Importance of D(1) receptors for associative components of amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and conditioned activity: a study using D(1) receptor knockout mice

Differential roles of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-containing neurons of the nucleus accumbens shell in behavioral sensitization

The nucleus accumbens (Nac) mediates the reinforcing and motor stimulating properties of psychostimulants. It receives dopaminergic afferents from the ventral midbrain and is divided into two distinct subregions: shell and core. Each of these contains two subtypes of medium spiny neurons, which express either dopamine D1 (D1R) or D2 (D2R) receptors. However, functional dissociation between the two subtypes in psychostimulant response remains to be elucidated. We performed selective ablation of each subtype in the Nac shell in mice, using immunotoxin-mediated cell targeting, and examined the behavioral sensitization evoked by repeated administration of methamphetamine. The D1R cell-ablated mice exhibited delayed induction of sensitized locomotion compared to control mice, whereas the D2R cell-ablated mice showed a mildly enhanced rate of induction of sensitization. In vivo microdialysis revealed a marked blockade of the increase in extracellular dopamine in the Nac of the D1R cell-ablated animals in response to methamphetamine, indicating that the observed delay in behavioral sensitization in these mice involves an impairment in accumbal dopamine release. Our results reveal differential roles of D1R- and D2R-containing accumbal shell neurons in the development of behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants. Behavioral sensitization, enhanced motility by repetitive psychostimulant administration, is a model of drug addiction. Here, we show that the nucleus accumbens (Nac) shell neurons containing dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) or D2 receptor (D2R) play distinct roles in behavioral sensitization triggered by methamphetamine, and that D1R-containing neurons enhance the induction of behavioral sensitization at the early phase, whereas D2R-containing neurons act to suppress the rate of development of the behavior.

Age-dependent differences in the strength and persistence of psychostimulant-induced conditioned activity in rats: effects of a single environment-cocaine pairing

The aim of the present study was to determine the strength and persistence of cocaine-induced conditioned activity in young and adult rats. A one-trial protocol has proven useful for studying the ontogeny of psychostimulant-induced behavioral sensitization; therefore, a similar procedure was used to examine conditioned activity. On postnatal day (PD) 19 or PD 80, rats were injected with saline or cocaine in either a novel test chamber or the home cage. After various drug abstinence intervals (1-21 days), rats were injected with saline and returned to the test chamber, where conditioned activity was assessed. In a separate experiment, we examined whether cocaine-induced conditioned activity was a consequence of Pavlovian conditioning or a failure to habituate to the test environment. The results indicated that adult rats showed strong one-trial conditioned activity that persisted for at least 21 days, whereas young rats did not show a conditioned locomotor response. The conditioned activity shown by adult rats did not result from a failure to habituate to the cocaine-paired environment. These results indicate that cocaine-paired contextual stimuli differentially affect behavior depending on the age of the animal. The data obtained from adult rats have potential translational relevance for humans because a single environment-drug pairing caused long-term alterations in behavior.

Time-dependent effects of prazosin on the development of methamphetamine conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization in mice

The present experiments examined the effects of prazosin, a selective α₁-adrenergic receptor antagonist, on the development of methamphetamine conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization. Mice received an injection of vehicle (distilled water) or prazosin (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg) 30 min prior to a second injection of vehicle (saline) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) during the conditioning sessions (Experiment 1). Following the conditioning sessions, mice were tested for conditioned hyperactivity and then tested for context-specific sensitization. In subsequent experiments, mice received an injection of vehicle (distilled water) or prazosin (2.0 mg/kg) immediately (Experiment 2) or 24 h (Experiment 3) after the conditioning sessions and then tested for conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization. Prazosin dose-dependently blocked the development of methamphetamine conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization when administered prior to the methamphetamine during the conditioning phase; however nonspecific motor impairments also were observed (Experiment 1). Immediate (Experiment 2), but not the 24-h delay (Experiment 3), post-session administration of prazosin attenuated the development of methamphetamine conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization. Nonspecific motor impairments were not observed in these latter experiments. Collectively, these results suggest that the α₁-adrenergic receptor mediates the development of methamphetamine-conditioned hyperactivity and context-specific sensitization, perhaps by altering memory consolidation and/or reconsolidation processes.

