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Garcia Guerra S, Spadoni A, Mitchell J, Strigo IA. Pain-related opioidergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission: Dual meta-Analyses of PET radioligand studies. Brain Res 2023; 1805:148268. [PMID: 36754138 PMCID: PMC11018310 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms of the interaction between opioidergic and dopaminergic processing during pain-related experiences in the human brain are still incompletely understood. This is partially due to the invasive nature of the available techniques to visualize and measure metabolic activity. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radioligand studies using radioactive substances are still the only available modality to date that allows for the investigation of the molecular mechanisms in the human brain. The most commonly studied PET radiotracers are [11C]-carfentanil (CFN) and [11C]- or [18F]-diprenorphine (DPN), which bind to opioid receptors, and [11C]-raclopride (RAC) and [18F]-fallypride (FAL) tracers, which bind to dopamine receptors. The current meta-analysis examines pain-related studies that used aforementioned opioid and dopamine radioligands in an effort to consolidate the available data into the most likely activated regions. Our primary goal was to identify regions of shared opioid/dopamine neurotransmission during pain-related experiences using within-subject approach. Seed-based d Mapping (SDM) analysis of previously published voxel coordinate data showed that opioidergic activations were strongest in the bilateral caudate, thalamus, right putamen, cingulate gyrus, midbrain, inferior frontal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. The dopaminergic studies showed that the bilateral caudate, thalamus, right putamen, cingulate gyrus, and left putamen had the highest activations. We were able to see a clear overlap between opioid and dopamine activations in a majority of the regions during pain-related experiences, though there were some unique areas of dopaminergic activation such as the left putamen. Regions unique to opioidergic activation included the midbrain, inferior frontal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Here we provide initial evidence for the functional overlap between opioidergic and dopaminergic processing during aversive states in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garcia Guerra
- Research Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Andrea Spadoni
- Research Service, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, USA; University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jennifer Mitchell
- Research Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Irina A Strigo
- Research Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Nagpal AS, Lodge DJ, Potter JS, Frazer A, Tragus R, Curtis ME, Boley AM, Eckmann M. Analgesic Effects of Oxycodone in Combination With Risperidone or Ziprasidone: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Volunteers. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:752256. [PMID: 35295795 PMCID: PMC8915578 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.752256] [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: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesPatients taking opioids are at risk of developing dependence and possibly abuse. Given the role of the mesolimbic dopamine system in opioid reward, blocking dopamine D2 receptors should limit the abuse liability of opioid analgesics. This pilot study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of oxycodone combined with an atypical antipsychotic (dopamine D2 receptor antagonist).MethodsA randomized, double-blind, within-subjects, controlled trial in healthy volunteers was conducted at UT Health SA Pain Clinic. Fifteen volunteers with previous medical exposure to opioids were enrolled. Risperidone (2 mg) or ziprasidone (80 mg) in combination with oxycodone (5, 10, 15 mg) was administered. Pain intensity using the cold pressor test, Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM), Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI, opioid subscale), Drug likability with drug effects questionnaire (DEQ) were assessed.ResultsOxycodone produced dose dependent increases in thermal analgesia on the cold pressor test that was significant at 10 and 15 mg (t = 3.087, P = 0.017). The combination did not significantly alter thermal analgesia. There was no significant effect of the combination on the ARCI or the POMS.Discussion and ConclusionThe combination of an atypical antipsychotic with oxycodone does not alter analgesic response or increase the incidence of adverse effects when compared to oxycodone alone. Such information is critical for the development of drug combinations for the treatment of pain and provide the foundation for future studies of abuse potential in drug users.Scientific SignificanceThis intervention in chronic pain patients is unique because it utilizes FDA approved drugs in combination to reduce abuse liability. The first step, and aim of this study, is to confirm the drug combination does not interfere with analgesic efficacy. The next step is to examine the combination in recreational drug users to assess the potential to block the euphoric effects of oxycodone. Ultimately, if this combination is effective, this approach could be beneficial in management of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameet S. Nagpal
- Department of Anesthesiology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Daniel J. Lodge
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Potter
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Alan Frazer
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Robin Tragus
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Megan E. Curtis
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Angela M. Boley
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Angela M. Boley ; orcid.org/0000-0003-0253-1481
| | - Maxim Eckmann
- Department of Anesthesiology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Li J, Shao D, Jiang D, Huang Q, Guan Y, Lai B, Zhao J, Hua F, Xie F. Alteration of neuroinflammation detected by 18F-GE180 PET imaging in place-conditioned rats with morphine withdrawal. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:103. [PMID: 34637020 PMCID: PMC8511235 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence indicates that neuroinflammation (NI) significantly contributes to drug addiction, but the conversion of NI after drug withdrawal is not clear. Here, we conducted 18F-flutriciclamide (GE180) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to investigate the conversion of NI during drug withdrawal and conditioning-induced aversion by measuring the change in microglial activation with 18F-GE180. METHODS Twelve male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to morphine withdrawal by the administration of naloxone, and six of them were used to model conditioned place aversion (CPA). 18F-GE180 PET imaging was performed for 11 rats on the last day of the morphine treatment phase and for 10 rats on the response assessment phase of the behavior conditioning procedure. A 18F-GE180 template was established for spatial normalization of each individual image, and the differential 18F-GE180 uptakes between the drug withdrawal (DW) group and the drug addiction (DA) group, the CPA group and the DA group, and the CPA group and the DW group were compared by a voxel-wise two-sample t test using SPM8. RESULTS Both the DW group and the CPA group spent less time in the conditioning cage during the post-test phase compared with the pretest phase, but only the difference in the CPA group was significant (63.2 ± 34.6 vs. - 159.53 ± 22.02, P < 0.005). Compared with the DA group, the uptake of 18F-GE180 increased mainly in the hippocampus, visual cortex, thalamus and midbrain regions and decreased mainly in the sensory-related cortices after the administration of naloxone in both the DW and CPA groups. Increased 18F-GE180 uptake was only observed in the mesolimbic regions after conditioned aversion compared with the DW group. CONCLUSION In morphine-dependent rats, Neuroinflammation (NI) became more severe in the addiction-involved brain regions but remitted in the sensory-related brain regions after the administration of naloxone, and this NI induced by withdrawal was further aggravated after conditioned aversion formation thus may help to consolidate the withdrawal memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Li
