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Flores-Ramirez FJ, Illenberger JM, Pascasio G, Terenius L, Martin-Fardon R. LY2444296, a κ-opioid receptor antagonist, selectively reduces alcohol drinking in male and female Wistar rats with a history of alcohol dependence. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5804. [PMID: 38461355 PMCID: PMC10925033 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56500-9] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a major public health concern. The dynorphin (DYN)/κ-opioid receptor (KOP) system is involved in actions of alcohol, particularly its withdrawal-associated negative affective states. This study tested the ability of LY2444296, a selective, short-acting, KOP antagonist, to decrease alcohol self-administration in dependent male and female Wistar rats at 8 h abstinence. Animals were trained to orally self-administer 10% alcohol (30 min/day for 21 sessions) and were made dependent via chronic intermittent alcohol vapor exposure for 6 weeks or exposed to air (nondependent). After 6 weeks, the effect of LY2444296 (0, 3, and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was tested on alcohol self-administration at 8 h of abstinence. A separate cohort of rats was prepared in parallel, and their somatic withdrawal signs and alcohol self-administration were measured after LY2444296 administration at 8 h, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks abstinence. LY2444296 at 3 and 10 mg/kg significantly reduced physical signs of withdrawal in dependent rats at 8 h abstinence, only. Furthermore, 3 and 10 mg/kg selectively decreased alcohol self-administration in dependent rats at only 8 h abstinence. These results highlight the DYN/KOP system in actions of alcohol during acute abstinence, suggesting KOP antagonism could be beneficial for mitigating acute withdrawal signs and, in turn, significantly reduce excessive alcohol consumption associated with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Flores-Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SR-107, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Jessica M Illenberger
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SR-107, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Glenn Pascasio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SR-107, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lars Terenius
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SR-107, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Vázquez-León P, Miranda-Páez A, Sánchez-Castillo H, Marichal-Cancino BA. Pharmacologic hyperreactivity of kappa opioid receptors in periaqueductal gray matter during alcohol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:1299-1308. [PMID: 37658980 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00522-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a brain region rich in kappa-opioid receptors (KOR). KOR in PAG mediates behavioral responses related to pain integration, and panic response, among others. Its participation in the addiction phenomena has been poorly studied. Hence, this preliminary study explored the pharmacological effects of KOR stimulation/blockade in dorsal-PAG (D-PAG) during alcohol withdrawal on anxiety-type behaviors and alcohol intake/preference. METHODS Juvenile male Wistar rats were unexposed (A-naïve group) or exposed to alcohol for 5 weeks and then restricted (A-withdrawal group). Posteriorly, animals received intra D-PAG injections of vehicle (10% DMSO), salvinorin A (SAL-A; a selective KOR agonist), or 2-Methyl-N-((2'-(pyrrolidin-1-ylsulfonyl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl)propan-1-amine (PF-04455242; a highly selective KOR-antagonist). Subsequently, the defensive burying behavior (DBB) and alcohol intake/preference paradigms were evaluated. RESULTS SAL-A markedly increased burying time, the height of bedding, and alcohol consumption/preference in A-withdrawal, while slightly increased the height of bedding in A-näive rats. PF-04455242 decreased both burying and immobility duration, whereas increases latency to burying, frequency of rearing, and the number of stretches attempts with no action on alcohol intake/preference in A-withdrawal rats. CONCLUSIONS In general, stimulation/blockade of KOR in A-withdrawal animals exert higher responses compared to A-naïve ones. SAL-A produced anxiety-like behaviors and increased alcohol consumption/preference, especially/solely in the alcohol-withdrawal condition, while PF-04455242 augmented exploration with no effects on alcohol intake/preference. Our findings suggest a possible pharmacologic hyperreactivity of the KOR in PAG during alcohol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología Y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Neuropsicofarmacología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Abraham Miranda-Páez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 07738, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Hugo Sánchez-Castillo
- Laboratorio de Neuropsicofarmacología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología Y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, 20131, Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico.
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Pirino BE, Kelley AM, Karkhanis AN, Barson JR. A critical review of effects on ethanol intake of the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor system in the extended amygdala: From inhibition to stimulation. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1027-1038. [PMID: 37042026 PMCID: PMC10289127 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system has increasingly been investigated as a possible pharmacotherapeutic target for alcohol use disorder, but findings on the direction of its effects have been mixed. Activation of KORs by DYN has been shown to elicit dysphoric effects, and the DYN/KOR system has canonically been considered particularly important in driving alcohol intake through negative reinforcement in dependent states. However, this review also highlights its activity in opposing the positive reinforcement that drives alcohol intake at earlier stages. Both DYN and KORs are concentrated in the extended amygdala, a set of interconnected regions that includes the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, central nucleus of the amygdala, and nucleus accumbens shell. This review focuses on the role of the DYN/KOR system in the extended amygdala in ethanol use. It begins by examining the effects of ethanol on the expression of DYN/KOR in the extended amygdala, expression of DYN/KOR in alcohol-preferring and alcohol-avoiding animals, and the effects of knocking out DYN/KOR genes on ethanol intake. Then, it examines the effects on ethanol use in both dependent and nondependent states from systemic pharmacological manipulations of DYN/KOR and from specific manipulation of this system in regions of the extended amygdala. We propose that greater expression and binding of DYN/KOR, by reducing the positive reinforcement that drives early stages of intake, initially acts to prevent the escalation of ethanol drinking. However, prolonged, binge-like, or intermittent ethanol intake enhances levels of DYN/KOR in the extended amygdala such that the system ultimately facilitates the negative reinforcement that drives later stages of ethanol drinking. This review highlights the potential of the DYN/KOR system as a target that can affect different outcomes across different stages of ethanol drinking and the development of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanne E. Pirino
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
| | - Abigail M. Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University – SUNY, Binghamton, N.Y. 13902
| | | | - Jessica R. Barson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, P.A. 19129
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4
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Lepreux G, Shinn GE, Wei G, Suko A, Concepcion G, Sirohi S, Soon Go B, Bruchas MR, Walker BM. Recapitulating phenotypes of alcohol dependence via overexpression of Oprk1 in the ventral tegmental area of non-dependent TH::Cre rats. Neuropharmacology 2023; 228:109457. [PMID: 36764577 PMCID: PMC10034863 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109457] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system is involved in dysphoria and negative emotional states. Dysregulation of KOR function promotes maladaptive behavioral regulation during withdrawal associated with alcohol dependence. Mesolimbic dopaminergic (DA) projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) innervate the extended amygdala circuitry and presynaptic KORs attenuate DA in these regions leading to an excessive alcohol consumption and negative affective-like behavior, whereas mesocortical KOR-regulated DA projections have been implicated in executive function and decision-making. Thus, the neuroadaptations occurring in DYN/KOR systems are important aspects to consider for the development of personalized therapeutic solutions. Herein, we study the contribution of the VTA DA neuron Oprk1 (KOR gene) in excessive alcohol consumption, negative emotional state, and executive function. To do so, Oprk1 mRNA expression and KOR function were characterized to confirm alcohol dependence-induced dysregulation in the VTA. Then, a transgenic Cre-Lox rat model (male and female TH::Cre rats) was used to allow for conditional and inducible overexpression of Oprk1 in VTA DA neurons. The effect of this overexpression was evaluated on operant alcohol self-administration, negative emotional states, and executive function. We found that VTA Oprk1 overexpression recapitulates some phenotypes of alcohol dependence including escalated alcohol self-administration and depressive-like behavior. However, working memory performance was not impacted following VTA Oprk1 overexpression in TH::Cre rats. This supports the hypothesis that dysregulated KOR signaling within the mesolimbic DA system is an important contributor to symptoms of alcohol dependence and shows that understanding Oprk1-mediated contributions to alcohol use disorder (AUD) should be an important future goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetan Lepreux