Neural substrates of amphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization: unconditioned (zero context) and conditioned (switch versus same context) components in c-fos overexpression

The neural substrates of the unconditioned and conditioned components of amphetamine (AMPH)-induced behavioral sensitization remain unknown. The present study examines the brain activation of rats in response to an AMPH challenge with augmented locomotion in groups receiving chronic AMPH under chloral hydrate anesthetization (i.e., the 'zero context') or when tested in the 'same context' as a chronic treatment, or when tested in a 'different context'. The neural activations of the three groups reveal fairly consistent patterns: (a) The substantia nigra is activated in the same context condition and the pure AMPH effect (i.e., the zero context with the unconditioned component), but not in the switch context condition. (b) The ventral pallidum showed Fos expression in the switch context and the same context, but not in the zero context condition. (c) The other nuclei, including the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, medial thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and ventral tegmental area, are activated in all contextual conditions and the pure AMPH effect (the zero context). The context exerts definable effects on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system on AMPH-induced behavioral sensitization. (d) The ventral pallidum and the substantia nigra activations dissociate the unconditioned component from the conditioned component in behavioral sensitization. Further studies are needed to determine how these two nuclei mediate the effect in terms of primary and conditioned rewards.

Accelerated habit formation following amphetamine exposure is reversed by D1, but enhanced by D2, receptor antagonists

Repeated exposure to the psychostimulant amphetamine has been shown to disrupt goal-directed instrumental actions and promote the early and abnormal development of goal-insensitive habitual responding (Nelson and Killcross, 2006). To investigate the neuropharmacological specificity of this effect as well as restore goal-directed responding in animals with pre-training amphetamine exposure, animals were treated with the non-selective dopamine antagonist α-flupenthixol, the selective D₁ antagonist SCH 23390 or the selective D₂ antagonist eticlopride, prior to instrumental training (three sessions). Subsequently, the reinforcer was paired with LiCL-induced gastric-malaise and animals were given a test of goal-sensitivity both in extinction and reacquisition. The effect of these dopaminergic antagonists on the sensitivity of lever press performance to outcome devaluation was assessed in animals with pre-training exposure to amphetamine (Experiments 1A–C) or in non-sensitized animals (Experiment 2). Both α-flupenthixol and SCH23390 reversed accelerated habit formation following amphetamine sensitization. However, eticlopride appeared to enhance this effect and render instrumental performance compulsive as these animals were unable to inhibit responding both in extinction and reacquisition, even though a consumption test confirmed they had acquired an aversion to the reinforcer. These findings demonstrate that amphetamine induced-disruption of goal-directed behavior is mediated by activity at distinct dopamine receptor subtypes and may represent a putative model of the neurochemical processes involved in the loss of voluntary control over behavior.

One-trial behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats: differential effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, and D-amphetamine

RATIONALE

Preweanling rats exhibit robust one-trial cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization; however, it is uncertain whether other psychostimulants can also induce sensitization in young rats using the one-trial procedure.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether methamphetamine, methylphenidate, and D: -amphetamine are capable of inducing one-trial locomotor sensitization in preweanling rats.

METHODS

In a series of four experiments, rats were pretreated with cocaine (30 mg/kg), methamphetamine (2-12 mg/kg), methylphenidate (5-20 mg/kg), or amphetamine (5 mg/kg) before being placed in a novel activity chamber or the home cage on PD 19. Rats were then challenged with the same psychostimulant (20 mg/kg cocaine, 1-8 mg/kg methamphetamine, 2.5-7.5 mg/kg methylphenidate, or 1-2 mg/kg amphetamine) on PD 21, with distance traveled being measured for 180 min. In a separate experiment, rats were pretreated with methamphetamine on PD 16-19 and challenged with methamphetamine on PD 21.

RESULTS

Only cocaine, but not various dose combinations of other psychostimulants, was able to produce one-trial behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats. Context-dependent locomotor sensitization was also evident if rats were pretreated with methamphetamine on PD 16-19 and tested on PD 21.

CONCLUSIONS

It is uncertain why only cocaine was able to induce one-trial locomotor sensitization in preweanling rats, but it is possible that: (a) the neural circuitry mediating sensitization differs according to psychostimulant, (b) cocaine is more readily associated with environmental contexts than other psychostimulants, or (c) affinity and pharmacokinetic factors may underlie cocaine's ability to induce one-trial behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats.

