstrate that NA-ergic modulation of the VTA-BLA circuit undergoes significant alterations in response to acute stress, with α2 -AR signaling indicated as a key target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kielbinski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Bernacka
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland.,Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zajda
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wawrzczak-Bargieła
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marzena Maćkowiak
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewlocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
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4
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Joanna B, Michal K, Agnieszka WB, Katarzyna Z, Marzena M, Ryszard P, Wojciech S. Alpha-2A but not 2B/C noradrenergic receptors in ventral tegmental area regulate phasic dopamine release in nucleus accumbens core. Neuropharmacology 2022; 220:109258. [PMID: 36116534 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109258] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adrenergic receptors (AR) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) modulate local neuronal activity and, as a consequence, dopamine (DA) release in the mesolimbic forebrain. Such modulation has functional significance: intra-VTA blockade of α1-AR attenuates behavioral responses to salient environmental stimuli in rat models of drug seeking and conditioned fear as well as phasic DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In contrast, α2-AR in the VTA has been suggested to act primarily as autoreceptors, limiting local noradrenergic input. The regulation of noradrenaline efflux by α2-AR could be of clinical interest, as α2-AR agonists are proposed as promising pharmacological tools in the treatment of PTSD and substance use disorder. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the subtype-specificity of α2-ARs in the VTA capable of modulating phasic DA release. We used fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in anaesthetized male rats to measure DA release in the NAc after combined electrical stimulation and infusion of selected α2-AR antagonists into the VTA. Intra-VTA microinfusion of idazoxan - a non-subtype-specific α2-AR antagonist, as well as BRL-44408 - a selective α2A-AR antagonist, attenuated electrically-evoked DA in the NAc. In contrast, local administration of JP-1302 or imiloxan (α2B- and α2C-AR antagonists, respectively) had no effect. The effect of BRL-44408 on DA release was attenuated by intra-VTA DA D2 antagonist (raclopride) pre-administration. Finally, we confirmed the presence of α2A-AR protein in the VTA using western blotting. In conclusion, these data specify α2A-, but not α2B- or α2C-AR as the receptor subtype controlling NA release in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernacka Joanna
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland; Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kielbinski Michal
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wawrzczak-Bargieła Agnieszka
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zajda Katarzyna
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maćkowiak Marzena
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Przewlocki Ryszard
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Solecki Wojciech
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland.
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Jensen KL, Jensen SB, Madsen KL. A mechanistic overview of approaches for the treatment of psychostimulant dependence. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:854176. [PMID: 36160447 PMCID: PMC9493975 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.854176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulant use disorder is a major health issue around the world with enormous individual, family-related and societal consequences, yet there are no effective pharmacological treatments available. In this review, a target-based overview of pharmacological treatments toward psychostimulant addiction will be presented. We will go through therapeutic approaches targeting different aspects of psychostimulant addiction with focus on three major areas; 1) drugs targeting signalling, and metabolism of the dopamine system, 2) drugs targeting either AMPA receptors or metabotropic glutamate receptors of the glutamate system and 3) drugs targeting the severe side-effects of quitting long-term psychostimulant use. For each of these major modes of intervention, findings from pre-clinical studies in rodents to clinical trials in humans will be listed, and future perspectives of the different treatment strategies as well as their potential side-effects will be discussed. Pharmaceuticals modulating the dopamine system, such as antipsychotics, DAT-inhibitors, and disulfiram, have shown some promising results. Cognitive enhancers have been found to increase aspects of behavioural control, and drugs targeting the glutamate system such as modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors and AMPA receptors have provided interesting changes in relapse behaviour. Furthermore, CRF-antagonists directed toward alleviating the symptoms of the withdrawal stage have been examined with interesting resulting changes in behaviour. There are promising results investigating therapeutics for psychostimulant addiction, but further preclinical work and additional human studies with a more stratified patient selection are needed to prove sufficient evidence of efficacy and tolerability.
