| 1. |
- Barbier, Estelle, et al.
(author)
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Downregulation of Synaptotagmin 1 in the Prelimbic Cortex Drives Alcohol-Associated Behaviors in Rats
- 2021
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In: Biological Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3223 .- 1873-2402. ; 89:4, s. 398-406
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Alcohol addiction is characterized by persistent neuroadaptations in brain structures involved in motivation, emotion, and decision making, including the medial prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, and the amygdala. We previously reported that induction of alcohol dependence was associated with long-term changes in the expression of genes involved in neurotransmitter release. Specifically, Syt1, which plays a key role in neurotransmitter release and neuronal functions, was downregulated. Here, we therefore examined the role of Syt1 in alcohol-associated behaviors in rats. Methods: We evaluated the effect of Syt1 downregulation using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing a short hairpin RNA against Syt1. Cre-dependent Syt1 was also used in combination with an rAAV2 retro-Cre virus to assess circuit-specific effects of Syt1 knockdown (KD). Results: Alcohol-induced downregulation of Syt1 is specific to the prelimbic cortex (PL), and KD of Syt1 in the PL resulted in escalated alcohol consumption, increased motivation to consume alcohol, and increased alcohol drinking despite negative consequences (“compulsivity”). Syt1 KD in the PL altered the excitation/inhibition balance in the basolateral amygdala, while the nucleus accumbens core was unaffected. Accordingly, a projection-specific Syt1 KD in the PL–basolateral amygdala projection was sufficient to increase compulsive alcohol drinking, while a KD of Syt1 restricted to PL–nucleus accumbens core projecting neurons had no effect on tested alcohol-related behaviors. Conclusions: Together, these data suggest that dysregulation of Syt1 is an important mechanism in long-term neuroadaptations observed after a history of alcohol dependence, and that Syt1 regulates alcohol-related behaviors in part by affecting a PL–basolateral amygdala brain circuit. © 2020 Society of Biological Psychiatry
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| 2. |
- Domi, Ana, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Abstinence-Induced Nicotine Seeking Relays on a Persistent Hypoglutamatergic State within the Amygdalo-Striatal Neurocircuitry
- 2023
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In: eNeuro. - : Society for Neuroscience. - 2373-2822. ; 10:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nicotine robustly sustains smoking behavior by acting as a primary reinforcer and by enhancing the incentive salience of the nicotine-associated stimuli. The motivational effects produced by environmental cues associated with nicotine delivery can progressively manifest during abstinence resulting in reinstatement of nicotine seeking. However, how the activity in reward neuronal circuits is transformed during abstinence-induced nicotine seeking is not yet fully under-stood. In here we used a contingent nicotine and saline control self-administration model to disentangle the contribu-tion of cue-elicited seeking responding for nicotine after drug abstinence in male Wistar rats. Using ex vivo electrophysiological recordings and a network analysis approach, we defined temporal and brain-region specific amyg-dalo-striatal glutamatergic alterations that occur during nicotine abstinence. The results from this study provide critical evidence indicating a persistent hypoglutamatergic state within the amygdalo-striatal neurocircuitry over protracted nic-otine abstinence. During abstinence-induced nicotine seeking, electrophysiological recordings showed progressive neu-roadaptations in dorsal and ventral striatum already at 14-d abstinence while neuroadaptations in subregions of the amygdala emerged only after 28-d abstinence. The observed neuroadaptations pointed to a brain network involving the amygdala and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) to be implied in cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. Together these data suggest long-lasting neuroadaptations that might reflect neuroplastic changes responsible to ab-stinence-induced nicotine craving. Neurophysiological transformations were detected within a time window that allows therapeutic intervention advancing clinical development of preventive strategies in nicotine addiction.