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Da Shao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Research Center of Translation Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Donglang Jiang
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Qi Huang
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yihui Guan
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Bin Lai
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Dongfang Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Fengchun Hua
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Fang Xie
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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4
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Stormezand GN, Doorduin J, Chaves LT, García DV, Nienhuis FJ, Schoevers RA, Kremer BPH, Booij J, Dierckx RAJO. No evidence for decreased D2/3 receptor availability and frontal hypoperfusion in subjects with compulsive pornography use. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2021; 311:111284. [PMID: 33774451 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pornographic addiction refers to an addiction model associated with compulsive and repeated use of pornographic material. Whether the use of pornography may indeed become addictive remains a matter of debate. The current study investigated whether compulsive pornography use (CPU) is accompanied by reduced D2/3 receptor availability in the striatum and frontal hypofunctionality. Male subjects between 18 and 50 years of age with and without CPU were recruited using online and newspaper advertisements. Questionnaires were used to the assess the severity of compulsive pornography use (CIUS) and symptoms of depression, impulsivity and sensation seeking. Dopaminergic imaging was performed using [11C]-raclopride PET. Striatal binding potentials (BPND) and regional frontal cerebral influx values (R1) of [11C]-raclopride were calculated. Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI was performed to assess regional cerebral blood flow. No group differences between striatal BPND's of [11C]-raclopride in subjects with (n = 15) and without (n = 10) CPU were detected. In CPU subjects, no correlation was found between the CIUS score and striatal BPND's. Cerebral R1 values in frontal brain regions and cerebral blood flow measurements did not differ between groups. The current study fails to provide imaging support for sharing similar neurobiological alterations as previously has been reported in other addictive modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles N Stormezand
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lumi T Chaves
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - David Vállez García
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Fokko J Nienhuis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Robert A Schoevers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Berry P H Kremer
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Booij
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rudi A J O Dierckx
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Gleich T, Spitta G, Butler O, Zacharias K, Aydin S, Sebold M, Garbusow M, Rapp M, Schubert F, Buchert R, Heinz A, Gallinat J. Dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in alcohol use disorder and individuals at high risk: Towards a dimensional approach. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12915. [PMID: 32500613 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most common substance use disorder worldwide. Although dopamine-related findings were often observed in AUD, associated neurobiological mechanisms are still poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we investigate D2/3 receptor availability in healthy participants, participants at high risk (HR) to develop addiction (not diagnosed with AUD), and AUD patients in a detoxified stage, applying 18 F-fallypride positron emission tomography (18 F-PET). Specifically, D2/3 receptor availability was investigated in (1) 19 low-risk (LR) controls, (2) 19 HR participants, and (3) 20 AUD patients after alcohol detoxification. Quality and severity of addiction were assessed with clinical questionnaires and (neuro)psychological tests. PET data were corrected for age of participants and smoking status. In the dorsal striatum, we observed significant reductions of D2/3 receptor availability in AUD patients compared with LR participants. Further, receptor availability in HR participants was observed to be intermediate between LR and AUD groups (linearly decreasing). Still, in direct comparison, no group difference was observed between LR and HR groups or between HR and AUD groups. Further, the score of the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) was inversely correlated with D2/3 receptor availability in the combined sample. Thus, in line with a dimensional approach, striatal D2/3 receptor availability showed a linear decrease from LR participants to HR participants to AUD patients, which was paralleled by clinical measures. Our study shows that a core neurobiological feature in AUD seems to be detectable in an early, subclinical state, allowing more individualized alcohol prevention programs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gleich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Gianna Spitta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Oisin Butler
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development Center for Lifespan Psychology Berlin Germany
| | - Kristin Zacharias
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Semiha Aydin
- Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Berlin Germany
| | - Miriam Sebold
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
- Department for Social and Preventive Medicine University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Maria Garbusow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Michael Rapp
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development Center for Lifespan Psychology Berlin Germany
| | | | - Ralph Buchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Juergen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf (UKE) Hamburg Germany
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6