Dopamine receptor mediation of the exploratory/hyperactivity effects of modafinil

Modafinil (2-((diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl)acetamide) is described as an atypical stimulant and is a putative cognition enhancer for schizophrenia, but the precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. Receptor knockout (KO) mice offer an opportunity to identify receptors that contribute to a drug-induced effect. Here we examined the effects of modafinil on exploration in C57BL/6J mice, in dopamine drd1, drd2, drd3, and drd4 wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and KO mice, and in 129/SJ mice pretreated with the drd1 antagonist SCH23390 using a cross-species test paradigm based on the behavioral pattern monitor. Modafinil increased activity, specific exploration (rearing), and the smoothness of locomotor paths (reduced spatial d) in C57BL/6J and 129/SJ mice (increased holepoking was also observed in these mice). These behavioral profiles are similar to that produced by the dopamine transporter inhibitor GBR12909. Modafinil was ineffective at increasing activity in male drd1 KOs, rearing in female drd1 KOs, or reducing spatial d in all drd1 KOs, but produced similar effects in drd1 WT and HT mice as in C57BL/6J mice. Neither dopamine drd2 nor drd3 mutants attenuated modafinil-induced effects. Drd4 mutants exhibited a genotype dose-dependent attenuation of modafinil-induced increases in specific exploration. Furthermore, the drd1 KO effects were largely supported by the SCH23390 study. Thus, the dopamine drd1 receptor appears to exert a primary role in modafinil-induced effects on spontaneous exploration, whereas the dopamine drd4 receptor appears to be important for specific exploration. The modafinil-induced alterations in exploratory behavior may reflect increased synaptic dopamine and secondary actions mediated by dopamine drd1 and drd4 receptors.

One-trial cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats: role of contextual stimuli

Using a one-trial procedure, preweanling rats exhibit robust sensitization regardless of whether drug pretreatment and testing occur in the same or different environments. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether one-trial context-specific and context-independent sensitization of preweanling rats could be dissociated by varying the pretreatment dose of cocaine, by varying the pretreatment drug, or by minimizing interoceptive cues. In Experiments 1a and 1b, rats were pretreated with a broad dose range of cocaine (0-40 mg/kg) before placement in a novel activity chamber or the home cage. In Experiment 2, rats were pretreated with a locomotor-enhancing drug (e.g., methylphenidate, U50,488, or MK-801) before placement in a novel activity or anesthesia chamber. In Experiment 3, rats were anesthetized with isoflurane before cocaine administration to minimize the effects of interoceptive and injection cues. In all experiments, rats were challenged with cocaine on the test day (24 hr later), with locomotion being measured in activity chambers. Results showed that (a) the pretreatment dose of cocaine (10-40 mg/kg) did not differentially affect context-specific and context-independent sensitization; (b) cross-sensitization between methylphenidate and cocaine was observed in the context-specific condition, but not when using a context-independent procedure; and (c) sensitization was evident if injection and interoceptive cues were minimized. One possibility is that associative processes do not modulate the one-trial sensitization of preweanling rats. Alternatively, "unitization" may cause preweanling rats to treat the different environments as equivalent, thus permitting robust sensitization even when drug pretreatment and testing occur in different environments.

Transgenic mice in the study of drug addiction and the effects of psychostimulant drugs

The first transgenic models used to study addiction were based upon a priori assumptions about the importance of particular genes in addiction, including the main target molecules of morphine, amphetamine, and cocaine. This consequently emphasized the importance of monoamine transporters, opioid receptors, and monoamine receptors in addiction. Although the effects of opiates were largely eliminated by mu opioid receptor gene knockout, the case for psychostimulants was much more complex. Research using transgenic models supported the idea of a polygenic basis for psychostimulant effects and has associated particular genes with different behavioral consequences of psychostimulants. Phenotypic analysis of transgenic mice, especially gene knockout mice, has been instrumental in identifying the role of specific molecular targets of addictive drugs in their actions. In this article, we summarize studies that have provided insight into the polygenic determination of drug addiction phenotypes in ways that are not possible with other methods, emphasizing research into the effects of psychostimulant drugs in gene knockouts of the monoamine transporters and monoamine receptors.

Importance of environmental context for one- and three-trial cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats

RATIONALE

Preweanling rats, unlike adults, exhibit context-independent behavioral sensitization after a single pretreatment injection of cocaine.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine environmental factors modulating one- and three-trial sensitization in preweanling rats.