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| 3. |
- Domi, Ana, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Targeting the Opioid Receptors: A Promising Therapeutic Avenue for Treatment in "Heavy Drinking Smokers"
- 2021
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In: Alcohol and Alcoholism. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0735-0414 .- 1464-3502. ; 56:2, s. 127-138
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: Despite a general decline in tobacco use in the last decades, the prevalence of tobacco smoking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains substantial (45-50%). Importantly, the co-use of both substances potentiates the adverse effects, making it a significant public health problem. Substantial evidence suggests that AUD and Tobacco use disorder (TUD) may share common mechanisms. Targeting these mechanisms may therefore provide more effective therapy. Numerous studies describe a potential role of the endogenous opioid system in both AUD and TUD. Reviewing this literature, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of molecules that target the opioid system as promising therapeutic interventions for treating alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders. Methods: We provide a synthesis of the current epidemiological knowledge of alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders. We evaluate clinical and preclinical research that focuses on the regulation of the endogenous opioid system in alcohol, nicotine, and their interactions. Results: The epidemiological data confirm that smoking stimulates heavy drinking and facilitates alcohol craving. Pharmacological findings suggest that treatments that are efficacious in the dual addiction provide a beneficial treatment outcome in comorbid AUD and TUD. In this regard, MOP, DOP and NOP-receptor antagonists show promising results, while the findings prompt caution when considering KOP-receptor antagonists as a treatment option in alcohol and tobacco co-use disorders. Conclusions: Existing literature suggests a role of the opioid system in sustaining the high comorbidity rates of AUD and TUD. Molecules targeting opioid receptors may therefore represent promising therapeutic interventions in 'heavy drinking smokers.'
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| 4. |
- Domi, Esi, et al.
(author)
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Further evidence for the involvement of the PPAR gamma system on alcohol intake and sensitivity in rodents
- 2020
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In: Psychopharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0033-3158 .- 1432-2072. ; 237, s. 2983-2992
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale Peroxisome Proliferator Activator receptors (PPARs) are intracellular receptors that function as transcription factors, which regulate specific metabolic and inflammatory processes. PPARs are broadly distributed in the body and are also expressed in the central nervous system, especially in areas involved in addiction-related behavioral responses. Recent studies support a role of PPARs in alcoholism and pioglitazone: a PPAR gamma agonist used for treatment of type 2 diabetes showed efficacy in reducing alcohol drinking, stress-induced relapse, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Objectives and Methods In the current work, we tested the pharmacological effects of pioglitazone on binge-like alcohol consumption using an intermittent two-bottle choice paradigm in Wistar rats and on the "drinking in the dark" (DID) model in mice with selective deletion of PPAR gamma in neurons. Results Our data show that repeated administration of pioglitazone (10, 30 mg/kg) reduces high voluntary alcohol consumption in Wistar rats. Pre-treatment with the selective PPAR gamma antagonist GW9662 (5 mg/kg) completely prevented the effect of pioglitazone, demonstrating that its action is specifically mediated by activation of PPAR gamma. In line with this result, repeated administration of pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) attenuated binge alcohol consumption in PPAR gamma((+/+)) mice. Whereas in PPAR gamma((-/-)) mice, which exhibit reduced alcohol consumption, pioglitazone had no effect. Of note, PPAR gamma((-/-)) mice exhibited lower patterns of alcohol drinking without showing difference in sucrose (control) intake. Interestingly, PPAR gamma((-/-)) mice displayed a higher sensitivity to the sedative and ataxic effect of alcohol compared with their wild-type counterpart. Conclusions Collectively, these data suggest that PPAR gamma agonists, and specifically pioglitazone, could be potential therapeutics for the treatment of binge alcohol drinking.
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| 5. |
- Domi, Esi, et al.
(author)
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Neurobiology of alcohol seeking behavior
- 2021
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In: Journal of Neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 0022-3042 .- 1471-4159. ; 157:5, s. 1585-1614
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alcohol addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences. A main challenge of addiction treatment is to prevent relapse, which occurs in more than >50% of newly abstinent patients with alcohol disorder within 3 months. In people suffering from alcohol addiction, stressful events, drug-associated cues and contexts, or re-exposure to a small amount of alcohol trigger a chain of behaviors that frequently culminates in relapse. In this review, we first present the preclinical models that were developed for the study of alcohol seeking behavior, namely the reinstatement model of alcohol relapse and compulsive alcohol seeking under a chained schedule of reinforcement. We then provide an overview of the neurobiological findings obtained using these animal models, focusing on the role of opioids systems, corticotropin-release hormone and neurokinins, followed by dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurotransmissions in alcohol seeking behavior.