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Alexandre MCM, Colonetti T, Bavaresco DV, Simon CS, Dondossola ER, Uggioni MLR, Ferraz SD, Rico EP, da Rosa MI. Evaluation of the dopaminergic system with positron-emission tomography in alcohol abuse: A systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2019; 281:112542. [PMID: 31521841 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Performed a systematic review to evaluated the dopaminergic system in alcohol abuse in a systematic review in humans. METHOD A search of the electronic databases was proceeded, on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Insight and Gray literature (Google Scholar and the British Library) for studies published until August 2018. A search strategy was developed using the terms: "dopamine" and "ethanol" or ""alcohol"," and "positron-emission tomography" as text words and Medical Subject Headings (i.e., MeSH and EMTREE) and searched. RESULTS We found 293 studies. After reading titles and abstracts 235 were considered irrelevant, as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. For the reading of the full text, 50 studies were analyzed. Of these 41 were excluded with reasons by study design, patient population, intervention and outcomes. Nine studies were included in our qualitative synthesis. Four studies have resulted in a reduction in availability only at the D2 receptor in different brain regions. Concerning the D3 receptor alone only one study reported this finding and four studies reported a decrease in both receptors. CONCLUSION Changes in D2 receptors in several brain regions in human alcoholics were found in a systematic review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cecilia Manenti Alexandre
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Tamy Colonetti
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Daniela V Bavaresco
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Carla Sasso Simon
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ronconi Dondossola
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maria Laura Rodrigues Uggioni
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Sarah Dagostin Ferraz
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Pacheco Rico
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês da Rosa
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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7
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Hansson AC, Gründer G, Hirth N, Noori HR, Spanagel R, Sommer WH. Dopamine and opioid systems adaptation in alcoholism revisited: Convergent evidence from positron emission tomography and postmortem studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 106:141-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Ashok AH, Myers J, Reis Marques T, Rabiner EA, Howes OD. Reduced mu opioid receptor availability in schizophrenia revealed with [ 11C]-carfentanil positron emission tomographic Imaging. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4493. [PMID: 31582737 PMCID: PMC6776653 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative symptoms, such as amotivation and anhedonia, are a major cause of functional impairment in schizophrenia. There are currently no licensed treatments for negative symptoms, highlighting the need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying them. Mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in the striatum play a key role in hedonic processing and reward function and are reduced post-mortem in schizophrenia. However, it is unknown if mu-opioid receptor availability is altered in-vivo or related to negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Using [11 C]-carfentanil positron emission tomography (PET) scans in 19 schizophrenia patients and 20 age-matched healthy controls, here we show a significantly lower MOR availability in patients with schizophrenia in the striatum (Cohen's d = 0.7), and the hedonic network. In addition, we report a marked global increase in inter-regional covariance of MOR availability in schizophrenia, largely due to increased cortical-subcortical covariance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishekh H Ashok
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Imperial College London, London, UK.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jim Myers
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Imperial College London, London, UK.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Eugenii A Rabiner
- Invicro, London, UK.,Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK. .,Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Imperial College London, London, UK. .,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.
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9
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Gál BI, Kilencz T, Albert A, Demeter I, Hegedűs KM, Janka Z, Csifcsák G, Álmos PZ. Mild Effect of Nalmefene on Alcoholic Cue-Induced Response Invigoration in Alcohol Use Disorder Without Accompanying Changes in Electrophysiological Signatures of Early Visual Processing and Executive Control. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1087. [PMID: 31611789 PMCID: PMC6775761 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nalmefene is approved for as-needed pharmacological treatment in alcohol use disorder (AUD) by the European Medicines Agency. While the cellular effects of nalmefene have been thoroughly investigated, data are very limited on how this agent influences neural signals associated with inhibitory control and the visual analysis of environmental cues. This double-blind crossover study assessed the behavioral and neural effects of acute nalmefene administration in patients diagnosed with AUD. In experiment 1, we validated our experimental paradigm (electroencephalography combined with a modified Go/NoGo task using images of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks as prime stimuli) in 20 healthy adults to ensure that our protocol is suitable for assessing the behavioral and neural aspects of executive control. In experiment 2, we recruited 19 patients with AUD, and in a double-blind crossover design, we investigated the effects of nalmefene versus placebo on task performance (response accuracy, the sensitivity index, and reaction times), visual responses to appetitive cues (occipital P1, N1, and P2 components), and electrophysiological markers of conflict detection and response inhibition (frontal N2 and P3 waveforms). Under placebo, patients produced faster reaction times to alcohol-primed Go stimuli, an effect that was weak despite being statistically significant. However, the effect of alcoholic cues on the speed of response initiation disappeared after receiving nalmefene. We found no placebo versus nalmefene difference regarding our patients’ ability to accurately inhibit responses to NoGo stimuli or for occipital and frontal event-related potentials. Our results suggest that nalmefene might be potent in reducing the vigor to act upon alcoholic cues in AUD patients, but this effect is most probably mediated via subcortical (rather than cortical) neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett I Gál
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tünde Kilencz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Cognitive and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anita Albert
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Demeter
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Klára Mária Hegedűs
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Janka
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Csifcsák
- Department of Cognitive and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Péter Z Álmos
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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10