METHODS

For preweanling rats, drug pretreatments occurred on postnatal day (PD) 17-PD 19 (experiment 1) or PD 19 (experiment 2). One set of rats was injected with cocaine (30 mg/kg) and placed in anesthesia ("small"), operant conditioning ("large"), or activity chambers for 30 min. Rats were returned to the home cage and injected with saline. Additional groups of rats were injected with saline and placed in small, large, or activity chambers for 30 min and then injected with cocaine after being returned to the home cage. Control groups were injected with saline at both time points. In separate experiments, rats were pretreated with cocaine or saline and restricted to the home cage. On PD 20, all rats were injected with cocaine (20 mg/kg) and placed in activity chambers where locomotor activity was assessed for 60 min. For comparison purposes, sensitization was also assessed in adult rats.

RESULTS

Adult male and female rats exhibited only context-dependent sensitization, whereas preweanling rats showed context-independent sensitization in a variety of conditions (e.g., when pretreated with cocaine in various novel chambers or the home cage).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that nonassociative mechanisms underlying behavioral sensitization are functionally mature in preweanling rats, but associative processes modulating the strength of the sensitized response do not function in an adult-like manner during the preweanling period.

Persistence of one-trial cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in young rats: regional differences in Fos immunoreactivity

RATIONALE

Unlike adult rats, young rats exhibit context-dependent and context-independent behavioral sensitization when assessed after a single pretreatment injection of cocaine.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether: (1) the context-dependent and context-independent sensitization of young rats can be dissociated based on the persistence of the sensitized response and (2) the expression of behavioral sensitization is associated with region-specific increases in Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On postnatal day (PD) 19, rats were injected with either saline or cocaine (30 mg/kg) in a novel test chamber or the home cage. After 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, or 61 abstinence days, rats were challenged with 20 mg/kg cocaine and locomotor activity was measured for 60 min. In a separate experiment, rats pretreated on PD 19 were challenged with cocaine (10-30 mg/kg) on PD 80.

RESULTS

The sensitized responding of young rats persisted for the same length of time (5 days) regardless of whether cocaine pretreatment occurred in a novel environment or the home cage. Behavioral sensitization did not reemerge in adulthood. When assessed after three abstinence days (i.e., on PD 22), acute treatment with cocaine increased Fos-IR in various brain regions, but sensitized responding was associated with elevated Fos expression in only the caudate-putamen (CP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence of the sensitized response cannot be used to dissociate the one-trial context-dependent and context-independent sensitization of young rats. Fos data indicate that the CP and PFC may be involved in the mediation of short-term behavioral sensitization on PD 22.

Unaltered D1, D2, D4, and D5 dopamine receptor mRNA expression and distribution in the spinal cord of the D3 receptor knockout mouse

Dopamine (DA) acts through five receptor subtypes (D1-D5). We compared expression levels and distribution patterns of all DA mRNA receptors in the spinal cord of wild-type (WT) and loss of function D3 receptor knockout (D3KO) animals. D3 mRNA expression was increased in D3KO, but no D3 receptor protein was associated with cell membranes, supporting the previously reported lack of function. In contrast, mRNA expression levels and distribution patterns of D1, D2, D4, and D5 receptors were similar between WT and D3KO animals. We conclude that D3KO spinal neurons do not compensate for the loss of function of the D3 receptor with changes in the other DA receptor subtypes. This supports use of D3KO animals as a model to provide insight into D3 receptor dysfunction in the spinal cord.

Amphetamine- and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and concomitant psychomotor sensitization in mice with genetically inactivated melanin-concentrating hormone MCH(1) receptor

The melanin-concentrating hormone MCH(1) receptor has been proposed to exert an inhibitory control on monoaminergic (especially dopaminergic) activity within the mesolimbic system, which underpins drug seeking and reward. That hypothesis predicts that an inactivation of these receptors should enhance the sensitivity to drug rewarding effects. To test that prediction, we examined the propensity of mice lacking the melanin-concentrating receptor (MCH(1) KO) and their intact counterparts (WT) to form cocaine- and amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference. The conditioned rewarding effects induced by 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 mg/kg amphetamine were assessed in two sub-experiments and those induced by 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg cocaine in two other sub-experiments. All mice were tested under saline for place preference 24 h following four every-other-day conditioning trials and an initial pre-conditioning session under saline. Most of the cocaine and amphetamine doses induced place preference, but without any genotype difference being revealed. Also, none of the cocaine doses induced psychomotor sensitization during conditioning, whereas amphetamine generated clear-cut dose-dependent sensitization in both genotypes. Albeit MCH(1) KO mice exhibited higher levels of psychomotor activation, the rates of sensitization were comparable across genotypes at 1.5 and 3 mg/kg amphetamine. Moreover, 0.375 and especially 0.75 mg/kg amphetamine produced a slight but yet significant sensitization in MCH(1) KO but not in their WT counterparts. Despite such an effect, the results cannot be considered as unambiguously supportive of the tested prediction.