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| 6. |
- Ademar, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Acamprosate reduces ethanol intake in the rat by a combined action of different drug components
- 2023
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In: Scientific Reports. - 2045-2322. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alcohol misuse accounts for a sizeable proportion of the global burden of disease, and Campral (R) (acamprosate; calcium-bis-(N-acetylhomotaurinate)) is widely used as relapse prevention therapy. The mechanism underlying its effect has in some studies been attributed to the calcium moiety and not to the N-acetylhomotaurine part of the compound. We recently suggested that the dopamine elevating effect of acamprosate is mediated both by N-acetylhomotaurine and calcium in a glycine receptor dependent manner. Here we aimed to explore, by means of in vivo microdialysis, if our previous study using local administration was functionally relevant and if systemic administration of the sodium salt of N-acetylhomotaurine (sodium acamprosate; 200 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl2; 73.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on nucleus accumbens (nAc) dopamine and/or taurine levels in male Wistar rats. In addition, we investigated the impact of regular acamprosate and the combination of CaCl(2 )and N-acetylhomotaurine on the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE). Finally, we assessed if N-acetylhomotaurine potentiates the ethanol-intake reducing effect of CaCl(2 )in a two-bottle choice voluntary ethanol consumption model followed by an ADE paradigm. Systemic administration of regular acamprosate, sodium acamprosate and CaCl(2 )all trended to increase nAc dopamine whereas the combination of CaCl(2)and sodium acamprosate produced a significant increase. Sodium acamprosate elevated extracellular taurine levels without additional effects of CaCl2. Ethanol intake was significantly reduced by systemic administration of CaCl(2 )without additional effects of the combination of CaCl(2 )and sodium acamprosate. Both acamprosate and CaCl(2 )combined with sodium acamprosate blocked the ADE following acute treatment. The data presented suggest that CaCl(2 )and N-acetylhomotaurine act in concert on a neurochemical level, but calcium appears to have the predominant effect on ethanol intake.
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| 7. |
- Adermark, Louise, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Astrocytes modulate extracellular neurotransmitter levels and excitatory neurotransmission in dorsolateral striatum via dopamine D2 receptor signaling
- 2022
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In: Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0893-133X .- 1740-634X. ; 47:8, s. 1493-1502
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Astrocytes provide structural and metabolic support of neuronal tissue, but may also be involved in shaping synaptic output. To further define the role of striatal astrocytes in modulating neurotransmission we performed in vivo microdialysis and ex vivo slice electrophysiology combined with metabolic, chemogenetic, and pharmacological approaches. Microdialysis recordings revealed that intrastriatal perfusion of the metabolic uncoupler fluorocitrate (FC) produced a robust increase in extracellular glutamate levels, with a parallel and progressive decline in glutamine. In addition, FC significantly increased the microdialysate concentrations of dopamine and taurine, but did not modulate the extracellular levels of glycine or serine. Despite the increase in glutamate levels, ex vivo electrophysiology demonstrated a reduced excitability of striatal neurons in response to FC. The decrease in evoked potentials was accompanied by an increased paired pulse ratio, and a reduced frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that FC depresses striatal output by reducing the probability of transmitter release. The effect by FC was mimicked by chemogenetic inhibition of astrocytes using G(i)-coupled designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) targeting GFAP, and by the glial glutamate transporter inhibitor TFB-TBOA. Both FC- and TFB-TBOA-mediated synaptic depression were inhibited in brain slices pre-treated with the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride, but insensitive to agents acting on presynaptic glutamatergic autoreceptors, NMDA receptors, gap junction coupling, cannabinoid 1 receptors, mu-opioid receptors, P2 receptors or GABA(A) receptors. In conclusion, our data collectively support a role for astrocytes in modulating striatal neurotransmission and suggest that reduced transmission after astrocytic inhibition involves dopamine.
