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Borruto AM, Calpe-López C, Spanagel R, Bernardi RE. Conditional deletion of the AMPA-GluA1 and NMDA-GluN1 receptor subunit genes in midbrain D1 neurons does not alter cocaine reward in mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 258:110081. [PMID: 39002853 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110081] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system contributes to the neural adaptations underlying addictive behaviors and relapse. However, the specific behavioral relevance of glutamatergic excitatory drive onto dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing neurons in mediating the reinforcing effect of cocaine remains unclear. Here, we investigated how midbrain AMPAR and NMDAR function modulate cocaine reward-related behavior using mutant mouse lines lacking the glutamate receptor genes Gria1 or Grin1 in D1R-expressing neurons (GluA1D1CreERT2 or GluN1D1CreERT2, respectively). We found that conditional genetic deletion of either GluA1 or GluN1 within this neuronal sub-population did not impact the ability of acute cocaine injection to increase intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) ratio or reduced brain reward threshold compared to littermate controls. Additionally, our data demonstrate that deletion of GluA1 and GluN1 receptor subunits within D1R-expressing neurons did not affect cocaine reinforcement in an operant self-administration paradigm, as mutant mice showed comparable cocaine responses and intake to controls. Given the pivotal role of glutamate receptors in mediating relapse behavior, we further explored the impact of genetic deletion of AMPAR and NMDAR onto D1R-expressing neurons on cue-induced reinstatement following extinction. Surprisingly, deletion of AMPAR and NMDAR onto these neurons did not impair cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. These findings suggest that glutamatergic activity via NMDAR and AMPAR in D1R-expressing neurons may not exclusively mediate the reinforcing effects of cocaine and cue-induced reinstatement.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cocaine/pharmacology
- Cocaine/administration & dosage
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism
- Reward
- Receptors, AMPA/genetics
- Receptors, AMPA/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
- Mice
- Self Administration
- Male
- Mesencephalon/metabolism
- Mesencephalon/drug effects
- Conditioning, Operant/drug effects
- Conditioning, Operant/physiology
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurons/drug effects
- Mice, Knockout
- Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Reinforcement, Psychology
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Borruto
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Claudia Calpe-López
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Mannheim, Heidelberg, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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2
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Pohořalá V, Kuchař M, Spanagel R, Bernardi RE. Psilocybin administered following extinction sessions does not affect subsequent cocaine cue reinstatement in male and female rats and mice. Neuroscience 2024; 559:156-165. [PMID: 39236802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.09.006] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
There are currently no pharmacological treatments for cocaine use disorder. Recently there has been a great deal of interest in the potential of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin to treat psychiatric disorders. Human studies have indicated that a single administration of psilocybin can have long-lasting effects. Few preclinical studies have examined a role for psilocybin in addiction models. The goal of the current study was to determine whether psilocybin would enhance extinction following cocaine self-administration in male and female mice and rats and thus result in an attenuation of cue-induced drug-seeking. In experiments in mice, 16 female and 19 male mice underwent 8d of cocaine self-administration (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) and extinction training. Immediately following extinction trials, mice were injected with vehicle or 1.0 mg/kg psilocybin. Following the conclusion of extinction training, mice were tested for cue-induced reinstatement. In experiments in rats, 24 female and 23 male rats underwent 15d of cocaine self-administration (0.8 mg/kg/infusion) and extinction training. Immediately following extinction trials, rats were injected with vehicle, 1.0 mg/kg psilocybin, or 2.5 mg/kg psilocybin. Following the conclusion of extinction training, rats were tested for cue-induced reinstatement. Psilocybin administered following extinction trials had no effect, as both female and male mice and rats demonstrated significant cue-induced reinstatement. These data suggest that psilocybin is ineffective at altering cocaine-seeking behavior in the paradigm and doses used in the current study. It remains to be seen whether treatment with psilocybin under different conditions may be useful in the long-standing goal of finding pharmacotherapies to treat CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Pohořalá
