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Peterson L, Nguyen J, Ghani N, Rodriguez-Echemendia P, Qiao H, Guwn SY, Man HY, Kantak KM. Molecular mechanisms underlying sex and treatment-dependent differences in an animal model of cue-exposure therapy for cocaine relapse prevention. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1425447. [PMID: 39176383 PMCID: PMC11339646 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1425447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment combined with the glycine transporter-1 inhibitor Org24598 (EE+ORG) during cocaine-cue extinction (EXT) inhibited reacquisition of 1.0 mg/kg cocaine self-administration in male but not female rats in a previous investigation. In this investigation, we determined if this treatment benefit in males required EXT training and ascertained the molecular basis for the observed sex difference in treatment efficacy. Nine groups of male rats trained to self-administer 1.0 mg/kg cocaine or receiving yoked-saline underwent EXT or NoEXT with or without EE and/or ORG. Next, they underwent reacquisition of cocaine self-administration or were sacrificed for molecular analysis of 9 protein targets indicative of neuroplasticity in four brain regions. Two groups of female rats trained to self-administer 1.0 mg/kg cocaine also underwent EXT with or without EE + ORG and were sacrificed for molecular analysis, as above. EE + ORG facilitated the rate of EXT learning in both sexes, and importantly, the therapeutic benefit of EE + ORG for inhibiting cocaine relapse required EXT training. Males were more sensitive than females to neuroplasticity-inducing effects of EE + ORG, which prevented reductions in total GluA1 and PSD95 proteins selectively in basolateral amygdala of male rats trained to self-administer cocaine and receiving EXT. Females were deficient in expression of multiple protein targets, especially after EE + ORG. These included total GluA1 and PSD95 proteins in basolateral amygdala, and total TrkB protein in basolateral amygdala, dorsal hippocampus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Together, these results support the clinical view that sex-specific pharmacological and behavioral treatment approaches may be needed during cue exposure therapy to inhibit cocaine relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan Nguyen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Naveed Ghani
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Hui Qiao
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sun Young Guwn
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Kantak
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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Driskill CM, Childs JE, Phensy AJ, Rodriguez SR, O'Brien JT, Lindquist KL, Naderi A, Bordieanu B, McGinty JF, Kroener S. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Modulates Synaptic Plasticity in the Infralimbic Cortex via Trk-B Receptor Activation to Reduce Drug-Seeking in Male Rats. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0107242024. [PMID: 38719446 PMCID: PMC11154660 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0107-24.2024] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Drugs of abuse cause changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and associated regions that impair inhibitory control over drug-seeking. Breaking the contingencies between drug-associated cues and the delivery of the reward during extinction learning reduces relapse. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has previously been shown to enhance extinction learning and reduce drug-seeking. Here we determined the effects of VNS-mediated release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on extinction and cue-induced reinstatement in male rats trained to self-administer cocaine. Pairing 10 d of extinction training with VNS facilitated extinction and reduced drug-seeking behavior during reinstatement. Rats that received a single extinction session with VNS showed elevated BDNF levels in the medial PFC as determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Systemic blockade of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptors during extinction, via the TrkB antagonist ANA-12, decreased the effects of VNS on extinction and reinstatement. Whole-cell recordings in brain slices showed that cocaine self-administration induced alterations in the ratio of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents in Layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic cortex (IL). Pairing extinction with VNS reversed cocaine-induced changes in glutamatergic transmission by enhancing AMPAR currents, and this effect was blocked by ANA-12. Our study suggests that VNS consolidates the extinction of drug-seeking behavior by reversing drug-induced changes in synaptic AMPA receptors in the IL, and this effect is abolished by blocking TrkB receptors during extinction, highlighting a potential mechanism for the therapeutic effects of VNS in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Driskill
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Jessica E Childs
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Aarron J Phensy
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Sierra R Rodriguez
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - John T O'Brien
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Kathy L Lindquist
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Aurian Naderi
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Sven Kroener
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
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3
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Driskill CM, Childs JE, Phensy AJ, Rodriguez SR, O’Brien JT, Lindquist KL, Naderi A, Bordieanu B, McGinty JF, Kroener S. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) modulates synaptic plasticity in the rat infralimbic cortex via Trk-B receptor activation to reduce drug-seeking. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.25.577293. [PMID: 38328140 PMCID: PMC10849650 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse cause changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and associated regions that impair inhibitory control over drug-seeking. Breaking the contingencies between drug-associated cues and the delivery of the reward during extinction learning reduces relapse. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has previously been shown to enhance extinction learning and reduce drug-seeking. Here we determined the effects of VNS-mediated release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on extinction and cue-induced reinstatement in rats trained to self-administer cocaine. Pairing 10 days of extinction training with VNS facilitated extinction and reduced drug-seeking behavior during reinstatement. Rats that received a single extinction session with VNS showed elevated BDNF levels in the medial PFC as determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Systemic blockade of Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptors during extinction, via the TrkB antagonist ANA-12, decreased the effects of VNS on extinction and reinstatement. Whole-cell recordings in brain slices showed that cocaine self-administration induced alterations in the ratio of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents in layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic cortex (IL). Pairing extinction with VNS reversed cocaine-induced changes in glutamatergic transmission by enhancing AMPAR currents, and this effect was blocked by ANA-12. Our study suggests that VNS consolidates extinction of drug-seeking behavior by reversing drug-induced changes in synaptic AMPA receptors in the IL, and this effect is abolished by blocking TrkB receptors during extinction, highlighting a potential mechanism for the therapeutic effects of VNS in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Driskill
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Jessica E. Childs
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Aarron J. Phensy
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Sierra R. Rodriguez
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - John T. O’Brien
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Kathy L. Lindquist
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Aurian Naderi
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Jacqueline F. McGinty
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Sven Kroener
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
