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Serra M, Simola N, Pollack AE, Costa G. Brain dysfunctions and neurotoxicity induced by psychostimulants in experimental models and humans: an overview of recent findings. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1908-1918. [PMID: 38227515 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that psychostimulants, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit brain dysfunctions and/or neurotoxic effects. Central toxicity induced by psychostimulants may pose serious health risks since the recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young people and adults. The present review provides an overview of recent research, conducted between 2018 and 2023, focusing on brain dysfunctions and neurotoxic effects elicited in experimental models and humans by amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methylphenidate, caffeine, and nicotine. Detailed elucidation of factors and mechanisms that underlie psychostimulant-induced brain dysfunction and neurotoxicity is crucial for understanding the acute and enduring noxious brain effects that may occur in individuals who use psychostimulants for recreational and/or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alexia E Pollack
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Munoz C, Jayanthi S, Ladenheim B, Cadet JL. Compulsive methamphetamine self-administration in the presence of adverse consequences is associated with increased hippocampal mRNA expression of cellular adhesion molecules. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1104657. [PMID: 36710935 PMCID: PMC9880890 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1104657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a popular but harmful psychostimulant. METH use disorder (MUD) is characterized by compulsive and continued use despite adverse life consequences. METH users experience impairments in learning and memory functions that are thought to be secondary to METH-induced abnormalities in the hippocampus. Recent studies have reported that about 50% of METH users develop MUD, suggesting that there may be differential molecular effects of METH between the brains of individuals who met criteria for addiction and those who did not after being exposed to the drug. The present study aimed at identifying potential transcriptional differences between compulsive and non-compulsive METH self-administering male rats by measuring global gene expression changes in the hippocampus using RNA sequencing. Herein, we used a model of METH self-administration (SA) accompanied by contingent foot-shock punishment. This approach led to the separation of animals into shock-resistant rats (compulsive) that continued to take METH and shock-sensitive rats (non-compulsive) that suppressed their METH intake in the presence of punished METH taking. Rats were euthanized 2 h after the last METH SA plus foot-shock session. Their hippocampi were immediately removed, frozen, and used later for RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses. RNA sequencing analyses revealed differential expression of mRNAs encoding cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) between the two rat phenotypes. qRT-PCR analyses showed significant higher levels of Cdh1, Glycam1, and Mpzl2 mRNAs in the compulsive rats in comparison to non-compulsive rats. The present results implicate altered CAM expression in the hippocampus in the behavioral manifestations of continuous compulsive METH taking in the presence of adverse consequences. Our results raise the novel possibility that altered CAM expression might play a role in compulsive METH taking and the cognitive impairments observed in MUD patients.
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Zare N, Maghsoudi N, Mirbehbahani SH, Foolad F, Khakpour S, Mansouri Z, Khodagholi F, Ghorbani Yekta B. Prenatal Methamphetamine Hydrochloride Exposure Leads to Signal Transduction Alteration and Cell Death in the Prefrontal Cortex and Amygdala of Male and Female Rats' Offspring. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:2233-2241. [PMID: 36056281 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02062-2] [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: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been a great increase in methamphetamine hydrochloride (METH) abuse by pregnant women that exposes fetus and human offspring to a wide variety of developmental impairments that may be the underlying causes of future psychosocial issues. Herein, we investigated whether prenatal METH exposure with different doses (2 and 5 mg/kg) could influence neuronal cell death and antioxidant level in the different brain regions of adult male and female offspring. Adult male and female Wistar rats prenatally exposed to METH (2 or 5 mg/kg) and/or saline was used in this study. At week 12, adult rats' offspring were decapitated to collect different brain region tissues including amygdala (AMY) and prefrontal cortices (PFC). Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the apoptosis- and autophagy-related markers, and enzymatic assay was used to measure the level of catalase and also reduced glutathione (GSH). Our results showed that METH exposure during pregnancy increased the level of apoptosis (BAX/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3) and autophagy (Beclin-1 and LC3II/LC3I) in the PFC and AMY areas of both male and female offspring's brain. Also, we found an elevation in the GSH content of all both mentioned brain areas and catalase activity of PFC in the offspring's brain. These changes were more significant in female offspring. Being prenatally exposed to METH increased cell death at least partly via apoptosis and autophagy in AMY and PFC of male and female offspring's brain, while the antioxidant system tried to protect cells in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayereh Zare
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Maghsoudi
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hamidreza Mirbehbahani
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Foolad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Khakpour
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Mansouri