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Psychedelics Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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Mantsch JR. Corticotropin releasing factor and drug seeking in substance use disorders: Preclinical evidence and translational limitations. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100038. [PMID: 36531188 PMCID: PMC9757758 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), has been an enigmatic target for the development of medications aimed at treating stress-related disorders. Despite a large body of evidence from preclinical studies in rodents demonstrating that CRF receptor antagonists prevent stressor-induced drug seeking, medications targeting the CRF-R1 have failed in clinical trials. Here, we provide an overview of the abundant findings from preclinical rodent studies suggesting that CRF signaling is involved in stressor-induced relapse. The scientific literature that has defined the receptors, mechanisms and neurocircuits through which CRF contributes to stressor-induced reinstatement of drug seeking following self-administration and conditioned place preference in rodents is reviewed. Evidence that CRF signaling is recruited with repeated drug use in a manner that heightens susceptibility to stressor-induced drug seeking in rodents is presented. Factors that may determine the influence of CRF signaling in substance use disorders, including developmental windows, biological sex, and genetics are examined. Finally, we discuss the translational failure of medications targeting CRF signaling as interventions for substance use disorders and other stress-related conditions. We conclude that new perspectives and research directions are needed to unravel the mysterious role of CRF in substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Mantsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
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4
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Dunigan AI, Roseberry AG. Actions of feeding-related peptides on the mesolimbic dopamine system in regulation of natural and drug rewards. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100011. [PMID: 37220637 PMCID: PMC10201992 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine system is the primary neural circuit mediating motivation, reinforcement, and reward-related behavior. The activity of this system and multiple behaviors controlled by it are affected by changes in feeding and body weight, such as fasting, food restriction, or the development of obesity. Multiple different peptides and hormones that have been implicated in the control of feeding and body weight interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate many different dopamine-dependent, reward-related behaviors. In this review, we summarize the effects of a selected set of feeding-related peptides and hormones acting within the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens to alter feeding, as well as food, drug, and social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I. Dunigan
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Aaron G. Roseberry
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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5
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Zalachoras I, Astori S, Meijer M, Grosse J, Zanoletti O, de Suduiraut IG, Deussing JM, Sandi C. Opposite effects of stress on effortful motivation in high and low anxiety are mediated by CRHR1 in the VTA. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj9019. [PMID: 35319997 PMCID: PMC8942367 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Individuals frequently differ in their behavioral and cognitive responses to stress. However, whether motivation is differently affected by acute stress in different individuals remains to be established. By exploiting natural variation in trait anxiety in outbred Wistar rats, we show that acute stress facilitates effort-related motivation in low anxious animals, while dampening effort in high anxious ones. This model allowed us to address the mechanisms underlying acute stress-induced differences in motivated behavior. We show that CRHR1 expression levels in dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)-a neuronal type implicated in the regulation of motivation-depend on animals' anxiety, and these differences in CRHR1 expression levels explain the divergent effects of stress on both effortful behavior and the functioning of mesolimbic DA neurons. These findings highlight CRHR1 in VTA DA neurons-whose levels vary with individuals' anxiety-as a switching mechanism determining whether acute stress facilitates or dampens motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Zalachoras
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
| | - Mandy Meijer
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan M. Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry/Molecular Neurogenetics, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. (C.S.); (I.Z.); (S.A.)
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Genetic factors contributing to late adverse musculoskeletal effects in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors. THE PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL 2022; 22:19-24. [PMID: 34446917 DOI: 10.1038/s41397-021-00252-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial number of survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) suffer from treatment-related late adverse effects. While multiple studies have identified the effects of chemotherapeutics and radiation therapy on musculoskeletal outcomes, few have investigated their associations with genetic factors. METHODS Here we analyzed musculoskeletal complications in relation to common and rare genetic variants derived through whole-exome sequencing of the PETALE cohort. Top-ranking associations were further assessed through stratified and multivariate analyses. RESULTS DUOX2 variant was associated with skeletal muscle function deficit, as defined by peak muscle power Z score ≤ -2 SD (P = 4.5 × 10-5 for genotyping model). Upon risk stratification analysis, common variants in the APOL3, COL12A1, and LY75 genes were associated with Z score ≤ -2 SD at the cross-sectional area (CSA) at 4% radial length and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in high-risk patients (P ≤ 0.01). The modulation of the effect by risk group was driven by the interaction of the genotype with cumulative glucocorticoid dose. Identified variants remained significant throughout multivariate analyses incorporating non-genetic factors of the studied cohort. CONCLUSION This exploratory study identified novel genetic variants associated with long-term musculoskeletal impairments in childhood ALL survivors. Replication in an independent cohort is needed to confirm the association found in this study.