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Solecki WB, Kielbinski M, Wilczkowski M, Zajda K, Karwowska K, Joanna B, Rajfur Z, Przewłocki R. Regulation of cocaine seeking behavior by locus coeruleus noradrenergic activity in the ventral tegmental area is time- and contingency-dependent. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:967969. [PMID: 35992934 PMCID: PMC9388848 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.967969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is linked to impairments in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) reward system. Noradrenergic (NA) inputs from locus coeruleus (LC) into VTA have been shown to modulate VTA neuronal activity, and are implicated in psychostimulant effects. Phasic LC activity controls time- and context-sensitive processes: decision making, cognitive flexibility, motivation and attention. However, it is not yet known how such temporally-distinct LC activity contributes to cocaine seeking. In a previous study we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of NA signaling in VTA specifically attenuates cocaine-seeking. Here, we used virally-delivered opsins to target LC neurons for inhibition or excitation, delivered onto afferents in VTA of male rats seeking cocaine under extinction conditions. Optogenetic stimulation or inhibition was delivered in distinct conditions: upon active lever press, contingently with discreet cues; or non-contingently, i.e., throughout the cocaine seeking session. Non-contingent inhibition of LC noradrenergic terminals in VTA attenuated cocaine seeking under extinction conditions. In contrast, contingent inhibition increased, while contingent stimulation reduced cocaine seeking. These findings were specific for cocaine, but not natural reward (food) seeking. Our results show that NA release in VTA drives behavior depending on timing and contingency between stimuli – context, discreet conditioned cues and reinforcer availability. We show that, depending on those factors, noradrenergic signaling in VTA has opposing roles, either driving CS-induced drug seeking, or contributing to behavioral flexibility and thus extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech B. Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- *Correspondence: Wojciech B. Solecki,
| | - Michał Kielbinski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Wilczkowski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zajda
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Karwowska
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Bernacka Joanna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Department of Biosystems Physics, Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewłocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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Carter JS, Kearns AM, Reichel CM. Complex Interactions Between Sex and Stress on Heroin Seeking. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:784365. [PMID: 34955731 PMCID: PMC8702641 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.784365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Stress plays a dual role in substance use disorders as a precursor to drug intake and a relapse precipitant. With heroin use at epidemic proportions in the United States, understanding interactions between stress disorders and opioid use disorder is vital and will aid in treatment of these frequently comorbid conditions. Objectives: Here, we combine assays of stress and contingent heroin self-administration (SA) to study behavioral adaptations in response to stress and heroin associated cues in male and female rats. Methods: Rats underwent acute restraint stress paired with an odor stimulus and heroin SA for subsequent analysis of stress and heroin cue reactivity. Lofexidine was administered during heroin SA and reinstatement testing to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Rats also underwent tests on the elevated plus maze, locomotor activity in a novel environment, and object recognition memory following stress and/or heroin. Results: A history of stress and heroin resulted in disrupted behavior on multiple levels. Stress rats avoided the stress conditioned stimulus and reinstated heroin seeking in response to it, with males reinstating to a greater extent than females. Lofexidine decreased heroin intake, reinstatement, and motor activity. Previous heroin exposure increased time spent in the closed arms of an elevated plus maze, activity in a round novel field, and resulted in object recognition memory deficits. Discussion: These studies report that a history of stress and heroin results in maladaptive coping strategies and suggests a need for future studies seeking to understand circuits recruited in this pathology and eventually help develop therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carmela M. Reichel
- Reichel Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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8
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Individual differences in dopamine uptake in the dorsomedial striatum prior to cocaine exposure predict motivation for cocaine in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1757-1767. [PMID: 33953341 PMCID: PMC8357974 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A major theme of addiction research has focused on the neural substrates of individual differences in the risk for addiction; however, little is known about how vulnerable populations differ from those that are relatively protected. Here, we prospectively measured dopamine (DA) neurotransmission prior to cocaine exposure to predict the onset and course of cocaine use. Using in vivo voltammetry, we first generated baseline profiles of DA release and uptake in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and nucleus accumbens of drug-naïve male rats prior to exposing them to cocaine using conditioned place preference (CPP) or operant self-administration. We found that the innate rate of DA uptake in the DMS strongly predicted motivation for cocaine and drug-primed reinstatement, but not CPP, responding when "price" was low, or extinction. We then assessed the impact of baseline variations in DA uptake on cocaine potency in the DMS using ex vivo voltammetry in naïve rats and in rats with DA transporter (DAT) knockdown. DA uptake in the DMS of naïve rats predicted the neurochemical response to cocaine, such that rats with innately faster rates of DA uptake demonstrated higher cocaine potency at the DAT and rats with DAT knockdown displayed reduced potency compared to controls. Together, these data demonstrate that inherent variability in DA uptake in the DMS predicts the behavioral response to cocaine, potentially by altering the apparent potency of cocaine.