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Grace E Shinn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Gengze Wei
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Azra Suko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - George Concepcion
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sunil Sirohi
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Bok Soon Go
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brendan M Walker
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA; USF Health Neuroscience Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
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5
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Rysztak LG, Jutkiewicz EM. The role of enkephalinergic systems in substance use disorders. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:932546. [PMID: 35993087 PMCID: PMC9391026 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.932546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enkephalin, an endogenous opioid peptide, is highly expressed in the reward pathway and may modulate neurotransmission to regulate reward-related behaviors, such as drug-taking and drug-seeking behaviors. Drugs of abuse also directly increase enkephalin in this pathway, yet it is unknown whether or not changes in the enkephalinergic system after drug administration mediate any specific behaviors. The use of animal models of substance use disorders (SUDs) concurrently with pharmacological, genetic, and molecular tools has allowed researchers to directly investigate the role of enkephalin in promoting these behaviors. In this review, we explore neurochemical mechanisms by which enkephalin levels and enkephalin-mediated signaling are altered by drug administration and interrogate the contribution of enkephalin systems to SUDs. Studies manipulating the receptors that enkephalin targets (e.g., mu and delta opioid receptors mainly) implicate the endogenous opioid peptide in drug-induced neuroadaptations and reward-related behaviors; however, further studies will need to confirm the role of enkephalin directly. Overall, these findings suggest that the enkephalinergic system is involved in multiple aspects of SUDs, such as the primary reinforcing properties of drugs, conditioned reinforcing effects, and sensitization. The idea of dopaminergic-opioidergic interactions in these behaviors remains relatively novel and warrants further research. Continuing work to elucidate the role of enkephalin in mediating neurotransmission in reward circuitry driving behaviors related to SUDs remains crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren G. Rysztak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Emily M. Jutkiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Emily M. Jutkiewicz,
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6
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Almeida CAF, Pereira-Junior AA, Rangel JG, Pereira BP, Costa KCM, Bruno V, Silveira GO, Ceron CS, Yonamine M, Camarini R, Garcia RCT, Marcourakis T, Torres LH. Ayahuasca, a psychedelic beverage, modulates neuroplasticity induced by ethanol in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 416:113546. [PMID: 34437939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder needs more effective treatments because relapse rates remain high. Psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, have been used to treat substance use disorders. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of ayahuasca on ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization (EIBS). Swiss mice received 2.2 g/kg ethanol or saline IP injections every other day across nine days (D1, D3, D5, D7, and D9), and locomotor activity was evaluated 10 min after each injection. Then, animals were treated daily with ayahuasca (corresponding to 1.76 mg/kg of N,N-dimethyltryptamine, DMT) or water by oral gavage for eight consecutive days. On the seventh day, mice were evaluated in the elevated plus maze. Then, mice were challenged with a single dose of ethanol to measure their locomotor activity. Dopamine receptors, serotonin receptors, dynorphin, and prodynorphin levels were quantified in the striatum and hippocampus by blot analysis. Repeated ethanol administration resulted in EIBS. However, those animals treated with ayahuasca had an attenuated EIBS. Moreover, ayahuasca reduced the anxiogenic response to ethanol withdrawal and prevented the ethanol-induced changes on 5-HT1a receptor and prodynorphin levels in the hippocampus and reduced ethanol effects in the dynorphin/prodynorphin ratio levels in the striatum. These results suggest a potential application of ayahuasca to modulate the neuroplastic changes induced by ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Aparecida Faria Almeida
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Antonio Alves Pereira-Junior
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Gonçalves Rangel
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruna Pinheiro Pereira
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Karla Cristinne Mancini Costa
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Vitor Bruno
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 13B, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Oliveira Silveira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 13B, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla Speroni Ceron
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Yonamine
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 13B, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Prédio 1, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Raphael Caio Tamborelli Garcia
- Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua São Nicolau, 210, 1° Andar, 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Tania Marcourakis
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bl. 13B, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Helena Torres
- Department of Food and Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro Da Silva, 700, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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7
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Abraham AD, Casello SM, Schattauer SS, Wong BA, Mizuno GO, Mahe K, Tian L, Land BB, Chavkin C. Release of endogenous dynorphin opioids in the prefrontal cortex disrupts cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:2330-2339. [PMID: 34545197 PMCID: PMC8580977 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Following repeated opioid use, some dependent individuals experience persistent cognitive deficits that contribute to relapse of drug-taking behaviors, and one component of this response may be mediated by the endogenous dynorphin/kappa opioid system in neocortex. In C57BL/6 male mice, we find that acute morphine withdrawal evokes dynorphin release in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and disrupts cognitive function by activation of local kappa opioid receptors (KORs). Immunohistochemical analyses using a phospho-KOR antibody confirmed that both withdrawal-induced and optically evoked dynorphin release activated KOR in PFC. Using a genetically encoded sensor based on inert KOR (kLight1.2a), we revealed the in vivo dynamics of endogenous dynorphin release in the PFC. Local activation of KOR in PFC produced multi-phasic disruptions of memory processing in an operant-delayed alternation behavioral task, which manifest as reductions in response number and accuracy during early and late phases of an operant session. Local pretreatment in PFC with the selective KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (norBNI) blocked the disruptive effect of systemic KOR activation during both early and late phases of the session. The early, but not late phase disruption was blocked by viral excision of PFC KORs, suggesting an anatomically dissociable contribution of pre- and postsynaptic KORs. Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice or optical stimulation of pdynCre neurons using Channelrhodopsin-2 disrupted delayed alternation performance, and the dynorphin-induced effect was blocked by local norBNI. Our findings describe a mechanism for control of cortical function during opioid dependence and suggest that KOR antagonism could promote abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony D. Abraham
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Sanne M. Casello
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Selena S. Schattauer
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Brenden A. Wong
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Grace O. Mizuno
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Karan Mahe
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Lin Tian
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Benjamin B. Land
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Charles Chavkin
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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8