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| 8. |
- Domi, Ana, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Nicotine but not saline self-administering or yoked control conditions produces sustained neuroadaptations in the accumbens shell
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1662-5099. ; 16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IntroductionUsing yoked animals as the control when monitoring operant drug-self-administration is considered the golden standard. However, instrumental learning per se recruits several neurocircuits that may produce distinct or overlapping neuroadaptations with drugs of abuse. The aim of this project was to assess if contingent responding for nicotine or saline in the presence of a light stimulus as a conditioned reinforcer is associated with sustained neurophysiological adaptations in the nucleus accumbens shell (nAcS), a brain region repeatedly associated with reward related behaviors. MethodsTo this end, nicotine-or saline-administrating rats and yoked-saline stimulus-unpaired training conditions were assessed in operant boxes over four consecutive weeks. After four additional weeks of home cage forced abstinence and subsequent cue reinforced responding under extinction conditions, ex vivo electrophysiology was performed in the nAcS medium spiny neurons (MSNs). ResultsWhole cell recordings conducted in voltage and current-clamp mode showed that excitatory synapses in the nAcS were altered after prolonged forced abstinence from nicotine self-administration. We observed an increase in sEPSC amplitude in animals with a history of contingent nicotine SA potentially indicating higher excitability of accumbal MSNs, which was further supported by current clamp recordings. Interestingly no sustained neuroadaptations were elicited in saline exposed rats from nicotine associated visual cues compared to the yoked controls. ConclusionThe data presented here indicate that nicotine self-administration produces sustained neuroadaptations in the nAcS while operant responding driven by nicotine visual stimuli has no long-term effects on MSNs in nAcS.
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| 9. |
- Marti-Prats, Lucia, et al.
(author)
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The development of compulsive coping behavior depends on dorsolateral striatum dopamine-dependent mechanisms
- 2023
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In: MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY. - 1359-4184 .- 1476-5578. ; 28, s. 4666-4678
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Humans greatly differ in how they cope with stress, a natural behavior learnt through negative reinforcement. Some individuals engage in displacement activities, others in exercise or comfort eating, and others still in alcohol use. Across species, adjunctive behaviors, such as polydipsic drinking, are used as a form of displacement activity that reduces stress. Some individuals, in particular those that use alcohol to self-medicate, tend to lose control over such coping behaviors, which become excessive and compulsive. However, the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying this individual vulnerability have not been elucidated. Here we tested the hypothesis that the development of compulsive adjunctive behaviors stems from the functional engagement of the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) dopamine-dependent habit system after a prolonged history of adjunctive responding. We measured in longitudinal studies in male Sprague Dawley rats the sensitivity of early established vs compulsive polydipsic water or alcohol drinking to a bilateral infusion into the anterior DLS (aDLS) of the dopamine receptor antagonist & alpha;-flupentixol. While most rats acquired a polydipsic drinking response with water, others only did so with alcohol. Whether drinking water or alcohol, the acquisition of this coping response was insensitive to aDLS dopamine receptor blockade. In contrast, after prolonged experience, adjunctive drinking became dependent on aDLS dopamine at a time when it was compulsive in vulnerable individuals. These data suggest that habits may develop out of negative reinforcement and that the engagement of their underlying striatal system is necessary for the manifestation of compulsive adjunctive behaviors.
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| 10. |
- Vestin, Edvin, et al.
(author)
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Differential and long-lasting changes in neurotransmission in the amygdala of male Wistar rats during extended amphetamine abstinence
- 2022
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In: Neuropharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0028-3908. ; 210
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amphetamine addiction is associated with maladaptive actions that promotes continued use despite negative consequences, and a high risk of relapse even after protracted abstinence. Considering the role of the amygdala in regulating incentive motivation and reward-based behavior, the aim of this study was to assess neuroadaptations in subregions of the amygdala elicited by a brief period of discontinuous amphetamine exposure (2.0 mg/kg/day, 5 days) followed by abstinence (2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months) in male Wistar rats. Electrophysiological field potential recordings demonstrated that repeated amphetamine exposure significantly depressed evoked populations spikes in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Evoked populations spikes were normalized after three months abstinence, but one challenge dose of amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg) was sufficient to reinstate synaptic depression in animals previously receiving amphetamine. In the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), amphetamine produced a long-lasting hyperexcitability that sustained even after three months abstinence. In the CeA, there were no significant differences between treatment groups following bath perfusion of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, indicating that amphetamine acts by reducing the inhibitory tone. Recordings performed in brain subregions interlinked with the amygdala, including medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens shell (nAc), revealed no significant neuroadaptations after two weeks abstinence. However, synaptic output was significantly depressed in the nAc after one-and three-month abstinence. In conclusion, the data presented here shows that five days of discontinuous exposure to amphetamine is sufficient to produce long-lasting neuroadaptations, which may contribute to compulsive drug taking and increase the risk for relapse.
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