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Beasley MM, Tunstall BJ, Kearns DN. Intermittent access cocaine self-administration produces context-specific escalation and increased motivation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 245:109797. [PMID: 36801708 PMCID: PMC10033440 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The intermittent-access (IntA) self-administration procedure has been reported to produce intensified addiction-like behavior compared to continuous-access (ContA) procedures. In a common variation of the IntA procedure, cocaine is available for 5 min at the beginning of each half hour of a 6-h session. In contrast, during ContA procedures, cocaine is available continuously throughout a session, typically lasting one or more hours. Previous studies comparing procedures have used between-subjects designs, where separate groups of rats self-administer cocaine on either IntA or ContA procedures. The present study used a within-subjects design where subjects self-administered cocaine on the IntA procedure in one context and self-administered cocaine on the continuous short-access (ShA) procedure in another context during separate sessions. Across sessions, rats escalated cocaine intake in the IntA, but not ShA, context. Following sessions eight and 11, rats were administered a progressive ratio test in each context to monitor the change in cocaine motivation. Rats obtained more cocaine infusions on the progressive ratio test in the IntA context than in the ShA context following 11 sessions. These results suggest that addiction-like behaviors following IntA self-administration may be influenced by context-specific learning factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brendan J Tunstall
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - David N Kearns
- Psychology Department, American University, Washington, DC, USA
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5
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Beasley MM, Gunawan T, Tunstall BJ, Kearns DN. Intermittent access training produces greater motivation for a non-drug reinforcer than long access training. Learn Behav 2022; 50:509-523. [PMID: 35132517 PMCID: PMC10237344 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-022-00512-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been proposed that the intermittent access (IntA) drug self-administration procedure better produces behavioral changes relevant to addiction than the long access (LgA) procedure. In this version of the IntA procedure, the drug is made available for a 5-min period during each half hour of a 6-h session. In contrast, on the LgA procedure, the drug is available continuously for 6 h. Previous studies have found that IntA drug self-administration produces greater drug motivation, measured by increased progressive ratio breakpoints, than LgA self-administration. It has been hypothesized that this effect is due to the rapid, "spiking" brain levels of the drug, and consequent neuroadaptations, experienced by rats during IntA sessions. However, no study has compared the effects of IntA versus LgA training on reinforcer motivation when using a non-drug reinforcer. The present study compared motivation for a saccharin reinforcer after IntA or LgA training. In Experiment 1, separate groups of rats lever-pressed for saccharin on the IntA or LgA procedures. In Experiment 2, a within-subjects design was used where rats pressed one lever on the IntA procedure and another lever on the LgA procedure for saccharin. In both experiments, IntA training produced greater breakpoints than LgA training. As no drug was used here, spiking drug levels could not have been responsible for the increased saccharin motivation observed after IntA training. Instead, it is proposed that differences in stimulus-reinforcer associations learned during IntA versus LgA training may be responsible for the effect. Future research is needed to determine the extent to which such learning factors may contribute to the increased motivation observed after IntA training with drug reinforcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Beasley
- Psychology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA.
| | - Tommy Gunawan
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, NIH/NIAAA, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brendan J Tunstall
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - David N Kearns
- Psychology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA
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6
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Targa G, Verheij MMM, Homberg J, Fumagalli F. Long access to cocaine self-administration dysregulates the glutamate synapse in the nucleus accumbens core of serotonin transporter knockout rats. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:4254-4264. [PMID: 33880773 PMCID: PMC9544393 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is well established that the nucleus accumbens and glutamate play a critical role in the motivation to take drugs of abuse. We have previously demonstrated that rats with ablation of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT-/- rats) show increased cocaine intake reminiscent of compulsivity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH By comparing SERT-/- to SERT+/+ rats, we set out to explore whether SERT deletion influences glutamate neurotransmission under control conditions as well as after short access (1 h/session) or long access (6 h/session) to cocaine self-administration. KEY RESULTS Rats were killed at 24 h after the final self-administration session for ex vivo molecular analyses of the glutamate system (vesicular and glial transporters, post-synaptic subunits of NMDA and AMPA receptors and their related scaffolding proteins). Such analyses were undertaken in the nucleus accumbens core. In cocaine-naïve animals, SERT deletion evoked widespread abnormalities in markers of glutamatergic neurotransmission that, overall, indicate a reduction of glutamate signalling. These results suggest that 5-HT is pivotal for the maintenance of accumbal glutamate homeostasis. We also found that SERT deletion altered glutamate homeostasis mainly after long access, but not short access, to cocaine. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings reveal that SERT deletion may sensitize the glutamatergic synapses of the nucleus accumbens core to the long access but not short access, intake of cocaine. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on New discoveries and perspectives in mental and pain disorders. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.17/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Michel M. M. Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Judith Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
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McGinty JF. BDNF as a therapeutic candidate for cocaine use disorders. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100006. [PMID: 37206683 PMCID: PMC10195100 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine self-administration disturbs intracellular signaling in multiple reward circuitry neurons that underlie relapse to drug seeking. Cocaine-induced deficits in prelimbic (PL) prefrontal cortex change during abstinence, resulting in different neuroadaptations during early withdrawal from cocaine self-administration than after one or more weeks of abstinence. Infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the PL cortex immediately following a final session of cocaine self-administration attenuates relapse to cocaine seeking for an extended period. BDNF affects local (PL) and distal subcortical target areas that mediate cocaine-induced neuroadaptations that lead to cocaine seeking. Blocking synaptic activity selectively in the PL projection to the nucleus accumbens during early withdrawal prevents BDNF from decreasing subsequent relapse. In contrast, blocking synaptic activity selectively in the PL projection to the paraventricular thalamic nucleus by itself decreases subsequent relapse and prior intra-PL BDNF infusion prevents the decrease. Infusion of BDNF into other brain structures at different timepoints after cocaine self administration differentially alters cocaine seeking. Thus, the effects of BDNF on drug seeking are different depending on the brain region, the timepoint of intervention, and the specific pathway that is affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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8