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Placzek MS. Imaging Kappa Opioid Receptors in the Living Brain with Positron Emission Tomography. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 271:547-577. [PMID: 34363128 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) neuroimaging using positron emission tomography (PET) has been immensely successful in all phases of discovery and validation in relation to radiotracer development from preclinical imaging to human imaging. There are now several KOR-specific PET radiotracers that can be utilized for neuroimaging, including agonist and antagonist ligands, as well as C-11 and F-18 variants. These technologies will increase KOR PET utilization by imaging centers around the world and have provided a foundation for future studies. In this chapter, I review the advances in KOR radiotracer discovery, focusing on ligands that have been translated into human imaging, and highlight key attributes unique to each KOR PET radiotracer. The utilization of these radiotracers in KOR PET neuroimaging can be subdivided into three major investigational classes: the first, measurement of KOR density; the second, measurement of KOR drug occupancy; the third, detecting changes in endogenous dynorphin following activation or deactivation. Given the involvement of the KOR/dynorphin system in a number of brain disorders including, but not limited to, pain, itch, mood disorders and addiction, measuring KOR density in the living brain will offer insight into the chronic effects of these disorders on KOR tone in humans. Notably, KOR PET has been successful at measuring drug occupancy in the human brain to guide dose selection for maximal therapeutic efficacy while avoiding harmful side effects. Lastly, we discuss the potential of KOR PET to detect changes in endogenous dynorphin in the human brain, to elucidate neural mechanisms and offer critical insight into disease-modifying therapeutics. We conclude with comments on other translational neuroimaging modalities such as MRI that could be used to study KOR-dynorphin tone in the living human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Placzek
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA. .,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Przybysz KR, Gamble ME, Diaz MR. Moderate adolescent chronic intermittent ethanol exposure sex-dependently disrupts synaptic transmission and kappa opioid receptor function in the basolateral amygdala of adult rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 188:108512. [PMID: 33667523 PMCID: PMC10500544 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent alcohol exposure is associated with many consequences in adulthood, including altered affective and reward-related behaviors. However, the long-term neurological disruptions underlying these behaviors are not fully understood. Shifts in the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) relate to the expression of these behaviors and changes to BLA physiology are seen during withdrawal immediately following adolescent ethanol exposure, but no studies have examined whether these changes persist long-term. The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) neuromodulatory system mediates negative affective behaviors, and alterations of this system are implicated in behavioral changes following adult and adolescent chronic ethanol exposure. In the BLA, the KOR system undergoes functional changes across development, but whether BLA KOR function is disrupted by adolescent ethanol exposure is unknown. In this study, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a vapor model of moderate adolescent chronic intermittent ethanol (aCIE) and assessed for long-term effects on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission within the adult BLA and KOR modulation of these systems. aCIE exposure increased presynaptic glutamate transmission in females but had no effect in males or on GABA transmission in either sex. Additionally, aCIE exposure disrupted male KOR modulation of GABA release, with no effects in females or on glutamate transmission. These data suggest that aCIE produces sex-dependent and long-term changes to BLA physiology and KOR function. This is the first study to examine these persistent adaptations following adolescent alcohol exposure and opens a broad avenue for future investigation into other adolescent ethanol-induced disruptions of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Przybysz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States
| | - Meredith E Gamble
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States
| | - Marvin R Diaz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States; Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, United States.
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Pajser A, Fisher H, Pickens CL. Pre-training naltrexone increases conditioned fear learning independent of adolescent alcohol consumption history. Physiol Behav 2021; 229:113212. [PMID: 33069685 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Our previous research has shown a relationship between low voluntary alcohol consumption and high conditioned fear in male Long Evans rats. Here, we examined whether differences in the endogenous opioid systems might be responsible for these differences. Rats received 6 weeks of chronic intermittent to 20% alcohol (v/v) or water-only from PND 26-66. Based on their consumption during the last 2 weeks of alcohol access, the alcohol-access rats were divided into high drinking (>2.5 g/kg/24-h) or low drinking (<2 g/kg/24-h). Rats were then given injections of the preferential mu opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or the selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist LY2456302 (10 mg/kg, s.c.) prior to fear conditioning and were then tested for conditioned fear 2 days later. Pre-training naltrexone increased conditioned suppression of lever-pressing during training and testing, with no differences between high versus low alcohol drinkers or between water-only versus alcohol access groups (averaged across drinking levels). There was no effect of LY2456302 on conditioned fear in any comparison. We also found no differences between high and low alcohol drinkers and no reliable effect of prior alcohol access (averaged across drinking levels) on conditioned fear. Our experiment replicates and extends previous demonstrations that a preferential MOR antagonist can increase fear learning using conditioned suppression of lever-pressing as a fear measure. However, additional research is needed to determine the cause of the differences in conditioned fear that we previously observed (as they were not observed in the current experiments).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pajser
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Hayley Fisher
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Charles L Pickens
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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11
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Karkhanis AN, Al-Hasani R. Dynorphin and its role in alcohol use disorder. Brain Res 2020; 1735:146742. [PMID: 32114059 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dynorphin / kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system has been implicated in many aspects that influence neuropsychiatric disorders. Namely, this system modulates neural circuits that primarily regulate reward seeking, motivation processing, stress responsivity, and pain sensitivity, thus affecting the development of substance and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The effects of this system are often bidirectional and depend on projection targets. To date, a majority of the studies focusing on this system have examined the KOR function using agonists and antagonists. Indeed, there are studies that have examined prodynorphin and dynorphin levels by measuring mRNA and tissue content levels; however, static levels of the neuropeptide and its precursor do not explain complete and online function of the peptide as would be explained by measuring dynorphin transmission in real time. New and exciting methods using optogenetics, chemogenetics, genetic sensors, fast scan cyclic voltammetry are now being developed to detect various neuropeptides with a focus on opioid peptides, including dynorphin. In this review we discuss studies that examine dynorphin projections in areas involved in AUD, its functional involvement in AUD and vulnerability to develop AUD at various ages. Moreover, we discuss dynorphin's role in promoting AUD by dysregulation motivation circuits and how advancements in opioid peptide detection will further our understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Psychology, Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Center for Developmental and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Department of Anesthesiology Washington University in St. Louis, Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine & St. Louis College of Pharmacy 660 S.Euclid, Box 8054, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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12
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Booher WC, Reyes Martínez GJ, Ehringer MA. Behavioral and neuronal interactions between exercise and alcohol: Sex and genetic differences. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12632. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Winona C. Booher
- Institute for Behavioral GeneticsUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
- Department of Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
| | - Guillermo J. Reyes Martínez
- Institute for Behavioral GeneticsUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
- Department of Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
| | - Marissa A. Ehringer
- Institute for Behavioral GeneticsUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
- Department of Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Colorado Boulder Colorado
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13