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Khodagholi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Batool Ghorbani Yekta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. .,Herbal Pharmacology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Biochemical Neuroadaptations in the Rat Striatal Dopaminergic System after Prolonged Exposure to Methamphetamine Self-Administration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710092. [PMID: 36077488 PMCID: PMC9456063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbations in striatal dopamine (DA) homeostasis might underlie the behavioral and pathobiological consequences of METH use disorder in humans. To identify potential consequences of long-term METH exposure, we modeled the adverse consequence DSM criterion of substance use disorders by giving footshocks to rats that had escalated their intake of METH during a drug self-administration procedure. Next, DA D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 was injected. Thereafter, rats were euthanized to measure several indices of the striatal dopaminergic system. Footshocks split the METH rats into two phenotypes: (i) shock-sensitive that decreased their METH-intake and (ii) shock-resistant that continued their METH intake. SCH23390 caused substantial dose-dependent reduction of METH taking in both groups. Stopping SCH23390 caused re-emergence of compulsive METH taking in shock-resistant rats. Compulsive METH takers also exhibited greater incubation of METH seeking than non-compulsive rats during withdrawal from METH SA. Analyses of DA metabolism revealed non-significant decreases (about 35%) in DA levels in resistant and sensitive rats. However, striatal contents of the deaminated metabolites, DOPAL and DOPAC, were significantly increased in sensitive rats. VMAT2 and DAT protein levels were decreased in both phenotypes. Moreover, protein expression levels of the D1-like DA receptor, D5R, and D2-like DA receptors, D3R and D4R, were significantly decreased in the compulsive METH takers. Our results parallel findings in post-mortem striatal tissues of human METH users who develop Parkinsonism after long-term METH intake and support the use of this model to investigate potential therapeutic interventions for METH use disorder.
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Guo D, Huang X, Xiong T, Wang X, Zhang J, Wang Y, Liang J. Molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death in methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:980340. [PMID: 36059947 PMCID: PMC9428134 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.980340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as METH, is a highly addictive psychostimulant and one of the most commonly misused drugs on the planet. Using METH continuously can increase your risk for drug addiction, along with other health complications like attention deficit disorder, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Neurotoxicity caused by METH is thought to play a significant role in the onset of these neurological complications. The molecular mechanisms responsible for METH-caused neuronal damage are discussed in this review. According to our analysis, METH is closely associated with programmed cell death (PCD) in the process that causes neuronal impairment, such as apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. In reviewing this article, some insights are gained into how METH addiction is accompanied by cell death and may help to identify potential therapeutic targets for the neurological impairment caused by METH abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Guo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinlei Huang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tianqing Xiong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xingyi Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yingge Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jingyan Liang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jingyan Liang,
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Jayanthi S, Peesapati R, McCoy MT, Ladenheim B, Cadet JL. Footshock-Induced Abstinence from Compulsive Methamphetamine Self-administration in Rat Model Is Accompanied by Increased Hippocampal Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1 and CB2). Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1238-1248. [PMID: 34978045 PMCID: PMC8857101 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02656-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder (MUD) is characterized by compulsive and repeated drug taking despite negative life consequences. Large intake of METH in humans and animals is accompanied by dysfunctions in learning and memory processes. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is known to modulate synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions. In addition, the ECS has been implicated in some of the manifestations of substance use disorders (SUDs). We therefore sought to identify potential changes in the expression of various enzymes and of the receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are members of that system. Herein, we used a model of METH self-administration (SA) that includes a punishment phase (footshocks) that helps to separate rats into a compulsive METH phenotype (compulsive) that continues to take METH and a non-compulsive METH (abstinent) group that suppressed or stopped taking METH. Animals were euthanized 2 h after the last METH SA session and their hippocampi were used to measure mRNA levels of cannabinoid receptors (CB/Cnr), as well as those of synthesizing (DAGL-A, DAGL-B, NAPEPLD) and metabolizing (MGLL, FAAH, PTGS2) enzymes of the endocannabinoid cascade. Non-compulsive rats exhibited significant increased hippocampal expression of CB1/Cnr1 and CB2/Cnr2 mRNAs. mRNA levels of the synthesizing enzyme, DAGL-A, and of the metabolic enzymes, MGLL and FAAH, were also increased. Non-compulsive rats also exhibited a significant decrease in hippocampal Ptgs2 mRNA levels. Taken together, these observations implicate the hippocampal endocannabinoid system in the suppression of METH intake in the presence of adverse consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ritvik Peesapati
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Michael T McCoy