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Targa G, Verheij MMM, Fumagalli F, Homberg JR. Responsivity of serotonin transporter knockout rats to short and long access to cocaine: modulation of the glutamate signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3727-3739. [PMID: 35174489 PMCID: PMC9310702 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose It has been well established that glutamate in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a critical role in the motivation to take drugs of abuse. We have previously demonstrated that rats with ablation of the serotonin transporter (SERT−/− rats) show increased cocaine intake reminiscent of compulsivity. Experimental Approach By comparing SERT−/− to SERT+/+ rats, we investigated whether SERT deletion influences glutamate homeostasis under control conditions as well as after short access (ShA: 1 h per session) or long access (LgA: 6 h per session) to cocaine self‐administration. Rats were killed at 24 h after the last self‐administration session for ex vivo molecular analyses of the main determinants of the glutamate system, including transporters (vesicular and glial), receptors (main post‐synaptic subunits of NMDA and AMPA receptors together with the metabotropic subunit mGLUR5), and scaffolding proteins (SAP102, SAP97, and GRIP) in the NAc shell (sNAc) Key Results In cocaine‐naive animals, SERT deletion was associated with changes indicative for a reduction in glutamate signalling. ShA and LgA exposure led to a further dysregulation of the glutamatergic synapse. Conclusion SERT deletion may render the glutamatergic synapses of the NAc shell more responsive to both ShA and LgA intake of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
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Grieder TE, Yee M, Vargas-Perez H, Maal-Bared G, George S, Ting-A-Kee R, George O, van der Kooy D. Administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ventral tegmental area produces a switch from a nicotine nondependent D1R-mediated motivational state to a nicotine dependent-like D2R-mediated motivational state. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:714-724. [PMID: 34963197 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the transition from a nondependent motivational state to a drug-dependent and -withdrawn motivational state. Chronic nicotine can increase BDNF in the rodent brain and is associated with smoking severity in humans; however, it is unknown whether this increased BDNF is linked functionally to the switch from a nicotine-nondependent to a nicotine-dependent state. We used a place conditioning paradigm to measure the conditioned responses to nicotine, showing that a dose of acute nicotine that nondependent male mice find aversive is found rewarding in chronic nicotine-treated mice experiencing withdrawal. A single BDNF injection in the ventral tegmental area (in the absence of chronic nicotine treatment) caused mice to behave as if they were nicotine-dependent and in withdrawal, switching the neurobiological substrate mediating the conditioned motivational effects from dopamine D1 receptors to D2 receptors. Quantification of gene expression of BDNF and its receptor, tropomyosin-receptor-kinase B (TrkB), revealed an increase in TrkB mRNA but not BDNF mRNA in the VTA in nicotine-dependent and -withdrawn mice. These results suggest that BDNF signaling in the VTA is a critical neurobiological substrate for the transition to nicotine dependence. The modulation of BDNF signaling may be a promising new pharmacological avenue for the treatment of addictive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn E Grieder
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mandy Yee
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hector Vargas-Perez
- The Nierika Intercultural Medicine Institute, Ocuilan, Estado de México, México
| | - Geith Maal-Bared
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan George
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan Ting-A-Kee
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Derek van der Kooy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Zhu H, Zhuang D, Lou Z, Lai M, Fu D, Hong Q, Liu H, Zhou W. Akt and its phosphorylation in nucleus accumbens mediate heroin-seeking behavior induced by cues in rats. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13013. [PMID: 33619816 PMCID: PMC8459226 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Akt is initially identified as one of the downstream targets of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and is involved in morphine reward and tolerance. However, whether phospholyration of Akt (p-Akt) mediates heroin relapse remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the role of p-Akt in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in cue-induced heroin-seeking behaviors after withdrawal. First, rats were trained to self-administer heroin for 14 days, after which we assessed heroin-seeking behaviors induced by a context cue (CC) or by discrete conditioned cues (CS) after 1 day or 14 days of withdrawal. We found that the active responses induced by CC or CS after 14 days of withdrawal were higher than those after 1 day of withdrawal. Meanwhile, the expression of p-Akt in the NAc was also greatest when rats were exposed to the CS after 14 days of withdrawal. Additionally, a microinjection of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, into the NAc inhibited the CS-induced heroin-seeking behaviors after 14 days of withdrawal, paralleling the decreased levels of p-Akt in the NAc. Finally, Akt1 or β-arrestin 2 was downregulated via a lentiviral injection to assess the effect on heroin seeking after 14 days of withdrawal. CS-induced heroin-seeking behavior was inhibited by downregulation of Akt1, but not β-arrestin 2, in the NAc. These data demonstrate that Akt phosphorylation in the NAc may play an important role in the incubation of heroin-seeking behavior, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt pathways may be involved in the process of heroin relapse and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaqiang Zhu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Dingding Zhuang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Zhongze Lou
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital Ningbo Hospital of Zhejiang University China
| | - Miaojun Lai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Dan Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Qingxiao Hong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Huifen Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
| | - Wenhua Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Addiction Research, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, School of Medicine Ningbo University China
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11
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Vanderschuren LJMJ, Ahmed SH. Animal Models of the Behavioral Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a040287. [PMID: 32513674 PMCID: PMC8327824 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To more effectively manage substance use disorders, it is imperative to understand the neural, genetic, and psychological underpinnings of addictive behavior. To contribute to this understanding, considerable efforts have been made to develop translational animal models that capture key behavioral characteristics of addiction on the basis of DSM5 criteria of substance use disorders. In this review, we summarize empirical evidence for the occurrence of addiction-like behavior in animals. These symptoms include escalation of drug use, neurocognitive deficits, resistance to extinction, exaggerated motivation for drugs, increased reinstatement of drug seeking after extinction, preference for drugs over nondrug rewards, and resistance to punishment. The occurrence of addiction-like behavior in laboratory animals has opened the opportunity to investigate the neural, genetic, and psychological background of key aspects of addiction, which may ultimately contribute to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Serge H Ahmed
- Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Neurocampus, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Zita G, Gawliński D, Gawlińska K, Wydra K, Przegaliński E, Fumagalli F. The effects of cocaine exposure in adolescence: Behavioural effects and neuroplastic mechanisms in experimental models. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:4233-4253. [PMID: 33963539 PMCID: PMC9545182 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is a devastating disorder with a huge economic and social burden for modern society. Although an individual may slip into drug abuse throughout his/her life, adolescents are at higher risk, but, so far, only a few studies have attempted to elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular bases of such vulnerability. Indeed, preclinical evidence indicates that psychostimulants and adolescence interact and contribute to promoting a dysfunctional brain. In this review, we have focused our attention primarily on changes in neuroplasticity brought about by cocaine, taking into account that there is much less evidence from exposure to cocaine in adolescence, compared with that from adults. This review clearly shows that exposure to cocaine during adolescence, acute or chronic, as well as contingent or non‐contingent, confers a vulnerable endophenotype, primarily, by causing changes in neuroplasticity. Given the close relationship between drug abuse and psychiatric disorders, we also discuss the translational implications providing an interpretative framework for clinical studies involving addictive as well as affective or psychotic behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Zita
- Dipartimento di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Dawid Gawliński
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga Gawlińska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Wydra
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Edmund Przegaliński
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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13
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Van Reijmersdal B, Telese F, Verheij MM, Fumagalli F, Homberg JR. The role of the serotonin transporter in prefrontal cortex glutamatergic signaling following short- and long-access cocaine self-administration. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12896. [PMID: 32187792 PMCID: PMC7988536 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vulnerability to drug addiction relies on substantial individual differences. We previously demonstrated that serotonin transporter knockout (SERT−/−) rats show increased cocaine intake and develop signs of compulsivity. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are not fully understood. Given the pivotal role of glutamate and prefrontal cortex in cocaine‐seeking behavior, we sought to investigate the expression of proteins implicated in glutamate neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex of naïve and cocaine‐exposed rats lacking SERT. We focused on the infralimbic (ILc) and prelimbic (PLc) cortices, which are theorized to exert opposing effects on the control over subcortical brain areas. SERT−/− rats, which compared to wild‐type (SERT+/+) rats show increased ShA and LgA intake short‐access (ShA) and long‐access (LgA) cocaine intake, were sacrificed 24 h into withdrawal for ex vivo molecular analyses. In the ILc homogenate of SERT−/− rats, we observed a sharp increase in glial glutamate transporter 1 (GLT‐1) after ShA, but not LgA, cocaine intake. This was paralleled by ShA‐induced increases in GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B NMDA receptor subunits and their scaffolding protein SAP102 in the ILc homogenate, but not postsynaptic density, of these knockout animals. In the PLc, we found no major changes in the homogenate; conversely, the expression of GluN1 and GluN2A NMDA receptor subunits was increased in the postsynaptic density under ShA conditions and reduced under LgA conditions. These results point to SERT as a critical regulator of glutamate homeostasis in a way that differs between the subregions investigated, the duration of cocaine exposure as well as the cellular compartment analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Boyd Van Reijmersdal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Telese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Michel M.M. Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences Università degli Studi di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Schwann Cell Autocrine and Paracrine Regulatory Mechanisms, Mediated by Allopregnanolone and BDNF, Modulate PKCε in Peripheral Sensory Neurons. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081874. [PMID: 32796542 PMCID: PMC7465687 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase type C-ε (PKCε) plays important roles in the sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors, such as ion channel phosphorylation, that in turn promotes mechanical hyperalgesia and pain chronification. In these neurons, PKCε is modulated through the local release of mediators by the surrounding Schwann cells (SCs). The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO) is endogenously synthesized by SCs, whereas it has proven to be a crucial mediator of neuron-glia interaction in peripheral nerve fibers. Biomolecular and pharmacological studies on rat primary SCs and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuronal cultures were aimed at investigating the hypothesis that ALLO modulates neuronal PKCε, playing a role in peripheral nociception. We found that SCs tonically release ALLO, which, in turn, autocrinally upregulated the synthesis of the growth factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Subsequently, glial BDNF paracrinally activates PKCε via trkB in DRG sensory neurons. Herein, we report a novel mechanism of SCs-neuron cross-talk in the peripheral nervous system, highlighting a key role of ALLO and BDNF in nociceptor sensitization. These findings emphasize promising targets for inhibiting the development and chronification of neuropathic pain.
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15
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Mingardi J, Zita G, Barbon A, Fumagalli F. Anhedonic-like behavior and BDNF dysregulation following a single injection of cocaine during adolescence. Neuropharmacology 2020; 175:108161. [PMID: 32585251 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that a single exposure to cocaine during adolescence causes several behavioural and neurobiological changes, highlighting the unique vulnerability of this period of life. The purpose of our work was to investigate whether a single exposure to cocaine during brain development is sufficient to shape a negative emotional state in adolescent rats. A single injection of cocaine during adolescence followed by measurement of sucrose consumption, a measure of anhedonia, identifies two separate groups of rats, i.e. anhedonic (AN) and non anhedonic (NON-AN) rats. AN rats show reduced ability to synthesize, traffic and translate the neurotrophin BDNF at synaptic level, reduced activation of hippocampal BDNF signaling, reduced BDNF plasma levels and a steep rise of corticosterone secretion. Conversely, NON-AN rats exhibit reduced trafficking of BDNF while up-regulating hippocampal BDNF synthesis and stabilizing its downstream signaling with no changes of BDNF and corticosterone plasma levels. Adult rats exposed to cocaine showed no signs of anhedonia, an increase of BDNF both in hippocampus and plasma and decreased levels of corticosterone. In conclusion, our findings reveal a complex central and peripheral dysregulation of BDNF-related mechanisms that instead are preserved in NON-AN rats, suggesting that BDNF modulation dictates behavioural vulnerability vs. resiliency to cocaine-induced anhedonia, a profile uniquely restricted to adolescent rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- Biology and Genetic Division, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Zita