Comparison of dopamine D1 and D5 receptor knockout mice for cocaine locomotor sensitization

RATIONALE

There is compelling support for the contribution of dopamine and the D1R-like (D1R, D5R) receptor subfamily to the behavioral and neural effects of psychostimulant drugs of abuse. The relative roles of D1R and D5R subtypes in mediating these effects are not clear.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are to directly compare (C57BL/6J congenic) D1R knockout (KO) and D5R KO mice for baseline locomotor exploration, acute locomotor responses to cocaine, and locomotor sensitization to repeated cocaine administration, and to examine cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in D5R KO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

D1R KO, D5R KO, and wild-type (WT) were assessed for baseline open field exploration, locomotor-stimulating effects of 15 mg/kg acute cocaine and sensitized locomotor responses to cocaine after repeated home cage treatment with 20 or 30 mg/kg cocaine. D5R KO and WT were tested for CPP to 15 mg/kg cocaine.

RESULTS

D1R KO showed modest basal hyperactivity and increased center exploration relative to WT. Acute locomotor responses to cocaine were consistently absent in D1R KO, but intact in D5R KO. D5R KO showed normal locomotor sensitization to cocaine and normal cocaine CPP. D1R KO failed to show a sensitized locomotor response to 30 mg/kg cocaine. Failure to sensitize in D1R KO was not because of excessive stereotypies. Surprisingly, D1R KO showed a strong trend for sensitization to 20 mg/kg cocaine.

CONCLUSIONS

D5R KO does not alter acute or sensitized locomotor responses to cocaine or cocaine CPP. D1R KO abolishes acute locomotor response to cocaine, but does not fully prevent locomotor sensitization to cocaine at all doses.

Role of dopamine D1-like receptors in methamphetamine locomotor responses of D2 receptor knockout mice

Behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants manifests as an increased locomotor response with repeated administration. Dopamine systems are accepted to play a fundamental role in sensitization, but the role of specific dopamine receptor subtypes has not been completely defined. This study used the combination of dopamine D2 receptor-deficient mice and a D1-like antagonist to examine dopamine D1 and D2 receptor involvement in acute and sensitized locomotor responses to methamphetamine. Absence of the dopamine D2 receptor resulted in attenuation of the acute stimulant effects of methamphetamine. Mutant and wild-type mice exhibited sensitization that lasted longer within the time period of the challenge test in the mutant animals. Pretreatment with the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390 produced more potent reductions in the acute and sensitized locomotor responses to methamphetamine in D2 receptor-deficient mice than in wild-type mice; however, the expression of locomotor sensitization when challenged with methamphetamine alone was equivalently attenuated by previous treatment with SCH 23390. These data suggest that dopamine D2 receptors play a key role in the acute stimulant and sensitizing effects of methamphetamine and act in concert with D1-like receptors to influence the acquisition of methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization, traits that may influence continued methamphetamine use.

Behavioral genetic contributions to the study of addiction-related amphetamine effects

Amphetamines, including methamphetamine, pose a significant cost to society due to significant numbers of amphetamine-abusing individuals who suffer major health-related consequences. In addition, methamphetamine use is associated with heightened rates of violent and property-related crimes. The current paper reviews the existing literature addressing genetic differences in mice that impact behavioral responses thought to be relevant to the abuse of amphetamine and amphetamine-like drugs. Summarized are studies that used inbred strains, selected lines, single-gene knockouts and transgenics, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping populations. Acute sensitivity, neuroadaptive responses, rewarding and conditioned effects are among those reviewed. Some gene mapping work has been accomplished, and although no amphetamine-related complex trait genes have been definitively identified, translational work leading from results in the mouse to studies performed in humans is beginning to emerge. The majority of genetic investigations have utilized single-gene knockout mice and have concentrated on dopamine- and glutamate-related genes. Genes that code for cell support and signaling molecules are also well-represented. There is a large behavioral genetic literature on responsiveness to amphetamines, but a considerably smaller literature focused on genes that influence the development and acceleration of amphetamine use, withdrawal, relapse, and behavioral toxicity. Also missing are genetic investigations into the effects of amphetamines on social behaviors. This information might help to identify at-risk individuals and in the future to develop treatments that take advantage of individualized genetic information.