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Farrokhi R, Babapour V, Zendehdel M, Asghari A, Gilanpour H. Role of Dopaminergic and Cannabinoidergic Receptors on Ghrelin-Induced Hypophagia in 5-Day-Old Broiler Chicken. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2021; 76:935-948. [PMID: 35096329 PMCID: PMC8790998 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2020.351261.1514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify the role of dopaminergic and cannabinoidergic systems in the ghrelin-induced hypophagia among meat-type chickens. In the first experiment, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection was applied to birds with control solution, D1 receptor antagonist (5 nmol), ghrelin (6 nmol), and D1 receptor antagonist plus ghrelin. The second to sixth experiments were similar to the first one, with the difference that D2 receptor antagonist (5 nmol), D3 receptor antagonist (6.4 nmol), D4 receptor antagonist (6 nmol), the precursor of dopamine (125 nmol), and 6-hydroxy dopamine (150 nmol) instead of D1 antagonist were injected into the broiler chickens. In experiment 7, control solution and different levels of ghrelin antagonists (5, 10, and 20 nmol) were injected. In experiment 8, the chickens were ICV injected with control solution, ghrelin antagonist (10 nmol), dopamine (40 nmol), and ghrelin antagonist plus dopamine. In experiments 9 and 10, CB1 and CB2 receptors antagonist (6.25µg and 5µg) were co-injected with ghrelin (6 nmol), respectively, measuring the food intake for 120 min after the injection. It was observed that ghrelin ICV injection considerably reduced food intake, whereas ghrelin antagonist increased food intake, depending on the dose (P<0.05). In addition, ghrelin-induced hypophagia was significantly attenuated by D1 receptor antagonist and 6-hydroxy dopamine (P<0.05), while the dopamine precursor considerably elevated the ghrelin-induced food intake (P<0.05). The dopamine-induced feeding behavior was diminished by the co-administration of [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6 (10 nmol)+dopamine (40 nmol) (P<0.05). In addition, CB1 receptor antagonists enhanced the ghrelin influence on food intake (P<0.05). The results implied that the hypophagic impact of ghrelin was probably mediated by D1 and CB1 receptors within neonatal broilers.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Farrokhi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - V Babapour
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Zendehdel
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Asghari
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - H Gilanpour
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Duan S, Xie L, Zheng L, Huang J, Guo R, Sun Z, Xie Y, Lv J, Lin Z, Ma S. Long-term exposure to ephedrine leads to neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral disorders accompanied by up-regulation of CRF in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in rhesus macaques. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112796. [PMID: 32634541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction continues to threaten the health and welfare of people worldwide, and ephedrine abuse is a serious drug problem in many areas of the world. Ephedrine toxicity is thought to induce behavioral effects primarily through actions on the central nervous system. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system plays an important role in regulating behavioral effects induced by addictive drugs, but whether CRF is related to ephedrine toxicity remains unclear. This study seeks to examine whether there is a correlation between the CRF and chronic ephedrine neurotoxicity. To this end, we established a chronic ephedrine (0.4-1.6 mg/kg/d) exposure model in rhesus macaques, assessed its effects on body weight and behavior, examined neuronal changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and measured the CRF expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. After 8-weeks of exposure to ephedrine, the toxic effects of ephedrine included significant weight loss and induction of behavioral changes in rhesus macaques. In particular, in the modeling group, the abnormal behavioral changes mainly manifested as irritability and behavioral sensitization. Meanwhile, the histological abnormalities included neuronal morphological changes, pyknosis and irregular shapes of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In addition, the expression levels of CRF mRNA and protein were increased in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of ephedrine-treated animals. In summary, the finding of this study indicated that ephedrine neurotoxicity can cause neuronal damage in cerebral cortex, which in turn can result in certain neurobehavioral abnormalities, and that CRF expression in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus is elevated in response to ephedrine exposure. These observations suggested that long-term exposure to ephedrine might be causing neurotoxicity and leading to neurobehavioral disorders accompanied by up-regulation of CRF in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouxing Duan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Lian Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - JinZhuang Huang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - RuiWei Guo
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - ZongBo Sun
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - JunYao Lv
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - ZhiRong Lin
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuhua Ma