- Dipartimento di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Biology and Genetic Division, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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Pitts EG, Barfield ET, Woon EP, Gourley SL. Action-Outcome Expectancies Require Orbitofrontal Neurotrophin Systems in Naïve and Cocaine-Exposed Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:165-177. [PMID: 31218603 PMCID: PMC7007486 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00752-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use during adolescence decreases the likelihood that individuals will seek treatment for recurrent drug use. In rodents, developmental cocaine exposure weakens action-consequence decision-making, causing a deferral to familiar, habit-like behavioral response strategies. Here, we aimed to improve action-outcome decision-making. We found that acute pharmacological stimulation of the tyrosine/tropomyosin receptor kinase B (trkB) via 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) blocked cocaine-induced habit biases by strengthening memory for action-outcome associations. We believe that MDMA acts by stimulating neurotrophin/trkB systems in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a region involved in prospectively evaluating the consequences of one's action, because 1) MDMA also increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the OFC, 2) MDMA corrected habit biases due to Bdnf loss in the OFC, and 3) overexpression of a truncated isoform of trkB occluded the memory-enhancing effects of MDMA. Thus, selecting actions based on their consequences requires BDNF-trkB in the OFC, the stimulation of which may improve goal attainment in both drug-naïve and cocaine-exposed individuals. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cocaine use during adolescence decreases the likelihood that individuals will seek treatment for recurrent drug use, even as adults. Understanding how early-life cocaine exposure impacts goal-oriented action and prospective decision-making in adulthood is thus important. One key aspect of goal-directed decision-making is anticipating the consequences of one's actions, a process that likely involves the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). In rodents, developmental cocaine exposure weakens action-consequence decision-making, causing a deferral to familiar, habit-like behavioral response strategies. Here, we report that we can improve memory for action-consequence relationships by stimulating neurotrophic factors, which support cell survival, development, and plasticity in the brain. With strengthened action-consequence associations, cocaine-exposed mice regain the ability to optimally select actions based on their likely outcomes. Brain region-selective manipulations reveal that neurotrophin systems in the OFC are necessary for stable memory of action-consequence relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Pitts
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Barfield
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Ellen P Woon
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Diniz DM, Verheij MM, Fumagalli F, Homberg JR. Deletion of the serotonin transporter perturbs BDNF signaling in the central amygdala following long-access cocaine self-administration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107610. [PMID: 31606593 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human neuroimaging studies indicate that the amygdala plays a key role in cocaine addiction. One key plasticity factor that modulates effects of cocaine on the brain is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). A wealth of evidence shows that cocaine exposure alters BDNF signaling in corticolimbic structures, but, surprisingly, such evidence is very limited for the amygdala. Additionally, while BDNF is strongly regulated by serotonin levels and inherited serotonin transporter down-regulation is associated with increased vulnerability to cocaine addiction, the effects of serotonin transporter genotype on BDNF signaling in the amygdala under naïve and cocaine exposure conditions are unknown. METHODS We measured BDNF signaling in the central amygdala of wild-type and serotonin transporter knockout rats 24 h into withdrawal from long-access cocaine self-administration. RESULTS In wild-type rats mature BDNF (mBDNF) protein levels were decreased, whereas the phosphorylation of its receptor TrkB as well as of its intracellular signaling molecules Akt and ERK1 were increased. mBDNF protein expression and its signaling in cocaine-naïve serotonin transporter knockout rats resembled that of wild-type rats with a history of long-access cocaine self-administration. Interestingly, cocaine-exposed serotonin transporter knockout rats showed increased BDNF levels, with no signs of phospho-TrkB receptor coupling to phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK1. CONCLUSIONS Long-access cocaine self-administration dysregulates BDNF signaling in the central amygdala. Vulnerability to cocaine addiction is associated with dysregulation of this signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Danielle Mendes Diniz
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Michel M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
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18
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Caffino L, Verheij MM, Que L, Guo C, Homberg JR, Fumagalli F. Increased cocaine self-administration in rats lacking the serotonin transporter: a role for glutamatergic signaling in the habenula. Addict Biol 2019; 24:1167-1178. [PMID: 30144237 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) and the habenula (Hb) contribute to motivational and emotional states such as depression and drug abuse. The dorsal raphe nucleus, where 5-HT neurons originate, and the Hb are anatomically and reciprocally interconnected. Evidence exists that 5-HT influences Hb glutamatergic transmission. Using serotonin transporter knockout (SERT-/- ) rats, which show depression-like behavior and increased cocaine intake, we investigated the effect of SERT reduction on expression of genes involved in glutamate neurotransmission under both baseline conditions as well as after short-access or long-access cocaine (ShA and LgA, respectively) intake. In cocaine-naïve animals, SERT removal led to reduced baseline Hb mRNA levels of critical determinants of glutamate transmission, such as SLC1A2, the main glutamate transporter and N-methyl-D-aspartate (Grin1, Grin2A and Grin2B) as well as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (Gria1 and Gria2) receptor subunits, with no changes in the scaffolding protein Dlg4. In response to ShA and LgA cocaine intake, SLC1A2 and Grin1 mRNA levels decreased in SERT+/+ rats to levels equal of those of SERT-/- rats. Our data reveal that increased extracellular levels of 5-HT modulate glutamate neurotransmission in the Hb, serving as critical neurobiological substrate for vulnerability to cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di Milano Italy
| | - Michel M.M. Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Lin Que
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre The Netherlands
| | - Chao Guo
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre The Netherlands
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre The Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular SciencesUniversità degli Studi di Milano Italy
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19
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Caffino L, Giannotti G, Messa G, Mottarlini F, Fumagalli F. Repeated cocaine exposure dysregulates BDNF expression and signaling in the mesocorticolimbic pathway of the adolescent rat. World J Biol Psychiatry 2019; 20:531-544. [PMID: 29380665 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1433328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Long-term abstinence following cocaine exposure up-regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the mesocorticolimbic pathway. Given the increased vulnerability to drug abuse typical of adolescence, we hypothesized that changes in BDNF expression may become manifest early after the end of cocaine treatment in the adolescent brain.Methods: Rats received cocaine injections from postnatal day 28 (PND28) to PND42 and the mesocorticolimbic expression of BDNF was measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting at PND43.Results: In the ventral tegmental area, BDNF-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrΚB) expression and phosphorylation are enhanced while the intracellular signaling is unaltered. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and core, BDNF and its signaling were down-regulated. In the prelimbic (PL) cortex, we found reduced BDNF expression and increased phosphoprylation of TrΚB, ERK and AKT. In the infralimbic (IL) cortex, increased BDNF expression was coupled with reduced activity and expression of its downstream targets. To evaluate the role of glutamate on BDNF-independent changes, we investigated the expression of the transporter GLT-1 and the activation of the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B, which were both increased in the PL cortex while reduced in the IL cortex.Conclusions: Our results show that adolescent cocaine exposure modulates BDNF system early after treatment in the mesocorticolimbic pathway, identifying a complex but specific set of changes that could provide clues for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannotti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Messa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Bobadilla AC, Garcia-Keller C, Chareunsouk V, Hyde J, Medina Camacho D, Heinsbroek JA, Kalivas PW. Accumbens brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transmission inhibits cocaine seeking. Addict Biol 2019; 24:860-873. [PMID: 29890020 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates a variety of physiological processes, and several studies have explored the role of BDNF in addiction-related brain regions like the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). We sought to understand the rapid effects of endogenous BDNF on cocaine seeking. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine and extinguished. We then microinjected two inhibitors of BDNF stimulation of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), the non-competitive receptor antagonist ANA-12 and TrkB/Fc, a fusion protein that binds BDNF and prevents TrkB stimulation. Blocking TrkB or inactivating BDNF in NAcore potentiated active lever pressing, showing that endogenous BDNF tone was present and supplying inhibitory tone on cue-induced reinstatement. To determine if exogenous BDNF also negatively regulated reinstatement, BDNF was microinjected into NAcore 15 minutes before cue-induced reinstatement. BDNF decreased cocaine seeking through TrkB receptor binding, but had no effect on inactive lever pressing, spontaneous or cocaine-induced locomotion, or on reinstated sucrose seeking. BDNF-infusion potentiated within trial extinction when microinjected in the NAcore during cue- and context + cue induced reinstatement, and the inhibition of lever pressing lasted at least 3 days post injection. Although decreased reinstatement endured for 3 days when BDNF was administered prior to a reinstatement session, when microinjected before an extinction session or in the home cage, BDNF did not alter subsequent cued-reinstatement. Together, these data show that endogenous BDNF acts on TrKB to provide inhibitory tone on reinstated cocaine seeking, and this effect was recapitulated by exogenous BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Clara Bobadilla
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | | | - Victoria Chareunsouk
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | - Jeffrey Hyde
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
- Western Washington University; Department of Psychology and Program in Behavioral Neuroscience; Bellingham WA USA
| | | | - Jasper A. Heinsbroek
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
| | - Peter W. Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC USA
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21
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Interactions of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Regulation of Behaviors after Nicotine Administration. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122943. [PMID: 31208140 PMCID: PMC6627482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotine causes tobacco dependence, which may result in fatal respiratory diseases. The striatum is a key structure of forebrain basal nuclei associated with nicotine dependence. In the striatum, glutamate release is increased when α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in the glutamatergic terminals are exposed to nicotine, and over-stimulates glutamate receptors in gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons. These receptor over-stimulations in turn potentiate GABAergic outputs to forebrain basal nuclei and contribute to the increase in psychomotor behaviors associated with nicotine dependence. In parallel with glutamate increases, nicotine exposure elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release through anterograde and retrograde targeting of the synapses of glutamatergic terminals and GABAergic neurons. This article reviews nicotine-exposure induced elevations of glutamatergic neurotransmission, the bidirectional targeting of BDNF in the striatum, and the potential regulatory role played by BDNF in behavioral responses to nicotine exposure.
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22
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Karel P, Almacellas‐Barbanoj A, Prijn J, Kaag A, Reneman L, Verheij MM, Homberg JR. Appetitive to aversive counter-conditioning as intervention to reduce reinstatement of reward-seeking behavior: the role of the serotonin transporter. Addict Biol 2019; 24:344-354. [PMID: 29292566 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Counter-conditioning can be a valid strategy to reduce reinstatement of reward-seeking behavior. However, this has not been tested in laboratory animals with extended cocaine-taking backgrounds nor is it well understood, which individual differences may contribute to its effects. Here, we set out to investigate the influence of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype on the effectiveness of counter-conditioning after extended access to cocaine self-administration. To this end, 5-HTT+/+ and 5-HTT-/- rats underwent a touch screen-based approach to test if reward-induced reinstatement of responding to a previously counter-conditioned cue is reduced, compared with a non-counter-conditioned cue, in a within-subject manner. We observed an overall extinction deficit of cocaine-seeking behavior in 5-HTT-/- rats and a resistance to punishment during the counter-conditioning session. Furthermore, we observed a significant decrease in reinstatement to cocaine and sucrose associated cues after counter-conditioning but only in 5-HTT+/+ rats. In short, we conclude that the paradigm we used was able to produce effects of counter-conditioning of sucrose seeking behavior in line with what is described in literature, and we demonstrate that it can be effective even after long-term exposure to cocaine, in a genotype-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Karel
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour The Netherlands
| | - Amanda Almacellas‐Barbanoj
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Prijn
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour The Netherlands
| | - Anne‐Marije Kaag
- Addiction, Development, and Psychopathology (ADAPT) lab, Department of PsychologyUniversity of Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical CenterUniversity of Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Reneman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical CenterUniversity of Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Brain and CognitionUniversity of Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Michel M.M. Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour The Netherlands
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour The Netherlands
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Miguez MJ, Chan W, Espinoza L, Tarter R, Perez C. Marijuana use among adolescents is associated with deleterious alterations in mature BDNF. AIMS Public Health 2019; 6:4-14. [PMID: 30931339 PMCID: PMC6433615 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2019.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With increases in marijuana use and legalization efforts, it is imperative to establish its impact on the developing brain. Therefore, we investigated whether exposure to marijuana alters brain derived neurotropic-factor (BDNF), given its critical role in brain development and plasticity. We then examined whether onset age of cannabis use was associated with more severe changes. A single site, cohort study following 500 urban healthy American adolescents. Changes in plasma m-BDNF levels were longitudinally assessed, and a multi-method approach was implemented to ascertain marijuana use. Multivariate and general linear model (GLM) regression modeling were utilized to test the main hypothesis, controlling for confounders. Results Group-based trajectory modeling identified four distinct groups, characterized by naive (60% control), starters (14%), chronic users (20%), and experimenting/quitters (6%). Compared to controls, those initiating marijuana use had similar pre-existent m-BDNF (1939.2 ± 221 vs. 2640.7 ± 1309 ng/ml, p=0.4) After adjusting for confounding factors, GLM analyses revealed that, compared to controls, younger adolescents increased BDNF levels when experimenting and during moderate marijuana use. Older adolescents had a steeper increase in endogenous BDNF levels, particularly when escalating use. Multivariate analyses confirmed marijuana use as a predictor of m-BDNF (p = 0.001). Conclusions This is the first study demonstrating BDNF alterations were not a precondition. Rather, BDNF alteration was secondary to marijuana use, serving as cautionary evidence of marijuana's deleterious effects. Findings suggest that when marijuana use escalates, the BDNF pathway becomes more deregulated. Analyses confirm that age of marijuana use onset influences the magnitude of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Miguez