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Shahkarami K, Vousooghi N, Golab F, Mohsenzadeh A, Baharvand P, Sadat-Shirazi MS, Babhadi-Ashar N, Shakeri A, Zarrindast MR. Evaluation of dynorphin and kappa-opioid receptor level in the human blood lymphocytes and plasma: Possible role as a biomarker in severe opioid use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 205:107638. [PMID: 31710992 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system plays an important role in the development of addiction, and dysregulation of this system could lead to abnormal activity in the reward pathway. It has been reported that the expression state of the neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brain is reflected in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). METHODS We have evaluated the PBLs and plasma samples of four groups: 1) subjects with severe opioid use disorder (SOD), 2) methadone-maintenance treated (MMT) individuals, 3) long-term abstinent subjects having former SOD, and 4) healthy control subjects (n = 20 in each group). The mRNA expression level of preprodynorphin (pPDYN) and KOR in PBLs has been evaluated by real-time PCR. Peptide expression of PDYN in PBLs has been studied by western blot, and DYN concentration in plasma has been measured by ELISA. RESULTS The relative expression level of the pPDYN mRNA and PDYN peptide in PBLs were significantly up-regulated in SOD, MMT, and abstinent groups compared to control subjects. No significant difference was found in the plasma DYN concentration between study groups. The expression level of the KOR mRNA in PBLs was significantly decreased in all three study groups compared to the control subjects. CONCLUSION the expression changes in the DYN/KOR system after chronic exposure to opioids, including methadone, seems to be stable and does not return to normal levels even after 12 months abstinence. These long-time and permanent changes in PBLs may serve as a biomarker and footprint of SOD development in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Shahkarami
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fereshteh Golab
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Mohsenzadeh
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Parastoo Baharvand
- Department of Social Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mitra-Sadat Sadat-Shirazi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Babhadi-Ashar
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atena Shakeri
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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The selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist JDTic attenuates the alcohol deprivation effect in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1386-1396. [PMID: 31679889 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms behind relapse to ethanol intake in recovering alcoholics are still unclear. The negative reinforcing effects contributing to ethanol addiction, including relapse, are considered to be partly driven by the κ-opioidergic system. As the κ-opioidergic system interacts with the mesolimbic reward pathway, the aim of the study was to clarify the role of nucleus accumbens shell κ-opioidergic mechanisms in relapse to ethanol intake by using the alcohol deprivation effect (ADE) paradigm. The ADE is defined as a transient increase in voluntary ethanol intake after a forced period of abstinence. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to voluntarily consume 10% (v/v) ethanol solution. Ethanol access and deprivation cycles were initiated after stable ethanol intake baselines had been reached and bilateral guide cannulas had been implanted above the nucleus accumbens shell. One cycle consisted of 10 days of 90 min access to ethanol followed by 6 days of ethanol deprivation. The ADE was measured in the beginning of a new cycle. Rats received JDTic, a selective κ-antagonist, either subcutaneously (10 mg/kg) or intra-accumbally (15 µg/site) or, as a reference substance, systemic naltrexone (0.3 mg/kg) before ethanol re-access, and the effects on the ADE were evaluated. Systemic and intra-accumbal JDTic significantly attenuated the ADE on the first day of ethanol re-access, as did systemic naltrexone. Additionally, naltrexone decreased ethanol intake levels. These results suggest that nucleus accumbens shell κ-opioidergic mechanisms may have a role in mediating relapse to ethanol intake. Additionally, κ-antagonism could be a valuable adjunct in ethanol relapse prevention.
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15
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Panula P. Histamine, histamine H 3 receptor, and alcohol use disorder. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 177:634-641. [PMID: 30801695 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is associated with several mental, physical, and social problems. Its treatment is difficult and often requires a combination of pharmacological and behavioural therapy. The brain histaminergic system, one of the wake-active systems that controls whole-brain activity, operates through three neuronal GPCRs. The histamine H3 receptor (Hrh3), which is expressed in many brain areas involved in alcohol drinking and alcohol reward, can be targeted with a number of drugs developed initially for cognitive disorders and/or disorders related to sleep, wakefulness, and alertness. In all rodent alcohol drinking models tested so far, H3 receptor antagonists have reduced alcohol drinking and alcohol-induced place preference and cue-induced alcohol reinstatement. Several H3 receptor antagonists tested and found to be safe for humans could be subjected to clinical tests to treat alcohol use disorder. Preference should be given to short-acting drugs to avoid the sleep problems associated with the wake-maintaining effects of the drugs. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on New Uses for 21st Century. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.3/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pertti Panula
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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16
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Funk D, Coen K, Tamadon S, Lê AD. Effect of chronic alcohol vapor exposure on reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by U50,488. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:210-219. [PMID: 30659838 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence and stress are associated with relapse to alcohol during abstinence, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Kappa opioid receptors (KOR) are involved in alcohol reward and in the effects of stress. Previously, in non-dependent rats, we showed that KOR in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediate reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by the selective KOR agonist U50,488. Here, we determine the effects of chronic, intermittent exposure to alcohol vapor on U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. We also study brain mechanisms involved using the neuronal activity marker Fos and phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38), an intracellular messenger implicated in the effects of KOR stimulation. We trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer alcohol (12% w/v) and exposed them to alcohol vapor (14 h vapor/10 h air) daily for 24 d or to the control condition, extinguished alcohol-reinforced responding and determined the dose response for U50,488-induced reinstatement. We then determined the effects of vapor exposure on U50,488-induced Fos and p-p38 expression. Vapor-exposed rats were more sensitive to U50,488-induced reinstatement. U50,488 increased Fos expression in brain areas involved in stress-induced relapse, and Fos activation in the ventral BNST was greater in vapor exposed rats. Vapor exposed rats had increased basal p-p38 expression in the dorsal BNST, LC and NTS. Our findings suggest that changes in the neuronal responses to KOR stimulation in the ventral BNST may be involved in the increased sensitivity to U50,488 accompanying dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Funk
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Kathleen Coen
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sahar Tamadon
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - A D Lê
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
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17
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Vijay A, Cavallo D, Goldberg A, de Laat B, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Krishnan-Sarin S, Morris ED. PET imaging reveals lower kappa opioid receptor availability in alcoholics but no effect of age. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:2539-2547. [PMID: 30188515 PMCID: PMC6224533 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are implicated in alcoholism, other addictions, withdrawal, and depression, and are considered potential pharmacological targets for treatment. Our goal in the present study was to compare the availability of kappa opioid receptors (KOR) between an alcohol-dependent cohort (AD) and a healthy control cohort (HC). Sixty-four participants-36 AD and 28 HC-underwent PET scans with [11C]LY2795050, a selective kappa antagonist tracer. Partial-volume correction was applied to all PET data to correct for atrophy. Volume of distribution (VT) of the tracer was estimated regionally as a measure of KOR availability. VT values of AD versus HC were compared for 15 defined ROIs. Multivariate analysis showed a main effect of group on VT across these 15 ROIs. Post hoc tests showed that AD had significantly lower VT and thus a lower KOR availability than HC in amygdala and pallidum (corrected for multiple comparisons). Exploratory analysis of change in VT with age was conducted; VT was not found to vary significantly with age in any region. Our findings of lower VT in AD versus HC in multiple regions are in contrast to findings in the mu and delta opioid receptor systems of higher VT in AD versus HC. Although age-related decline in receptors has previously been observed in the mu opioid receptor system, we found that KOR availability does not change with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Vijay