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging, No. 57 Changping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
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Ahmed SH, Badiani A, Miczek KA, Müller CP. Non-pharmacological factors that determine drug use and addiction. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:3-27. [PMID: 30179633 PMCID: PMC6395570 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Based on their pharmacological properties, psychoactive drugs are supposed to take control of the natural reward system to finally drive compulsory drug seeking and consumption. However, psychoactive drugs are not used in an arbitrary way as pure pharmacological reinforcement would suggest, but rather in a highly specific manner depending on non-pharmacological factors. While pharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs are well studied, neurobiological mechanisms of non-pharmacological factors are less well understood. Here we review the emerging neurobiological mechanisms beyond pharmacological reinforcement which determine drug effects and use frequency. Important progress was made on the understanding of how the character of an environment and social stress determine drug self-administration. This is expanded by new evidence on how behavioral alternatives and opportunities for drug instrumentalization generate different patterns of drug choice. Emerging evidence suggests that the neurobiology of non-pharmacological factors strongly determines pharmacological and behavioral drug action and may, thus, give rise for an expanded system's approach of psychoactive drug use and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge H Ahmed
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Aldo Badiani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Sussex Addiction Research and Intervention Centre (SARIC), School of Psychology, University of Sussex, BN1 9RH Brighton, UK
| | - Klaus A Miczek
- Psychology Department, Tufts University, Bacon Hall, 530 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Christian P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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10
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Bernardi RE, Olevska A, Morella I, Fasano S, Santos E, Brambilla R, Spanagel R. The Inhibition of RasGRF2, But Not RasGRF1, Alters Cocaine Reward in Mice. J Neurosci 2019; 39:6325-6338. [PMID: 31182637 PMCID: PMC6687905 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1120-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been implicated in the effects of drugs of abuse. Inhibitors of MEK1/2, the kinases upstream of ERK1/2, have been critical in defining the role of the Ras-ERK cascade in drug-dependent alterations in behavioral plasticity, but the Ras family of small GTPases has not been extensively examined in drug-related behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 1 (RasGRF1) and 2 (RasGRF2), upstream regulators of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade, on cocaine self-administration (SA) in male mice. We first established a role for Ras-ERK signaling in cocaine SA, demonstrating that pERK1/2 is upregulated following SA in C57BL/6N mice in striatum. We then compared RasGRF1 and RasGRF2 KO mouse lines, demonstrating that cocaine SA in RasGRF2 KO mice was increased relative to WT controls, whereas RasGRF1 KO and WT mice did not differ. This effect in RasGRF2 mice is likely mediated by the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, as pERK1/2 upregulation following cocaine SA was absent in RasGRF2 KO mice. Interestingly, the lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2 in the NAc had the opposite effect to that in RasGRF2 KO mice, reducing cocaine SA. We subsequently demonstrated that the MEK inhibitor PD325901 administered peripherally prior to cocaine SA increased cocaine intake, replicating the increase seen in RasGRF2 KO mice, whereas PD325901 administered into the NAc decreased cocaine intake, similar to the effect seen following lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2. These data indicate a role for RasGRF2 in cocaine SA in mice that is ERK-dependent, and suggest a differential effect of global versus site-specific RasGRF2 inhibition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Exposure to drugs of abuse activates a variety of intracellular pathways, and following repeated exposure, persistent changes in these pathways contribute to drug dependence. Downstream components of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade are involved in the acute and chronic effects of drugs of abuse, but their upstream mediators have not been extensively characterized. Here we show, using a combination of molecular, pharmacological, and lentiviral techniques, that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RasGRF2 mediates cocaine self-administration via an ERK-dependent mechanism, whereas RasGRF1 has no effect on responding for cocaine. These data indicate dissociative effects of mediators of Ras activity on cocaine reward and expand the understanding of the contribution of Ras-ERK signaling to drug-taking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany,
| | - Anastasia Olevska
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Ilaria Morella
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Stefania Fasano
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Eugenio Santos
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Salamanca, Spain, 37007
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Division of Neuroscience, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom, and