- School of Integrated Science and Humanity, Florida International University, Miami, USA
| | - Wenyaw Chan
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Texas, Houston, USA
| | - Luis Espinoza
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, USA
| | - Ralph Tarter
- Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Caroline Perez
- School of Integrated Science and Humanity, Florida International University, Miami, USA
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D'Souza MS. Brain and Cognition for Addiction Medicine: From Prevention to Recovery Neural Substrates for Treatment of Psychostimulant-Induced Cognitive Deficits. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:509. [PMID: 31396113 PMCID: PMC6667748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Addiction to psychostimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine poses a continuing medical and social challenge both in the United States and all over the world. Despite a desire to quit drug use, return to drug use after a period of abstinence is a common problem among individuals dependent on psychostimulants. Recovery for psychostimulant drug-dependent individuals is particularly challenging because psychostimulant drugs induce significant changes in brain regions associated with cognitive functions leading to cognitive deficits. These cognitive deficits include impairments in learning/memory, poor decision making, and impaired control of behavioral output. Importantly, these drug-induced cognitive deficits often impact adherence to addiction treatment programs and predispose abstinent addicts to drug use relapse. Additionally, these cognitive deficits impact effective social and professional rehabilitation of abstinent addicts. The goal of this paper is to review neural substrates based on animal studies that could be pharmacologically targeted to reverse psychostimulant-induced cognitive deficits such as impulsivity and impairment in learning and memory. Further, the review will discuss neural substrates that could be used to facilitate extinction learning and thus reduce emotional and behavioral responses to drug-associated cues. Moreover, the review will discuss some non-pharmacological approaches that could be used either alone or in combination with pharmacological compounds to treat the above-mentioned cognitive deficits. Psychostimulant addiction treatment, which includes treatment for cognitive deficits, will help promote abstinence and allow for better rehabilitation and integration of abstinent individuals into society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, United States
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Caffino L, Messa G, Fumagalli F. A single cocaine administration alters dendritic spine morphology and impairs glutamate receptor synaptic retention in the medial prefrontal cortex of adolescent rats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 140:209-216. [PMID: 30092246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The brain is still maturing during adolescence and interfering with such a vulnerable period may lead to structural and functional consequences. We investigated the effect of a single cocaine exposure on dendritic spine structure and glutamate dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adolescent rats 7 days after a single cocaine administration. We found a reduced number of dendritic spines, suggesting that cocaine lowers the density of dendritic spines in the mPFC of adolescent rats. Since dendritic spines are postsynaptic glutamatergic protrusions, we investigated the main determinants of glutamate postsynaptic responsiveness. In the postsynaptic density, cocaine reduced the expression of the NMDA receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B as well as of the AMPA GluA1 and GluA2 subunits. Cocaine also impaired their synaptic stability since the expression of the scaffolding proteins SAP102 and SAP97, critical for the anchoring of such receptors at the postsynaptic membrane, was reduced as well. The expression of PSD-95 and Arc/Arg3.1, which play structural and functional roles in glutamate neurons, was also similarly reduced. Such changes were not found in the whole homogenate, ruling out a translational effect of cocaine and implying, rather, an impaired synaptic retention at the active zones of the synapse. Notably, neither these critical glutamate determinants nor the density and morphology of the dendritic spines were altered in the mPFC of adult animals, suggesting that a single cocaine exposure selectively impairs the developmental trajectory of the glutamate synapse. These results indicate a dynamic impairment of mPFC glutamate homeostasis during a critical developmental window that persists for at least one week after a single cocaine administration. Our results identify dysfunctional glutamate synapse as a major contributor to the mechanisms that distinguish adolescent vs. adult outcomes of a single cocaine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Messa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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26
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Verheij MMM, Contet C, Karel P, Latour J, van der Doelen RHA, Geenen B, van Hulten JA, Meyer F, Kozicz T, George O, Koob GF, Homberg JR. Median and Dorsal Raphe Serotonergic Neurons Control Moderate Versus Compulsive Cocaine Intake. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:1024-1035. [PMID: 29357981 PMCID: PMC5960600 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT) promotes anxiety and cocaine intake in both humans and rats. We tested the hypothesis that median raphe nucleus (MRN) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonergic projections differentially mediate these phenotypes. METHODS We used virally mediated RNA interference to locally downregulate SERT expression and compared the results with those of constitutive SERT knockout. Rats were allowed either short access (ShA) (1 hour) or long access (LgA) (6 hours) to cocaine self-administration to model moderate versus compulsive-like cocaine taking. RESULTS SERT knockdown in the MRN increased cocaine intake selectively under ShA conditions and, like ShA cocaine self-administration, reduced corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) immunodensity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. In contrast, SERT knockdown in the DRN increased cocaine intake selectively under LgA conditions and, like LgA cocaine self-administration, reduced CRF immunodensity in the central nucleus of the amygdala. SERT knockdown in the MRN or DRN produced anxiety-like behavior, as did withdrawal from ShA or LgA cocaine self-administration. The phenotype of SERT knockout rats was a summation of the phenotypes generated by MRN- and DRN-specific SERT knockdown. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight a differential role of serotonergic projections arising from the MRN and DRN in the regulation of cocaine intake. We propose that a cocaine-induced shift from MRN-driven serotonergic control of CRF levels in the hypothalamus to DRN-driven serotonergic control of CRF levels in the amygdala may contribute to the transition from moderate to compulsive intake of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Molecular and Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Candice Contet
- Department of Molecular and Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Karel
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Judith Latour
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rick H A van der Doelen
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Geenen
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Francisca Meyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Tamas Kozicz