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Spagnolo PA, Kimes A, Schwandt ML, Shokri-Kojori E, Thada S, Phillips KA, Diazgranados N, Preston KL, Herscovitch P, Tomasi D, Ramchandani VA, Heilig M. Striatal Dopamine Release in Response to Morphine: A [ 11C]Raclopride Positron Emission Tomography Study in Healthy Men. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:356-364. [PMID: 31097294 PMCID: PMC6699765 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and human positron emission tomography studies have produced inconsistent results regarding the effects of opioids on mesolimbic dopamine (DA). Here, we quantify striatal DA release (measured by [11C]raclopride displacement) in response to an intravenous infusion of morphine, and its relationship with morphine-induced subjective effects, in healthy, nondependent opioid-experienced participants. METHODS Fifteen healthy male participants were initially included. Sessions were on separate days. On session 1, participants received intravenous morphine (10 mg/70 kg) in the clinic to ensure tolerability. Participants without adverse reactions (n = 10) then received intravenous morphine and placebo (saline) sessions, in counterbalanced order, while undergoing [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography scans. Subjective and physiological responses were assessed. Region-of-interest and voxelwise image analyses were used to assess changes in [11C]raclopride nondisplaceable binding potential. RESULTS Morphine produced marked subjective and physiological effects and induced a significant decrease in [11C]raclopride nondisplaceable binding potential, particularly in the nucleus accumbens and globus pallidus, where the change in [11C]raclopride nondisplaceable binding potential was approximately 9%. However, the subjective effects of morphine did not show a simple pattern of correlation with DA release. CONCLUSIONS This is, to our knowledge, the first study providing in vivo human evidence that DA transmission in the ventral striatum is affected by morphine. Further studies are required to fully delineate the DA contribution to the reinforcing effects of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primavera A Spagnolo
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alane Kimes
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Melanie L Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ehsan Shokri-Kojori
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shantalaxmi Thada
- Positron Emission Tomography Department, Clinical Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Karran A Phillips
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kenzie L Preston
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peter Herscovitch
- Positron Emission Tomography Department, Clinical Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dardo Tomasi
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Section on Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Instutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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11
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Kamp F, Proebstl L, Penzel N, Adorjan K, Ilankovic A, Pogarell O, Koller G, Soyka M, Falkai P, Koutsouleris N, Kambeitz J. Effects of sedative drug use on the dopamine system: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:660-667. [PMID: 30188512 PMCID: PMC6372711 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Use of alcohol, cannabis and opioids is highly prevalent and is associated with global disease burden and high economic costs. The exact pathophysiology of abuse or addiction associated with these sedative substances is not completely understood, but previous research implicates the important role of the striatal dopamine system in the addiction process. Multiple studies investigated changes in the striatal dopamine systems of users of sedative substances, but currently these results are very heterogeneous. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies investigating dopaminergic alterations in the striatum of users of alcohol, opioids or cannabis. Analyses for each substance were conducted separately for the availability of D2/D3 dopamine receptors, dopamine transporters and dopamine synthesis capacity. In total, 723 substance users and 752 healthy controls were included. The results indicated a significant lower striatal D2/D3 receptor availability in alcohol users compared to controls (g = 0.46) but no difference in dopamine transporter availability or dopamine synthesis capacity. Our analysis indicated that changes of dopamine receptors and transporters are moderated by the duration of abstinence. Comparing opioid users with controls revealed a significant lower D2/D3 receptor availability (g = 1.17) and a significantly lower transporter availability (g = 1.55) in opioid users. For cannabis users, there was no significant difference in receptor availability compared to controls and too few studies provided information on dopamine transporter availability or synthesis capacity. Our analysis provides strong evidence for a central role of the striatal dopamine system in use of alcohol or opioids. Further studies are needed to clarify the impact of the dopamine system in cannabis users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Kamp
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Lisa Proebstl
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nora Penzel
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina Adorjan
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany ,0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrej Ilankovic
- 0000 0001 2166 9385grid.7149.bClinic of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Oliver Pogarell
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabi Koller
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Soyka
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Koutsouleris
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joseph Kambeitz
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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12
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Sebold M, Spitta G, Gleich T, Dembler-Stamm T, Butler O, Zacharias K, Aydin S, Garbusow M, Rapp M, Schubert F, Buchert R, Gallinat J, Heinz A. Stressful life events are associated with striatal dopamine receptor availability in alcohol dependence. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1127-1134. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-01985-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Majuri J, Joutsa J, Arponen E, Forsback S, Kaasinen V. Dopamine synthesis capacity correlates with µ-opioid receptor availability in the human basal ganglia: A triple-tracer PET study. Neuroimage 2018; 183:1-6. [PMID: 30077742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.07.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal studies have suggested that dopamine and opioid neurotransmitter systems interact in brain regions that are relevant for reward functions, but data in humans are very limited. The interaction is potentially important in disorders affecting these neurotransmitter systems, such as addiction. Here, we investigated whether subcortical μ-opioid receptor (MOR) availability and presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity are correlated in the healthy human brain or in pathological gamblers (PGs) using positron emission tomography with 6-[18F]fluoro-l-dopa and [11C]carfentanil. The specificity of the findings was further investigated by including a serotonin transporter ligand, [11C]MADAM, as a negative control. Thirteen PG patients and 15 age-, sex- and weight-matched controls underwent the scans. In both groups, presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity was associated with MOR availability in the putamen, caudate nucleus and globus pallidus. No similar associations were observed between dopamine synthesis capacity and [11C]MADAM binding, supporting a specific interplay between presynaptic dopamine neurotransmission and opioid receptor function in the basal ganglia. Correlations were similar between the groups, suggesting that the dopamine-opioid link is general and unaffected by behavioral addiction. The results provide in vivo human evidence of a connection between endogenous opioid and dopamine signaling in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonas Majuri
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Department of Neurology, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland.