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Dana Cavallo
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Alissa Goldberg
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Bart de Laat
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Nabeel Nabulsi
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Yiyun Huang
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
| | | | - Evan D. Morris
- 0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA ,0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA ,0000000419368710grid.47100.32Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
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18
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Matzeu A, Terenius L, Martin-Fardon R. Exploring Sex Differences in the Attenuation of Ethanol Drinking by Naltrexone in Dependent Rats During Early and Protracted Abstinence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2466-2478. [PMID: 30320880 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite considerable efforts, few drugs are available for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) use disorder (AUD). EtOH directly or indirectly modulates several aspects of the central nervous system, including neurotransmitter/neuromodulator systems. Relapse vulnerability is a challenge for the treatment of EtOH addiction. EtOH withdrawal symptoms create motivational states that lead to compulsive EtOH drinking and relapse even after long periods of abstinence. Among the therapeutics to treat AUD, naltrexone (NTX) is a pharmacological treatment for relapse. The present study evaluated the effect of NTX on EtOH drinking in male and female EtOH-dependent rats during abstinence. METHODS Wistar rats (males and females) were first trained to orally self-administer 10% EtOH. Half of the rats were then made dependent by chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) vapor exposure, and the other half were exposed to air. Using this model, rats exhibit somatic and motivational signs of withdrawal. At the end of EtOH vapor (or air) exposure, the rats were tested for the effects of NTX (10 mg/kg, oral) on EtOH self-administration at 3 abstinence time points: acute abstinence (A-Abst, 8 hours), late abstinence (L-Abst, 2 weeks), and protracted abstinence (P-Abst, 6 weeks). RESULTS NTX decreased EtOH intake in nondependent rats, regardless of sex and abstinence time point. In postdependent rats, NTX decreased EtOH intake only at a delayed abstinence time point (P-Abst) in males, whereas it similarly reduced EtOH drinking in females at all abstinence time points. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic efficacy of NTX depends on the time of intervention during abstinence and is different between males and females. The data further suggest that EtOH dependence causes different neuroadaptations in male and female rats, reflected by differential effects of NTX. The results underscore the significance of considering the duration of EtOH abstinence and sex as a biological variable as important factors when developing pharmacotherapies for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Terenius
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California.,Clinical Neuroscience, Experimental Addiction Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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García-Gutiérrez MS, Navarrete F, Laborda J, Manzanares J. Deletion of Dlk1 increases the vulnerability to developing anxiety-like behaviors and ethanol consumption in mice. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 158:37-44. [PMID: 30268817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety and alcohol use disorders (AUD) often present together, constituting a significant public health problem worldwide. In this study, we investigated the role of DLK1, a ligand of the Delta/NOTCH epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like protein family, reported to play a role in DA neurons differentiation in the striatum, as a neurobiological factor involved in the mechanisms regulating this psychiatric comorbidity. We exposed Dlk1 knockout mice (Dlk1-/- mice) to the open-field (OF), the light-dark box (LBD) and the elevated plus maze (EPM) tests, evaluating motivation to drink and ethanol consumption using the oral ethanol self-administration (OEA) paradigm. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) studies were carried out to evaluate alterations in targets closely related to DA neurotransmission in the reward system, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and μ-opioid receptor (Oprm1) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). No differences were observed in the total or peripheral distances travelled by Dlk1-/- compared to wild-type (WT) mice in OF. However, central distance travelled significantly decreased in Dlk1-/- mice. Deletion of Dlk1 increased anxiety-like behaviors in the LDB and EPM, and, Dlk1-/- mice also presented higher ethanol intake and motivation to drink (number of effective responses) in the OEA. In addition, Th and Oprm1 gene expression was reduced in the VTA and NAc of Dlk1-/- mice. We conclude that deletion of Dlk1 increases anxiety-related behaviors and vulnerability to ethanol consumption and modifies the gene expression of key targets closely related with DA neurotransmission involved in the reinforcing actions of ethanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- María S García-Gutiérrez
- Institute of Neurosciences, Miguel Hernández University-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; Topic-based Network for Cooperative Health Research (RETICS), Substance Abuse Network, Health Institute Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Navarrete
- Institute of Neurosciences, Miguel Hernández University-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; Topic-based Network for Cooperative Health Research (RETICS), Substance Abuse Network, Health Institute Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Laborda
- School of Pharmacy, Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), Biomedicine Unit UCLM-CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Institute of Neurosciences, Miguel Hernández University-CSIC, Avda de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; Topic-based Network for Cooperative Health Research (RETICS), Substance Abuse Network, Health Institute Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Al-Hasani R, Wong JMT, Mabrouk OS, McCall JG, Schmitz GP, Porter-Stransky KA, Aragona BJ, Kennedy RT, Bruchas MR. In vivo detection of optically-evoked opioid peptide release. eLife 2018; 7:36520. [PMID: 30175957 PMCID: PMC6135606 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the last decade has seen accelerated advances in techniques and technologies to perturb neuronal circuitry in the brain, we are still poorly equipped to adequately dissect endogenous peptide release in vivo. To this end we developed a system that combines in vivo optogenetics with microdialysis and a highly sensitive mass spectrometry-based assay to measure opioid peptide release in freely moving rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, United States
| | - Jenny-Marie T Wong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Omar S Mabrouk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Jordan G McCall
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, United States.,Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Gavin P Schmitz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, United States
| | | | - Brandon J Aragona
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Robert T Kennedy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Washington, United States
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21
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Uhari-Väänänen J, Raasmaja A, Bäckström P, Oinio V, Carroll FI, Airavaara M, Kiianmaa K, Piepponen P. The κ-opioid receptor antagonist JDTic decreases ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring AA rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1581-1591. [PMID: 29492614 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Studies suggest that the κ-opioidergic system becomes overactivated as ethanol use disorders develop. Nalmefene, a currently approved treatment for ethanol use disorders, may also elicit some of its main effects via the κ-opioidergic system. However, the exact role of κ-opioid receptors on regulating ethanol intake and contribution to the development of ethanol addiction remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of accumbal κ-opioid receptors in controlling ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) rats. METHODS Microinfusions of the long-acting and selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist JDTic (1-15 μg/site) were administered bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens shell of AA rats voluntarily consuming 10% ethanol solution in the intermittent, time-restricted two-bottle choice access paradigm. JDTic (10 mg/kg) was also administered subcutaneously. Both the acute and long-term effects of the treatment on ethanol intake were examined. As a reference, nor-BNI (3 μg/site) was administered intra-accumbally. RESULTS Systemically administered JDTic decreased ethanol intake significantly 2 days and showed a similar trend 4 days after administration. Furthermore, intra-accumbally administered JDTic showed a weak decreasing effect on ethanol intake long-term but had no acute effects. Intra-accumbal administration of nor-BNI tended to decrease ethanol intake. CONCLUSIONS The results provide further evidence that κ-opioid receptors play a role in controlling ethanol intake and that accumbal κ-opioid receptors participate in the modulation of the reinforcing effects of ethanol. Furthermore, the results suggest that κ-opioid receptor antagonists may be a valuable adjunct in the pharmacotherapy of ethanol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Uhari-Väänänen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Atso Raasmaja
