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- Jayaram-Lindstrom, N., et al.
(author)
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Naltrexone modulates dopamine release following chronic, but not acute amphetamine administration: a translational study
- 2017
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In: Translational Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2158-3188. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The opioid antagonist naltrexone has been shown to attenuate the subjective effects of amphetamine. However, the mechanisms behind this modulatory effect are currently unknown. We hypothesized that naltrexone would diminish the striatal dopamine release induced by amphetamine, which is considered an important mechanism behind many of its stimulant properties. We used positron emission tomography and the dopamine D2-receptor radioligand [C-11]raclopride in healthy subjects to study the dopaminergic effects of an amphetamine injection after pretreatment with naltrexone or placebo. In a rat model, we used microdialysis to study the modulatory effects of naltrexone on dopamine levels after acute and chronic amphetamine exposure. In healthy humans, naltrexone attenuated the subjective effects of amphetamine, confirming our previous results. Amphetamine produced a significant reduction in striatal radioligand binding, indicating increased levels of endogenous dopamine. However, there was no statistically significant effect of naltrexone on dopamine release. The same pattern was observed in rats, where an acute injection of amphetamine caused a significant rise in striatal dopamine levels, with no effect of naltrexone pretreatment. However, in a chronic model, naltrexone significantly attenuated the dopamine release caused by reinstatement of amphetamine. Collectively, these data suggest that the opioid system becomes engaged during the more chronic phase of drug use, evidenced by the modulatory effect of naltrexone on dopamine release following chronic amphetamine administration. The importance of opioid-dopamine interactions in the reinforcing and addictive effects of amphetamine is highlighted by the present findings and may help to facilitate medication development in the field of stimulant dependence.
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- Kobayashi, Naoki, et al.
(author)
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Device Improvement by Video Analysis of User Tests: Case Study of a Robotic Assistive Device for the Frail : Case Study of a Robotic Assistive Device for the Frail
- 2019
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In: IET Conference Publications, Volume 2019, Issue CP755. - : Institution of Engineering and Technology. - 9781839530883
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- There is a growing need in recent years for products with high usability. Conventionally, researchers have only focused on the interactions between user and device in carrying out user tests. We have premised our research, however, on the assumption that there exist two users in the use of robotic assistive devices: a frail person, such as an elderly person who needs care, and the caregiver who provides support. As an approach to making a video analysis of a user test, we propose a methodology that focuses on the perspectives of these two users. We used behaviour analysis to compare two videos: one showing a frail elderly person being fed by a caregiver and the other showing the same person eating food on their own with the help of a robotic assistive device. Our finding based on these videos was that the robotic assistive device reduces the burden of caregivers and increases the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Also, we discovered that this methodology using video analysis is useful in pinpointing improvements that can be made in the device.
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