| | - Juho Joutsa
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Department of Neurology, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States; Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eveliina Arponen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland
| | - Sarita Forsback
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland
| | - Valtteri Kaasinen
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Department of Neurology, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland; Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, PO Box 52, FIN-20521, Turku, Finland
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14
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Thobois S, Brefel-Courbon C, Le Bars D, Sgambato-Faure V. Molecular Imaging of Opioid System in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 141:275-303. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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15
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Nestor LJ, Murphy A, McGonigle J, Orban C, Reed L, Taylor E, Flechais R, Paterson LM, Smith D, Bullmore ET, Ersche KD, Suckling J, Tait R, Elliott R, Deakin B, Rabiner I, Lingford-Hughes A, Nutt DJ, Sahakian B, Robbins TW. Acute naltrexone does not remediate fronto-striatal disturbances in alcoholic and alcoholic polysubstance-dependent populations during a monetary incentive delay task. Addict Biol 2017; 22:1576-1589. [PMID: 27600363 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a concerted research effort to investigate brain mechanisms underlying addiction processes that may predicate the development of new compounds for treating addiction. One target is the brain's opioid system, because of its role in the reinforcing effects of substances of abuse. Substance-dependent populations have increased numbers of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) in fronto-striatal regions that predict drug relapse, and demonstrate disturbances in these regions during the processing of non-drug rewards. Naltrexone is currently licensed for alcohol and opiate dependence, and may remediate such disturbances through the blockade of MORs in fronto-striatal reward circuitry. Therefore, we examined the potential acute modulating effects of naltrexone on the anticipation of, and instrumental responding for, non-drug rewards in long-term abstinent alcoholics, alcoholic poly substance-dependent individuals and controls using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task during a randomized double blind placebo controlled functional MRI study. We report that the alcoholic poly substance-dependent group exhibited slower and less accurate instrumental responding compared to alcoholics and controls that was less evident after acute naltrexone treatment. However, naltrexone treatment was unable to remediate disturbances within fronto-striatal regions during reward anticipation and 'missed' rewards in either substance-dependent group. While we have not been able to identify the underlying neural mechanisms for improvement observed with naltrexone in the alcoholic poly-substance dependent group, we can confirm that both substance-dependent groups exhibit substantial neural deficits during an MID task, despite being in long-term abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Nestor
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
| | - Anna Murphy
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit; University of Manchester; UK
| | - John McGonigle
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
| | - Csaba Orban
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
| | - Laurence Reed
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
| | - Eleanor Taylor
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit; University of Manchester; UK
| | - Remy Flechais
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
| | | | - Dana Smith
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
- Department of Psychology; University of Cambridge; UK
| | | | - Karen D Ersche
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
- Department of Psychology; University of Cambridge; UK
| | - John Suckling
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
| | - Roger Tait
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
| | - Rebecca Elliott
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit; University of Manchester; UK
| | - Bill Deakin
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit; University of Manchester; UK
| | | | | | - David J Nutt
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology; Imperial College London; UK
| | - Barbara Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
- Department of Psychology; University of Cambridge; UK
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Cambridge; UK
- Department of Psychology; University of Cambridge; UK
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Alvanzo AAH, Wand GS, Kuwabara H, Wong DF, Xu X, McCaul ME. Family history of alcoholism is related to increased D 2 /D 3 receptor binding potential: a marker of resilience or risk? Addict Biol 2017; 22:218-228. [PMID: 26416591 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between family history of alcohol use disorder and striatal dopamine using positron emission tomography imaging. Participants were 84 healthy, 18- to 30-year-old, social drinkers recruited via fliers and newspaper advertisements. At assessment, participants completed measures of lifetime personal and family substance use and psychiatric symptoms. Participants underwent two consecutive positron emission tomography scans using the D2 /D3 dopamine receptor radioligand [11 C]raclopride. Scans were preceded by intravenous saline and amphetamine 0.3 mg/kg, providing measures of baseline [11 C]raclopride binding potential (BPND ) and change in [11 C]raclopride (ΔBPND ). Subjective ratings of stimulant drug effects were collected during scans. Subjects were classified as family history positive (FHP) if they reported any first-degree relative with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and family history negative (FHN) if no first-degree relatives had history of AUD. Participants were predominantly White (69.0 percent) and male (62.1 percent). Baseline [11 C]raclopride BPND was generally higher in FHP compared with FHN subjects across striatal subdivisions. There were no differences in ΔBPND across regions. Negative subjective drug effects were more pronounced in FHP than in FHN subjects. While FHN subjects evidenced the expected positive relationship between ΔBPND and positive subjective drug effects, this relationship was disrupted in FHP subjects. There are key differences in dopamine status and subjective stimulant drug experiences as a function of family AUD history. These findings have important implications for understanding risk for AUD development in FHP offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika A. H. Alvanzo