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Bäckström
- Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Oinio
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - F Ivy Carroll
- RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kalervo Kiianmaa
- Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petteri Piepponen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
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22
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Bazov I, Sarkisyan D, Kononenko O, Watanabe H, Yakovleva T, Hansson AC, Sommer WH, Spanagel R, Bakalkin G. Dynorphin and κ-Opioid Receptor Dysregulation in the Dopaminergic Reward System of Human Alcoholics. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7049-7061. [PMID: 29383684 PMCID: PMC6061161 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular changes induced by excessive alcohol consumption may underlie formation of dysphoric state during acute and protracted alcohol withdrawal which leads to craving and relapse. A main molecular addiction hypothesis is that the upregulation of the dynorphin (DYN)/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of alcohol-dependent individuals causes the imbalance in activity of D1- and D2 dopamine receptor (DR) expressing neural circuits that results in dysphoria. We here analyzed post-mortem NAc samples of human alcoholics to assess changes in prodynorphin (PDYN) and KOR (OPRK1) gene expression and co-expression (transcriptionally coordinated) patterns. To address alterations in D1- and D2-receptor circuits, we studied the regulatory interactions between these pathways and the DYN/KOR system. No significant differences in PDYN and OPRK1 gene expression levels between alcoholics and controls were evident. However, PDYN and OPRK1 showed transcriptionally coordinated pattern that was significantly different between alcoholics and controls. A downregulation of DRD1 but not DRD2 expression was seen in alcoholics. Expression of DRD1 and DRD2 strongly correlated with that of PDYN and OPRK1 suggesting high levels of transcriptional coordination between these gene clusters. The differences in expression and co-expression patterns were not due to the decline in neuronal proportion in alcoholic brain and thereby represent transcriptional phenomena. Dysregulation of DYN/KOR system and dopamine signaling through both alterations in co-expression patterns of opioid genes and decreased DRD1 gene expression may contribute to imbalance in the activity of D1- and D2-containing pathways which may lead to the negative affective state in human alcoholics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Bazov
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Daniil Sarkisyan
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olga Kononenko
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tatiana Yakovleva
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anita C Hansson
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang H Sommer
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Georgy Bakalkin
- Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, BMC Husargatan 3, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden
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23
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Deal AL, Konstantopoulos JK, Weiner JL, Budygin EA. Exploring the consequences of social defeat stress and intermittent ethanol drinking on dopamine dynamics in the rat nucleus accumbens. Sci Rep 2018; 8:332. [PMID: 29321525 PMCID: PMC5762836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18706-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to explore how presynaptic dopamine (DA) function is altered following brief stress episodes and chronic ethanol self-administration and whether these neuroadaptations modify the acute effects of ethanol on DA dynamics. We used fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to evaluate changes in DA release and uptake parameters in rat nucleus accumbens brain slices by analyzing DA transients evoked through single pulse electrical stimulation. Adult male rats were divided into four groups: ethanol-naïve or ethanol drinking (six week intermittent two-bottle choice) and stressed (mild social defeat) or nonstressed. Results revealed that the mild stress significantly increased DA release and uptake in ethanol-naïve subjects, compared to nonstressed controls. Chronic ethanol self-administration increased the DA uptake rate and occluded the effects of stress on DA release dynamics. Bath-applied ethanol decreased stimulated DA efflux in a concentration-dependent manner in all groups; however, the magnitude of this effect was blunted by either stress or chronic ethanol, or by a combination of both procedures. Together, these findings suggest that stress and ethanol drinking may promote similar adaptive changes in accumbal presynaptic DA release measures and that these changes may contribute to the escalation in ethanol intake that occurs during the development of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex L Deal
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Jeff L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Evgeny A Budygin
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. .,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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24
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Anderson RI, Moorman DE, Becker HC. Contribution of Dynorphin and Orexin Neuropeptide Systems to the Motivational Effects of Alcohol. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29526023 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the neural systems that drive alcohol motivation and are disrupted in alcohol use disorders is of critical importance in developing novel treatments. The dynorphin and orexin/hypocretin neuropeptide systems are particularly relevant with respect to alcohol use and misuse. Both systems are strongly associated with alcohol-seeking behaviors, particularly in cases of high levels of alcohol use as seen in dependence. Furthermore, both systems also play a role in stress and anxiety, indicating that disruption of these systems may underlie long-term homeostatic dysregulation seen in alcohol use disorders. These systems are also closely interrelated with one another - dynorphin/kappa opioid receptors and orexin/hypocretin receptors are found in similar regions and hypocretin/orexin neurons also express dynorphin - suggesting that these two systems may work together in the regulation of alcohol seeking and may be mutually disrupted in alcohol use disorders. This chapter reviews studies demonstrating a role for each of these systems in motivated behavior, with a focus on their roles in regulating alcohol-seeking and self-administration behaviors. Consideration is also given to evidence indicating that these neuropeptide systems may be viable targets for the development of potential treatments for alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Science and Technology Policy Fellowships, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David E Moorman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. .,Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. .,Department of Veterans Affairs, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
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25
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Karkhanis A, Holleran KM, Jones SR. Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor Signaling in Preclinical Models of Alcohol, Drug, and Food Addiction. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:53-88. [PMID: 29056156 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system is implicated in the "dark side" of addiction, in which stress exacerbates maladaptive responses to drug and alcohol exposure. For example, acute stress and acute ethanol exposure result in an elevation in dynorphin, the KOR endogenous ligand. Activation of KORs results in modulation of several neurotransmitters; however, this chapter will focus on its regulatory effects on dopamine in mesolimbic areas. Specifically, KOR activation has an inhibitory effect on dopamine release, thereby influencing reward processing. Repeated stimulation of KORs, for example, via chronic drug and/or stress exposure, results in increased function of the dynorphin/KOR system. This augmentation in KOR function shifts the homeostatic balance in favor of an overall reduction in dopamine signaling via either by reducing dopamine release or by increasing dopamine transporter function. This chapter examines the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on KOR function and the downstream effects on dopamine transmission. Additionally, the impact of chronic cocaine exposure and its effects on KOR function will be explored. Further, KORs may also be involved in driving excessive consumption of food, contributing to the risk of developing obesity. While some studies have shown that KOR agonists reduce drug intake, other studies have shown that antagonists reduce addiction-like behaviors, demonstrating therapeutic potential. For example, KOR inhibition reduces ethanol intake in dependent animals, motivation to self-administer cocaine in chronic stress-exposed animals, and food consumption in obese animals. This chapter will delve into the mechanisms by which modulation of the dynorphin/KOR system may be therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara R Jones
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.