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
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Newman EL, Leonard MZ, Arena DT, de Almeida RMM, Miczek KA. Social defeat stress and escalation of cocaine and alcohol consumption: Focus on CRF. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:151-165. [PMID: 30450381 PMCID: PMC6236516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the ostensibly aversive effects of unpredictable episodes of social stress and the intensely rewarding effects of drugs of abuse activate the mesocorticolimbic dopamine systems. Significant neuroadaptations in interacting stress and reward neurocircuitry may underlie the striking connection between stress and substance use disorders. In rodent models, recurring intermittent exposure to social defeat stress appears to produce a distinct profile of neuroadaptations that translates most readily to the repercussions of social stress in humans. In the present review, preclinical rodent models of social defeat stress and subsequent alcohol, cocaine or opioid consumption are discussed with regard to: (1) the temporal pattern of social defeat stress, (2) male and female protocols of social stress-escalated drug consumption, and (3) the neuroplastic effects of social stress, which may contribute to escalated drug-taking. Neuroadaptations in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF modulation of monoamines in the ventral tegmental area and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are highlighted as potential mechanisms underlying stress-escalated drug consumption. However, the specific mechanisms that drive CRF-mediated increases in dopamine require additional investigation as do the stress-induced neuroadaptations that may contribute to the development of compulsive patterns of drug-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Newman
- Psychology Dept., Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | | | | | - Rosa M M de Almeida
- Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Klaus A Miczek
- Psychology Dept., Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.,Dept. of Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
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Broccoli L, Uhrig S, von Jonquieres G, Schönig K, Bartsch D, Justice NJ, Spanagel R, Sommer W, Klugmann M, Hansson A. Targeted overexpression of CRH receptor subtype 1 in central amygdala neurons: effect on alcohol-seeking behavior. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1821-1833. [PMID: 29700576 PMCID: PMC7454014 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4908-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) system is a key mediator of stress-induced responses in alcohol-seeking behavior. Recent research has identified the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a brain region involved in the regulation of fear and stress-induced responses that is especially rich in CRH-positive neurons, as a key player in mediating excessive alcohol seeking. However, detailed characterization of the specific influences that local neuronal populations exert in mediating alcohol responses is hampered by current limitations in pharmacological and immunohistochemical tools for targeting CRH receptor subtype 1 (CRHR1). OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the effect of cell- and region-specific overexpression of CRHR1 in the CeA using a novel transgenic tool. METHODS Co-expression of CRHR1 in calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (αCaMKII) neurons of the amygdala was demonstrated by double immunohistochemistry using a Crhr1-GFP reporter mouse line. A Cre-inducible Crhr1-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV) was site-specifically injected into the CeA of αCaMKII-CreERT2 transgenic rats to analyze the role of CRHR1 in αCaMKII neurons on alcohol self-administration and reinstatement behavior. RESULTS Forty-eight percent of CRHR1-containing cells showed co-expression of αCaMKII in the CeA. AAV-mediated gene transfer in αCaMKII neurons induced a 24-fold increase of Crhr1 mRNA in the CeA which had no effect on locomotor activity, alcohol self-administration, or cue-induced reinstatement. However, rats overexpressing Crhr1 in the CeA increased responding in the stress-induced reinstatement task with yohimbine serving as a pharmacological stressor. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that CRHR1 overexpression in CeA-αCaMKII neurons is sufficient to mediate increased vulnerability to stress-triggered relapse into alcohol seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Broccoli
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - S. Uhrig
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - G. von Jonquieres
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - K. Schönig
- Dept. of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - D. Bartsch
- Dept. of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - N. J. Justice
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - R. Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - W.H. Sommer
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany,Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - M. Klugmann
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A.C. Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany,To whom correspondence should be addressed: Anita C. Hansson, PhD, Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute for Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Square J5, D-68159 Mannheim, Germany, Phone: +49 621 1703 6293, Fax: +49 621 1703 6255,
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