- Division of General Internal Medicine; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Gary S. Wand
- Department of Medicine; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Hiroto Kuwabara
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Dean F. Wong
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Xiaoqiang Xu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
| | - Mary E. McCaul
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Baltimore MD USA
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17
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Yoder KK, Albrecht DS, Dzemidzic M, Normandin MD, Federici LM, Graves T, Herring CM, Hile KL, Walters JW, Liang T, Plawecki MH, O'Connor S, Kareken DA. Differences in IV alcohol-induced dopamine release in the ventral striatum of social drinkers and nontreatment-seeking alcoholics. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 160:163-9. [PMID: 26832934 PMCID: PMC5074339 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Striatal dopamine (DA) has been implicated in alcohol use disorders, but it is still unclear whether or not alcohol can induce dopamine release in social drinkers. Furthermore, no data exist on dopamine responses to alcohol in dependent drinkers. We sought to characterize the DA responses to alcohol intoxication in moderately large samples of social drinkers (SD) and nontreatment-seeking alcoholics (NTS). METHODS Twenty-four SD and twenty-one NTS received two [(11)C]raclopride (RAC) PET scans; one at rest, and one during an intravenous alcohol infusion, with a prescribed ascent to a target breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), at which it was then "clamped." The alcohol clamp was started 5min after scan start, with a linear increase in BrAC over 15min to the target of 80mg%, the legal threshold for intoxication. Target BrAC was maintained for 30min. Voxel-wise binding potential (BPND) was estimated with MRTM2. RESULTS IV EtOH induced significant increases in DA in the right ventral striatum in NTS, but not SD. No decreases in DA were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol intoxication results in distinct anatomic profiles of DA responses in SD and NTS, suggesting that in NTS, the striatal DA system may process effects of alcohol intoxication differently than in SD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karmen K. Yoder
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IUSM, NB Ste. 414, 320 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Department of Psychology, Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Daniel S. Albrecht
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IUSM, NB Ste. 414, 320 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Mario Dzemidzic
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Department of Neurology, IUSM; GH Ste. 4700, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Marc D. Normandin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM)
| | - Lauren M. Federici
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Tammy Graves
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Department of Medicine, IUSM; 340 W. 10th St., STe. 6200, Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Christine M. Herring
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Karen L. Hile
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - James W. Walters
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Tiebing Liang
- Department of Medicine, IUSM; 340 W. 10th St., STe. 6200, Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Martin H. Plawecki
- Department of Psychiatry, IUSM; GH Ste. 4800, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - Sean O'Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, IUSM; GH Ste. 4800, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Roudebush Veteran's Administration Medical Center, 1481 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
| | - David A. Kareken
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, R2-E124, 950 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, USA (IUSM),Center for Neuroimaging, IUSM, GH Ste. 4100, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Department of Neurology, IUSM; GH Ste. 4700, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202,Department of Psychiatry, IUSM; GH Ste. 4800, 355 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN USA 46202
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18
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Stanfill A, Hathaway D, Cashion A, Homayouni R, Cowan P, Thompson C, Madahian B, Conley Y. A Pilot Study of Demographic and Dopaminergic Genetic Contributions to Weight Change in Kidney Transplant Recipients. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138885. [PMID: 26406335 PMCID: PMC4583246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplant recipients often experience a significant amount of weight gain in the first year post-transplantation. While demographic factors such as age, race, and sex have been associated with weight gain in this population, these factors do not explain all of the variability seen. A number of studies have suggested that genetics also plays a critical role in weight changes. Recently, alterations in the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine have been associated with weight change, and gene expression studies in kidney transplant recipients have supported this association. The purpose of this pilot study is to first examine the feasibility and methodology, and then to examine the associations of age, race, sex, and genotype for 13 SNPs and 3 VNTRs in 9 dopaminergic pathway genes (ANKK1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, SLC6A3/DAT1, MAOA, MAOB, COMT, CPE) for associations with percent weight change at 12 months post-transplantation. Seventy kidney transplant recipients had demographic and clinical data collected as a part of a larger observational study. DNA was extracted from repository buffy coat samples taken at the time of transplant, and genotyped using Taqman and PCR based methods. Three SNPs were independently associated with percent weight change: ANKK1 rs1800497 (r = -0.28, p = 0.05), SLC6A3/DAT1 rs6347 (p = 0.046), and CPE rs1946816 (p = 0.028). Stepwise regression modelling confirmed the combined associations of age (p = 0.0021), DRD4 VNTR 4/5 genotype (p = 0.0074), and SLC6A3/DAT1 rs6347 CC genotype (p = 0.0009) and TT genotype (p = 0.0004) with percent weight change in a smaller sample (n = 35) of these kidney transplant recipients that had complete genotyping. These associations indicate that there may be a genetic, and an age component to weight changes post transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansley Stanfill
- Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Donna Hathaway
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Ann Cashion