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Molecular and Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - George F Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Merlo S, Spampinato SF, Beneventano M, Sortino MA. The contribution of microglia to early synaptic compensatory responses that precede β-amyloid-induced neuronal death. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7297. [PMID: 29740062 PMCID: PMC5940848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25453-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial-neuronal cross-talk has a critical role in the development of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's Disease, where it affects neuronal responses to β-amyloid peptide (Aβ)-induced toxicity. We set out to identify factors regulating synaptic responses to Aβ, dissecting the specific role of glial signaling. A low concentration of aggregated Aβ42 induced selective up-regulation of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and release in rat organotypic hippocampal cultures as well as in cortical pure microglia. Conditioned media from resting (CMC) or Aβ42-treated (CMA) microglia were tested for their effects on synaptophysin expression in SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells during challenge with Aβ42. Both CMC and CMA prevented Aβ-induced synaptophysin loss. In the presence of Aβ + CMA, synaptophysin was over-expressed, although it appeared partly clumped in cell bodies. Synaptophysin over-expression was not directly dependent on BDNF signaling on neuronal-like cells, but relied on autocrine BDNF action on microglia. FM1-43 labeling experiments revealed compromised synaptic vesicle recycling in Aβ42-treated neuronal-like cells, rescued by microglial conditioned medium. In these conditions, significant and prolonged neuroprotection was observed. Our results point to microglia as a target for early intervention, given its positive role in supporting neuronal compensatory responses to Aβ synaptotoxicity, which potentially lead to their extended survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Federica Spampinato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Martina Beneventano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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28
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Alvandi MS, Bourmpoula M, Homberg JR, Fathollahi Y. Association of contextual cues with morphine reward increases neural and synaptic plasticity in the ventral hippocampus of rats. Addict Biol 2017; 22:1883-1894. [PMID: 28940732 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is associated with aberrant memory and permanent functional changes in neural circuits. It is known that exposure to drugs like morphine is associated with positive emotional states and reward-related memory. However, the underlying mechanisms in terms of neural plasticity in the ventral hippocampus, a region involved in associative memory and emotional behaviors, are not fully understood. Therefore, we measured adult neurogenesis, dendritic spine density and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB mRNA expression as parameters for synaptic plasticity in the ventral hippocampus. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to the CPP (conditioned place preference) paradigm and received 10 mg/kg morphine. Half of the rats were used to evaluate neurogenesis by immunohistochemical markers Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX). The other half was used for Golgi staining to measure spine density and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to assess BDNF/TrkB expression levels. We found that morphine-treated rats exhibited more place conditioning as compared with saline-treated rats and animals that were exposed to the CPP without any injections. Locomotor activity did not change significantly. Morphine-induced CPP significantly increased the number of Ki67 and DCX-labeled cells in the ventral dentate gyrus. Additionally, we found increased dendritic spine density in both CA1 and dentate gyrus and an enhancement of BDNF/TrkB mRNA levels in the whole ventral hippocampus. Ki67, DCX and spine density were significantly correlated with CPP scores. In conclusion, we show that morphine-induced reward-related memory is associated with neural and synaptic plasticity changes in the ventral hippocampus. Such neural changes could underlie context-induced drug relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Sadighi Alvandi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour; Radboud University Medical Centre; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - Maria Bourmpoula
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour; Radboud University Medical Centre; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour; Radboud University Medical Centre; Nijmegen the Netherlands
| | - Yaghoub Fathollahi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences; Tarbiat Modares University; Tehran Iran
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29
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BDNF-TrkB controls cocaine-induced dendritic spines in rodent nucleus accumbens dissociated from increases in addictive behaviors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9469-9474. [PMID: 28808012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1702441114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic cocaine use is associated with prominent morphological changes in nucleus accumbens shell (NACsh) neurons, including increases in dendritic spine density along with enhanced motivation for cocaine, but a functional relationship between these morphological and behavioral phenomena has not been shown. Here we show that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptors in NACsh neurons is necessary for cocaine-induced dendritic spine formation by using either localized TrkB knockout or viral-mediated expression of a dominant negative, kinase-dead TrkB mutant. Interestingly, augmenting wild-type TrkB expression after chronic cocaine self-administration reverses the sustained increase in dendritic spine density, an effect mediated by TrkB signaling pathways that converge on extracellular regulated kinase. Loss of TrkB function after cocaine self-administration, however, leaves spine density intact but markedly enhances the motivation for cocaine, an effect mediated by specific loss of TrkB signaling through phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCγ1). Conversely, overexpression of PLCγ1 both reduces the motivation for cocaine and reverses dendritic spine density, suggesting a potential target for the treatment of addiction in chronic users. Together, these findings indicate that BDNF-TrkB signaling both mediates and reverses cocaine-induced increases in dendritic spine density in NACsh neurons, and these morphological changes are entirely dissociable from changes in addictive behavior.
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Abstract
Understanding the brain circuitry that underlies reward is critical to improve treatment for many common health issues, including obesity, depression, and addiction. Here we focus on insights into the organization and function of reward circuitry and its synaptic and structural adaptations in response to cocaine exposure. While the importance of certain circuits, such as the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway, are well established in drug reward, recent studies using genetics-based tools have revealed functional changes throughout the reward circuitry that contribute to different facets of addiction, such as relapse and craving. The ability to observe and manipulate neuronal activity within specific cell types and circuits has led to new insight into not only the basic connections between brain regions, but also the molecular changes within these specific microcircuits, such as neurotrophic factor and GTPase signaling or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor function, that underlie synaptic and structural plasticity evoked by drugs of abuse. Excitingly, these insights from preclinical rodent work are now being translated into the clinic, where transcranial magnetic simulation and deep brain stimulation therapies are being piloted in human cocaine dependence. Thus, this review seeks to summarize current understanding of the major brain regions implicated in drug-related behaviors and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to altered connectivity between these regions, with the postulation that increased knowledge of the plasticity within the drug reward circuit will lead to new and improved treatments for addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cooper
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - A J Robison
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Michelle S Mazei-Robison
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Schuch-Goi SB, Goi PD, Bermudez M, Fara LS, Kessler FP, Pechansky F, Gama CS, Massuda R, von Diemen L. Accumbens volumes are reduced among crack-cocaine users. Neurosci Lett 2017; 645:86-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.02.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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