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Sun Z, Huai Z, He Q, Liu Z. A General Picture of Cucurbit[8]uril Host-Guest Binding. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:6107-6134. [PMID: 34818004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Describing, understanding, and designing complex interaction networks within macromolecular systems remain challenging in modern chemical research. Host-guest systems, despite their relative simplicity in both the structural feature and interaction patterns, still pose problems in theoretical modeling. The barrel-shaped supramolecular container cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) shows promising functionalities in various areas, e.g., catalysis and molecular recognition. It can stably coordinate a series of structurally diverse guests with high affinities. In this work, we examine the binding of seven commonly abused drugs to the CB8 host, aiming at providing a general picture of CB8-guest binding. Extensive sampling of the configurational space of these host-guest systems is performed, and the binding pathway and interaction patterns of CB8-guest complexes are investigated. A thorough comparison of widely used fixed-charge models for drug-like molecules is presented. Iterative refitting of the atomic charges suggests significant conformation dependence of charge generation. The initial model generated at the original conformation could be inaccurate for new conformations explored during conformational search, and the newly fitted charge set improves the prediction-experiment correlation significantly. Our investigations of the configurational space of CB8-drug complexes suggest that the host-guest interactions are more complex than expected. Despite the structural simplicities of these molecules, the conformational fluctuations of the host and the guest molecules and orientations of functional groups lead to the existence of an ensemble of binding modes. The insights of the binding thermodynamics, performance of fixed-charge models, and binding patterns of the CB8-guest systems are useful for studying and elucidating the binding mechanism of other host-guest complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxi Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhe Huai
- XtalPi-AI Research Center (XARC), 9F, Tower A, Dongsheng Building, No. 8, Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Qiaole He
- AI Department of Enzymaster (Ningbo) Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd., North Century Avenue 333, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Jayanthi S, Daiwile AP, Cadet JL. Neurotoxicity of methamphetamine: Main effects and mechanisms. Exp Neurol 2021; 344:113795. [PMID: 34186102 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit psychostimulant that is abused throughout the world. METH addiction is also a major public health concern and the abuse of large doses of the drug is often associated with serious neuropsychiatric consequences that may include agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis. Some human methamphetamine users can also suffer from attention, memory, and executive deficits. METH-associated neurological and psychiatric complications might be related, in part, to METH-induced neurotoxic effects. Those include altered dopaminergic and serotonergic functions, neuronal apoptosis, astrocytosis, and microgliosis. Here we have endeavored to discuss some of the main effects of the drug and have presented the evidence supporting certain of the molecular and cellular bases of METH neurotoxicity. The accumulated evidence suggests the involvement of transcription factors, activation of dealth pathways that emanate from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and a role for neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Understanding the molecular processes involved in METH induced neurotoxicity should help in developing better therapeutic approaches that might also serve to attenuate or block the biological consequences of use of large doses of the drug by some humans who meet criteria for METH use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Atul P Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America.
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Limanaqi F, Busceti CL, Celli R, Biagioni F, Fornai F. Autophagy as a gateway for the effects of methamphetamine: From neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 204:102112. [PMID: 34171442 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As a major eukaryotic cell clearing machinery, autophagy grants cell proteostasis, which is key for neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival. In line with this, besides neuropathological events, autophagy dysfunctions are bound to synaptic alterations that occur in mental disorders, and early on, in neurodegenerative diseases. This is also the case of methamphetamine (METH) abuse, which leads to psychiatric disturbances and neurotoxicity. While consistently altering the autophagy machinery, METH produces behavioral and neurotoxic effects through molecular and biochemical events that can be recapitulated by autophagy blockade. These consist of altered physiological dopamine (DA) release, abnormal stimulation of DA and glutamate receptors, as well as oxidative, excitotoxic, and neuroinflammatory events. Recent molecular insights suggest that METH early impairs the autophagy machinery, though its functional significance remains to be investigated. Here we discuss evidence suggesting that alterations of DA transmission and autophagy are intermingled within a chain of events underlying behavioral alterations and neurodegenerative phenomena produced by METH. Understanding how METH alters the autophagy machinery is expected to provide novel insights into the neurobiology of METH addiction sharing some features with psychiatric disorders and parkinsonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 55, 56126, Pisa, PI, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Celli
- IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 55, 56126, Pisa, PI, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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McCoy MT, Jayanthi S, Cadet JL. Potassium Channels and Their Potential Roles in Substance Use Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1249. [PMID: 33513859 PMCID: PMC7865894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are ubiquitous throughout the world. However, much remains to be done to develop pharmacotherapies that are very efficacious because the focus has been mostly on using dopaminergic agents or opioid agonists. Herein we discuss the potential of using potassium channel activators in SUD treatment because evidence has accumulated to support a role of these channels in the effects of rewarding drugs. Potassium channels regulate neuronal action potential via effects on threshold, burst firing, and firing frequency. They are located in brain regions identified as important for the behavioral responses to rewarding drugs. In addition, their expression profiles are influenced by administration of rewarding substances. Genetic studies have also implicated variants in genes that encode potassium channels. Importantly, administration of potassium agonists have been shown to reduce alcohol intake and to augment the behavioral effects of opioid drugs. Potassium channel expression is also increased in animals with reduced intake of methamphetamine. Together, these results support the idea of further investing in studies that focus on elucidating the role of potassium channels as targets for therapeutic interventions against SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (M.T.M.); (S.J.)
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