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Insitutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ramin Homayouni
- Bioinformatics, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Patricia Cowan
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Carol Thompson
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Behrouz Madahian
- Bioinformatics, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Yvette Conley
- Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Ortega-Álvaro A, Ternianov A, Aracil-Fernández A, Navarrete F, García-Gutiérrez MS, Manzanares J. Role of cannabinoid CB2 receptor in the reinforcing actions of ethanol. Addict Biol 2015; 20:43-55. [PMID: 23855434 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the role of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2 r) on the vulnerability to ethanol consumption. The time-related and dose-response effects of ethanol on rectal temperature, handling-induced convulsions (HIC) and blood ethanol concentrations were evaluated in CB2 KO and wild-type (WT) mice. The reinforcing properties of ethanol were evaluated in conditioned place preference (CPP), preference and voluntary ethanol consumption and oral ethanol self-administration. Water-maintained behavior schedule was performed to evaluate the degree of motivation induced by a natural stimulus. Preference for non-alcohol tastants assay was performed to evaluate the differences in taste sensitivity. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and μ-opioid receptor gene expressions were also measured in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens (NAcc), respectively. CB2 KO mice presented increased HIC score, ethanol-CPP, voluntary ethanol consumption and preference, acquisition of ethanol self-administration, and increased motivation to drink ethanol compared with WT mice. No differences were found between genotypes in the water-maintained behavior schedule or preference for non-alcohol tastants. Naïve CB2 KO mice presented increased μ-opioid receptor gene expression in NAcc. Acute ethanol administration (1-2 g/kg) increased TH and μ-opioid receptor gene expressions in CB2 KO mice, whereas the lower dose of ethanol decreased TH gene expression in WT mice. These results suggest that deletion of the CB2 r gene increased preference for and vulnerability to ethanol consumption, at least in part, by increased ethanol-induced sensitivity of the TH and μ-opioid receptor gene expressions in mesolimbic neurons. Future studies will determine the role of CB2 r as a target for the treatment of problems related with alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ortega-Álvaro
- Unidad de Neuropsicofarmacología Traslacional; Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete; Albacete Spain
| | - Alexander Ternianov
- Unidad de Neuropsicofarmacología Traslacional; Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete; Albacete Spain
| | - Auxiliadora Aracil-Fernández
- Instituto de Neurociencias; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; San Juan de Alicante Alicante Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER; Madrid Spain
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; San Juan de Alicante Alicante Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER; Madrid Spain
| | - Maria Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; San Juan de Alicante Alicante Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER; Madrid Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; San Juan de Alicante Alicante Spain
- Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS-Trastornos Adictivos); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER; Madrid Spain
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Watson BJ, Taylor LG, Reid AG, Wilson SJ, Stokes PR, Brooks DJ, Myers JF, Turkheimer FE, Nutt DJ, Lingford‐Hughes AR. Investigating expectation and reward in human opioid addiction with [(11) C]raclopride PET. Addict Biol 2014; 19:1032-40. [PMID: 23829344 PMCID: PMC4282066 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The rewarding properties of some abused drugs are thought to reside in their ability to increase striatal dopamine levels. Similar increases have been shown in response to expectation of a positive drug effect. The actions of opioid drugs on striatal dopamine release are less well characterized. We examined whether heroin and the expectation of heroin reward increases striatal dopamine levels in human opioid addiction. Ten opioid-dependent participants maintained on either methadone or buprenorphine underwent [11C]raclopride positron emission tomography imaging. Opioid-dependent participants were scanned three times, receiving reward from 50-mg intravenous heroin (diamorphine; pharmaceutical heroin) during the first scan to generate expectation of the same reward at the second scan, during which they only received 0.1-mg intravenous heroin. There was no heroin injection during the third scan. Intravenous 50-mg heroin during the first scan induced pronounced effects leading to high levels of expectation at the second scan. There was no detectable increase in striatal dopamine levels to either heroin reward or expectation of reward. We believe this is the first human study to examine whether expectation of heroin reward increases striatal dopamine levels in opioid addiction. The absence of detectable increased dopamine levels to both the expectation and delivery of a heroin-related reward may have been due to the impact of substitute medication. It does however contrast with the changes seen in abstinent stimulant users, suggesting that striatal dopamine release alone may not play such a pivotal role in opioid-maintained individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J. Watson
- Psychopharmacology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | | | | | - Sue J. Wilson
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
| | - Paul R. Stokes
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
| | - David J. Brooks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Brain Sciences Imperial College London London UK
| | - James F. Myers
- Psychopharmacology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | | | - David J. Nutt
- Imperial College London Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology London UK
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Piel M, Vernaleken I, Rösch F. Positron Emission Tomography in CNS Drug Discovery and Drug Monitoring. J Med Chem 2014; 57:9232-58. [DOI: 10.1021/jm5001858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Piel
- Institute
of Nuclear Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ingo Vernaleken
- Department
of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Rösch
- Institute
of Nuclear Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