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26
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Anderson RI, Becker HC. Role of the Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor System in the Motivational Effects of Ethanol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:1402-1418. [PMID: 28425121 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Evidence has demonstrated that dynorphin (DYN) and the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system contribute to various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. More recently, this endogenous opioid system has received increased attention as a potential therapeutic target for treating alcohol use disorders. In this review, we provide an overview and synthesis of preclinical studies examining the influence of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) exposure on DYN/KOR expression and function, as well as studies examining the effects of DYN/KOR manipulation on EtOH's rewarding and aversive properties. We then describe work that has characterized effects of KOR activation and blockade on EtOH self-administration and EtOH dependence/withdrawal-related behaviors. Finally, we address how the DYN/KOR system may contribute to stress-EtOH interactions. Despite an apparent role for the DYN/KOR system in motivational effects of EtOH, support comes from relatively few studies. Nevertheless, review of this literature reveals several common themes: (i) rodent strains genetically predisposed to consume more EtOH generally appear to have reduced DYN/KOR tone in brain reward circuitry; (ii) acute and chronic EtOH exposure typically up-regulate the DYN/KOR system; (iii) KOR antagonists reduce behavioral indices of negative affect associated with stress and chronic EtOH exposure/withdrawal; and (iv) KOR antagonists are effective in reducing EtOH consumption, but are often more efficacious under conditions that engender high levels of consumption, such as dependence or stress exposure. These results support the contention that the DYN/KOR system plays a significant role in contributing to dependence- and stress-induced elevation in EtOH consumption. Overall, more comprehensive analyses (on both behavioral and mechanistic levels) are needed to provide additional insight into how the DYN/KOR system is engaged and adapts to influence the motivation effects of EtOH. This information will be critical for the development of new pharmacological agents targeting KORs as promising novel therapeutics for alcohol use disorders and comorbid affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Anderson
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,Department of Neuroscience , Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.,RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Charleston, South Carolina
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27
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Nalmefene Reduces Reward Anticipation in Alcohol Dependence: An Experimental Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:941-948. [PMID: 28216062 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nalmefene is a µ and δ opioid receptor antagonist, κ opioid receptor partial agonist that has recently been approved in Europe for treating alcohol dependence. It offers a treatment approach for alcohol-dependent individuals with "high-risk drinking levels" to reduce their alcohol consumption. However, the neurobiological mechanism underpinning its effects on alcohol consumption remains to be determined. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover design we aimed to determine the effect of a single dose of nalmefene on striatal blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal change during anticipation of monetary reward using the monetary incentive delay task following alcohol challenge. METHODS Twenty-two currently heavy-drinking, non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent males were recruited. The effect of single dose nalmefene (18 mg) on changes in a priori defined striatal region of interest BOLD signal change during reward anticipation compared with placebo was investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Both conditions were performed under intravenous alcohol administration (6% vol/vol infusion to achieve a target level of 80 mg/dL). RESULTS Datasets from 18 participants were available and showed that in the presence of the alcohol infusion, nalmefene significantly reduced the BOLD response in the striatal region of interest compared with placebo. Nalmefene did not alter brain perfusion. CONCLUSIONS Nalmefene blunts BOLD response in the mesolimbic system during anticipation of monetary reward and an alcohol infusion. This is consistent with nalmefene's actions on opioid receptors, which modulate the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, and provides a neurobiological basis for its efficacy.
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28
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Karkhanis AN, Rose JH, Weiner JL, Jones SR. Early-Life Social Isolation Stress Increases Kappa Opioid Receptor Responsiveness and Downregulates the Dopamine System. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2263-74. [PMID: 26860203 PMCID: PMC4946054 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic early-life stress increases vulnerability to alcoholism and anxiety disorders during adulthood. Similarly, rats reared in social isolation (SI) during adolescence exhibit augmented ethanol intake and anxiety-like behaviors compared with group housed (GH) rats. Prior studies suggest that disruption of dopamine (DA) signaling contributes to SI-associated behaviors, although the mechanisms underlying these alterations are not fully understood. Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) have an important role in regulating mesolimbic DA signaling, and other kinds of stressors have been shown to augment KOR function. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that SI-induced increases in KOR function contribute to the dysregulation of NAc DA and the escalation in ethanol intake associated with SI. Our ex vivo voltammetry experiments showed that the inhibitory effects of the kappa agonist U50,488 on DA release were significantly enhanced in the NAc core and shell of SI rats. Dynorphin levels in NAc tissue were observed to be lower in SI rats. Microdialysis in freely moving rats revealed that SI was also associated with reduced baseline DA levels, and pretreatment with the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) increased DA levels selectively in SI subjects. Acute ethanol elevated DA in SI and GH rats and nor-BNI pretreatment augmented this effect in SI subjects, while having no effect on ethanol-stimulated DA release in GH rats. Together, these data suggest that KORs may have increased responsiveness following SI, which could lead to hypodopaminergia and contribute to an increased drive to consume ethanol. Indeed, SI rats exhibited greater ethanol intake and preference and KOR blockade selectively attenuated ethanol intake in SI rats. Collectively, the findings that nor-BNI reversed SI-mediated hypodopaminergic state and escalated ethanol intake suggest that KOR antagonists may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of alcohol use disorders, particularly in cases linked to chronic early-life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Translational Center for the Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jamie H Rose
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Translational Center for the Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Translational Center for the Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA, Tel: +1 336 716 8533, Fax: +1 336 716 8501, E-mail:
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29
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Karkhanis AN, Huggins KN, Rose JH, Jones SR. Switch from excitatory to inhibitory actions of ethanol on dopamine levels after chronic exposure: Role of kappa opioid receptors. Neuropharmacology 2016; 110:190-197. [PMID: 27450094 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Acute ethanol exposure is known to stimulate the dopamine system; however, chronic exposure has been shown to downregulate the dopamine system. In rodents, chronic intermittent exposure (CIE) to ethanol also increases negative affect during withdrawal, such as, increases in anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. Moreover, CIE exposure results in increased ethanol drinking and preference during withdrawal. Previous literature documents reductions in CIE-induced anxiety-, depressive-like behaviors and ethanol intake in response to kappa opioid receptor (KOR) blockade. KORs are located on presynaptic dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and inhibit release, an effect which has been linked to negative affective behaviors. Previous reports show an upregulation in KOR function following extended CIE exposure; however it is not clear whether there is a direct link between KOR upregulation and dopamine downregulation during withdrawal from CIE. This study aimed to examine the effects of KOR modulation on dopamine responses to ethanol of behaving mice exposed to air or ethanol vapor in a repeated intermittent pattern. First, we showed that KORs have a greater response to an agonist after moderate CIE compared to air exposed mice using ex vivo fast scan cyclic voltammetry. Second, using in vivo microdialysis, we showed that, in contrast to the expected increase in extracellular levels of dopamine following an acute ethanol challenge in air exposed mice, CIE exposed mice exhibited a robust decrease in dopamine levels. Third, we showed that blockade of KORs reversed the aberrant inhibitory dopamine response to ethanol in CIE exposed mice while not affecting the air exposed mice demonstrating that inhibition of KORs "rescued" dopamine responses in CIE exposed mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that augmentation of dynorphin/KOR system activity drives the reduction in stimulated (electrical and ethanol) dopamine release in the NAc. Thus, blockade of KORs is a promising avenue for developing pharmacotherapies for alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Translational Center for the Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly N Huggins
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jamie H Rose
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Translational Center for the Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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Rose JH, Karkhanis AN, Chen R, Gioia D, Lopez MF, Becker HC, McCool BA, Jones SR. Supersensitive Kappa Opioid Receptors Promotes Ethanol Withdrawal-Related Behaviors and Reduce Dopamine Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 19:pyv127. [PMID: 26625893 PMCID: PMC4886667 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic ethanol exposure reduces dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens, which may contribute to the negative affective symptoms associated with ethanol withdrawal. Kappa opioid receptors have been implicated in withdrawal-induced excessive drinking and anxiety-like behaviors and are known to inhibit dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. The effects of chronic ethanol exposure on kappa opioid receptor-mediated changes in dopamine transmission at the level of the dopamine terminal and withdrawal-related behaviors were examined. METHODS Five weeks of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure in male C57BL/6 mice were used to examine the role of kappa opioid receptors in chronic ethanol-induced increases in ethanol intake and marble burying, a measure of anxiety/compulsive-like behavior. Drinking and marble burying were evaluated before and after chronic intermittent ethanol exposure, with and without kappa opioid receptor blockade by nor-binaltorphimine (10mg/kg i.p.). Functional alterations in kappa opioid receptors were assessed using fast scan cyclic voltammetry in brain slices containing the nucleus accumbens. RESULTS Chronic intermittent ethanol-exposed mice showed increased ethanol drinking and marble burying compared with controls, which was attenuated with kappa opioid receptor blockade. Chronic intermittent ethanol-induced increases in behavior were replicated with kappa opioid receptor activation in naïve mice. Fast scan cyclic voltammetry revealed that chronic intermittent ethanol reduced accumbal dopamine release and increased uptake rates, promoting a hypodopaminergic state of this region. Kappa opioid receptor activation with U50,488H concentration-dependently decreased dopamine release in both groups; however, this effect was greater in chronic intermittent ethanol-treated mice, indicating kappa opioid receptor supersensitivity in this group. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the chronic intermittent ethanol-induced increase in ethanol intake and anxiety/compulsive-like behaviors may be driven by greater kappa opioid receptor sensitivity and a hypodopaminergic state of the nucleus accumbens.