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9
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Alpha1-adrenergic receptor blockade in the ventral tegmental area modulates conditional stimulus-induced cocaine seeking. Neuropharmacology 2019; 158:107680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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10
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Aqueous Extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Exerts Anxiolytic Effects during Nicotine Withdrawal via Improvement of Amygdaloid CRF/CRF1R Signaling. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:2419183. [PMID: 30245730 PMCID: PMC6139233 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2419183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety during nicotine withdrawal (NicW) is a key risk factor for smoking relapse. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), which is a prototypical hypnotic-sedative herb in Oriental medicine, has been clinically used to treat insomnia and general anxiety disorders for thousands of years. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of SZS (AESZS) on NicW-induced anxiety in male rats that received subcutaneous administrations of nicotine (Nic) (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 d followed by 4 d of withdrawal. During NicW, the rats received four intragastric treatments of AESZS (60 mg/kg/d or 180 mg/kg/d). AESZS dose-dependently attenuated NicW-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) tests and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS inhibited NicW-induced increases in plasma corticosterone. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type 1 receptor (CRF1R) increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) during NicW, but these changes were suppressed by 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. A post-AESZS infusion of CRF into the CeA abolished the attenuation of anxiety by AESZS and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS suppressed NicW-induced increases in norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the CeA. The present results suggest that AESZS ameliorated NicW-induced anxiety via improvements in CRF/CRF1R and noradrenergic signaling in the CeA.
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11
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Kohtz AS, Lin B, Smith ME, Aston-Jones G. Attenuated cocaine-seeking after oxytocin administration in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:2051-2063. [PMID: 29671014 PMCID: PMC6015788 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4902-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Initial drug abstinence (modeled here as Extinction Day 1, ED1) is a critical time point in the progression of addiction that is strongly influenced by stress and sex. ED1 induces corticosterone release in both sexes, and cocaine-seeking during ED1 can be mitigated by corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) antagonists more effectively in female rats. Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that has several biological functions, including regulation of stress pathways. METHODS To investigate a relationship between OXT, sex, and cocaine-seeking, we examined Fos on ED1 in OXT neurons of paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) compared to homecage (cocaine experienced) or naïve male and female rats. We also administered OXT 30 min prior to ED1 testing or cued reinstatement testing. RESULTS OXT neurons had decreased activity (as reflected by Fos protein) in PVN and SON on withdrawal day 1 (homecage) compared to naïve rats. Fos in OXT neurons was further decreased on ED1, compared to homecage controls, in both males and females even though in SON, cocaine exposure increased the number of OXT-expressing neurons. In addition, systemically administered OXT reduced cocaine-seeking during ED1 and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking but delayed extinction, similarly among male and female rats. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that OXT neurons in PVN and SON may be involved in cocaine-seeking during ED1 and support OXT as a possible therapeutic to decrease cocaine-seeking during initial abstinence and in response to cocaine-associated cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S. Kohtz
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Belle Lin
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | | | - Gary Aston-Jones
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, RWJMS Research Building Rm. 259, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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12
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Wright KN, Kabbaj M. Sex differences in sub-anesthetic ketamine's antidepressant effects and abuse liability. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018; 23:36-41. [PMID: 30038955 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sub-anesthetic ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects in patients with bipolar and unipolar major depression where conventional monoaminergic-based antidepressant drugs have been ineffective or ridden with side effects. A single ketamine infusion can produce antidepressant effects lasting up to two weeks, and multiple ketamine infusions prolong this effect. Pre-clinical studies are underway to uncover ketamine's mechanisms of action, but there are still many questions unanswered regarding the safety of its long-term use. Abuse liability is one area of concern, as recreational ketamine use is an ongoing issue in many parts of the world. Another understudied area is sex differences in responsivity to ketamine. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, and they progress through stages of drug addiction more rapidly than their male counterparts. Despite this, preclinical studies in ketamine's antidepressant and addictive-like behaviors in females are limited. These intersecting factors in recent clinical and pre-clinical studies are reviewed to characterize ketamine's therapeutic potential, its limitations, and its potential mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine N Wright
- Florida State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Florida State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Tallahassee, FL
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13
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McRae-Clark AL, Cason AM, Kohtz AS, Moran Santa-Maria M, Aston-Jones G, Brady KT. Impact of gender on corticotropin-releasing factor and noradrenergic sensitivity in cocaine use disorder. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:320-327. [PMID: 27870396 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Responses to stress may be important in understanding gender differences in substance use disorders and may also be a target for development of treatment interventions. A growing body of both preclinical and clinical research supports important underlying gender differences in the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and noradrenergic systems, which may contribute to drug use. Preclinical models have demonstrated increased sensitivity of females to CRF and noradrenergic-induced drug reinstatement compared with males, and, consistent with these findings, human laboratory studies have demonstrated greater sensitivity to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and noradrenergic stimulation in cocaine-dependent women compared with men. Furthermore, neuroimaging studies have demonstrated increased neural response to stressful stimuli in cocaine-dependent women compared with men as well as showing significant sex differences in the sensitivity of brain regions responsible for regulating the response to CRH. Development of interventions targeting the noradrenergic system and stress response in drug-dependent individuals could have important clinical implications for both women and men. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Angie M Cason
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Amy S Kohtz
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | | | - Gary Aston-Jones
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Kathleen T Brady
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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