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Wright MJ, Taffe MA. Chronic periadolescent alcohol consumption produces persistent cognitive deficits in rhesus macaques. Neuropharmacology 2014; 86:78-87. [PMID: 25018042 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Although human alcoholics exhibit lasting cognitive deficits, it can be difficult to definitively rule out pre-alcohol performance differences. For example, individuals with a family history of alcoholism are at increased risk for alcoholism and are also behaviorally impaired. Animal models of controlled alcohol exposure permit balanced group assignment, thereby ruling out the effects of pre-existing differences. Periadolescent male rhesus macaques (N = 5) consumed alcohol during 200 drinking sessions (M-F) across a 10-month period (mean daily alcohol consumption: 1.38 g/kg/day). A control group (N = 5) consumed a fruit-flavored vehicle during the same period. Spatial working memory, visual discrimination learning and retention and response time behavioral domains were assessed with subtests of the Monkey CANTAB (CAmbridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery). Spatial working memory performance was impaired in the alcohol group after 120 drinking sessions (6 mo) in a manner that depended on retention interval. The chronic alcohol animals were also impaired in retaining a visual discrimination over 24 hrs when assessed 6-8 weeks after cessation of alcohol drinking. Finally, the presentation of distractors in the response time task impaired the response time and accuracy of the chronic alcohol group more than controls after 6 months of alcohol cessation. Chronic alcohol consumption over as little as 6 months produces cognitive deficits, with some domains still affected after acute (6-8 wks) and lasting (6 mo) discontinuation from drinking. Animals were matched on alcohol preference and behavioral performance prior to exposure, thus providing strong evidence for the causal role of chronic alcohol in these deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jerry Wright
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, SP30-2400, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Michael A Taffe
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, SP30-2400, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Abstract
Neuroimaging, including PET, MRI, and MRS, is a powerful approach to the study of brain function. This article reviews neuroimaging findings related to alcohol and other drugs of abuse that have been published since 2011. Uses of neuroimaging are to characterize patients to determine who will fare better in treatment and to investigate the reasons underlying the effect on outcomes. Neuroimaging is also used to characterize the acute and chronic effects of substances on the brain and how those effects are related to dependence, relapse, and other drug effects. The data can be used to provide encouraging information for patients, as several studies have shown that long-term abstinence is associated with at least partial normalization of neurological abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Niciu
- National Institutes of Health and Department of Health and Human Services, Experimental Therapeutics & Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Dr., Building 10/CRC, Room 7-5545, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Graeme F Mason
- Yale University Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
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Abstract
Studies in rodents have shown that psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine cause endorphin release in the brain reward system. There is also evidence for the involvement of the opioid system in human psychostimulant dependence. The acute effects of an i.v. psychostimulant drug on the brain opioid system, however, have not yet been investigated in humans. We hypothesized that an i.v. dose of amphetamine as compared to placebo would cause an opioid release in the human brain reward system, measurable as a reduction of the binding potential of the μ-opioid receptor radioligand [(11)C]carfentanil. Ten healthy young men were examined using positron emission tomography (PET) and [(11)C]carfentanil in three sessions: at baseline; after placebo; after an i.v. amphetamine dose of 0.3 mg/kg bodyweight. The order of amphetamine and placebo was double-blinded and randomized. PET examinations were performed with a Siemens high resolution research tomograph. Data were analysed with the simplified reference tissue model, applying manually drawn regions of interest for every subject. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, we found no significant differences in [(11)C]carfentanil binding potential between amphetamine and placebo conditions in any of the investigated brain regions. In contrast to data from rodent studies and a recent study of oral amphetamine administration in humans, an i.v. dose of amphetamine does not cause any acute opioid release in healthy human subjects. The postulated role of the opioid system in mediating the effects of amphetamine needs to be further investigated in animal models of the disease as well as in patient populations.
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Colasanti A, Searle GE, Long CJ, Hill SP, Reiley RR, Quelch D, Erritzoe D, Tziortzi AC, Reed LJ, Lingford-Hughes AR, Waldman AD, Schruers KRJ, Matthews PM, Gunn RN, Nutt DJ, Rabiner EA. Endogenous opioid release in the human brain reward system induced by acute amphetamine administration. Biol Psychiatry 2012; 72:371-7. [PMID: 22386378 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to demonstrate a pharmacologically stimulated endogenous opioid release in the living human brain by evaluating the effects of amphetamine administration on [(11)C]carfentanil binding with positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS Twelve healthy male volunteers underwent [(11)C]carfentanil PET before and 3 hours after a single oral dose of d-amphetamine (either a "high" dose, .5 mg/kg, or a sub-pharmacological "ultra-low" dose, 1.25 mg total dose or approximately .017 mg/kg). Reductions in [(11)C]carfentanil binding from baseline to post-amphetamine scans (ΔBP(ND)) after the "high" and "ultra-low" amphetamine doses were assessed in 10 regions of interest. RESULTS [(11)C]carfentanil binding was reduced after the "high" but not the "ultra-low" amphetamine dose in the frontal cortex, putamen, caudate, thalamus, anterior cingulate, and insula. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that oral amphetamine administration induces endogenous opioid release in different areas of human brain, including basal ganglia, frontal cortex areas, and thalamus. The combination of an amphetamine challenge and [(11)C]carfentanil PET is a practical and robust method to probe the opioid system in the living human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Colasanti
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Centre for Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
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