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MESH Headings
- Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects
- Alcohol Drinking/metabolism
- Alcohol Drinking/physiopathology
- Alcohol Drinking/psychology
- Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System/metabolism
- Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System/physiopathology
- Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System/psychology
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Anxiety/metabolism
- Anxiety/physiopathology
- Anxiety/psychology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Compulsive Behavior
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine/metabolism
- Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Ethanol
- In Vitro Techniques
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
- Nucleus Accumbens/drug effects
- Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism
- Nucleus Accumbens/physiopathology
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/metabolism
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/physiopathology
- Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/psychology
- Synaptic Transmission/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie H Rose
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Anushree N Karkhanis
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Dominic Gioia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Howard C Becker
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Brian A McCool
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker)
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Rose, Dr Karkhanis, Dr Chen, Mr Gioia, Dr McCool, and Dr Jones); Charleston Alcohol Research Center (Drs Lopez and Becker), Department of Psychiatry (Drs Lopez and Becker), and Department of Neurosciences (Dr Becker), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Becker).
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Siciliano CA, Calipari ES, Yorgason JT, Lovinger DM, Mateo Y, Jimenez VA, Helms CM, Grant KA, Jones SR. Increased presynaptic regulation of dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens core following chronic ethanol self-administration in female macaques. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1435-43. [PMID: 26892380 PMCID: PMC4814331 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Hypofunction of striatal dopamine neurotransmission, or hypodopaminergia, is a consequence of excessive ethanol use and is hypothesized to be a critical component of alcoholism, driving alcohol intake in an attempt to restore dopamine levels; however, the neurochemical mechanisms involved in these dopaminergic deficiencies are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE Here we examined the specific dopaminergic adaptations that produce hypodopaminergia and contribute to alcohol use disorders using direct, sub-second measurements of dopamine signaling in nonhuman primates following chronic ethanol self-administration. METHODS Female rhesus macaques completed 1 year of daily (22 h/day) ethanol self-administration. Subsequently, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry was used in nucleus accumbens core brain slices to determine alterations in dopamine terminal function, including release and uptake kinetics, and sensitivity to quinpirole (D2/D3 dopamine receptor agonist) and U50,488 (kappa opioid receptor agonist) induced inhibition of dopamine release. RESULTS Ethanol drinking greatly increased uptake rates, which were positively correlated with lifetime ethanol intake. Furthermore, the sensitivity of dopamine D2/D3 autoreceptors and kappa opioid receptors, which both act as negative regulators of presynaptic dopamine release, was moderately and robustly enhanced in ethanol drinkers. CONCLUSIONS Greater uptake rates and sensitivity to D2-type autoreceptor and kappa opioid receptor agonists could converge to drive a hypodopaminergic state, characterized by reduced basal dopamine and an inability to mount appropriate dopaminergic responses to salient stimuli. Together, we outline the specific alterations to dopamine signaling that may drive ethanol-induced hypofunction of the dopamine system and suggest that the dopamine and dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor systems may be efficacious pharmacotherapeutic targets in the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jordan T Yorgason
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Yolanda Mateo
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Vanessa A Jimenez
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Christa M Helms
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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Anderson RI, Lopez MF, Becker HC. Stress-Induced Enhancement of Ethanol Intake in C57BL/6J Mice with a History of Chronic Ethanol Exposure: Involvement of Kappa Opioid Receptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:45. [PMID: 26941607 PMCID: PMC4763044 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that daily forced swim stress (FSS) prior to ethanol drinking sessions facilitates enhanced ethanol consumption in mice with a history of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure without altering ethanol intake in air-exposed controls. Because both stress and chronic ethanol exposure have been shown to activate the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system, the present study was designed to explore a potential role for KORs in modulating stress effects on ethanol consumption in the CIE model of dependence and relapse drinking. After stable baseline ethanol intake was established in adult male C57BL/6J mice, subjects received chronic intermittent exposure (16 h/day × 4 days/week) to ethanol vapor (CIE group) or air (CTL group). Weekly cycles of inhalation exposure were alternated with 5-day limited access drinking tests (1 h access to 15% ethanol). Experiment 1 compared effects of daily FSS and KOR activation on ethanol consumption. CIE and CTL mice were either exposed to FSS (10 min), the KOR agonist U50,488 (5 mg/kg), or a vehicle injection (non-stressed condition) prior to each daily drinking session during test weeks. FSS selectively increased drinking in CIE mice. U50,488 mimicked this effect in CIE mice, but also increased drinking in CTL mice. Experiment 2 assessed effects of KOR blockade on stress-induced drinking in CIE and CTL mice. Stressed and non-stressed mice were administered the short-acting KOR antagonist LY2444296 (0 or 5 mg/kg) 30 min prior to each drinking session during test weeks. FSS selectively increased ethanol consumption in CIE mice, an effect that was abolished by LY2444296 pretreatment. In Experiment 3, CIE and CTL mice were administered one of four doses of U50,488 (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 mg/kg) 1 h prior to each daily drinking test (in lieu of FSS). All doses of U50,488 increased ethanol consumption in both CIE and CTL mice. The U50,488-induced increase in drinking was blocked by LY2444296. Our results demonstrate that the KOR system contributes to the stress enhancement of ethanol intake in mice with a history of chronic ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Anderson
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical CenterCharleston, SC, USA
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Al-Hasani R, McCall JG, Shin G, Gomez AM, Schmitz GP, Bernardi JM, Pyo CO, Park SI, Marcinkiewcz CM, Crowley NA, Krashes MJ, Lowell BB, Kash TL, Rogers JA, Bruchas MR. Distinct Subpopulations of Nucleus Accumbens Dynorphin Neurons Drive Aversion and Reward. Neuron 2015; 87:1063-77. [PMID: 26335648 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dynorphinergic system are widely implicated in motivated behaviors. Prior studies have shown that activation of the dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system leads to aversive, dysphoria-like behavior. However, the endogenous sources of dynorphin in these circuits remain unknown. We investigated whether dynorphinergic neuronal firing in the NAc is sufficient to induce aversive behaviors. We found that photostimulation of dynorphinergic cells in the ventral NAc shell elicits robust conditioned and real-time aversive behavior via KOR activation, and in contrast, photostimulation of dorsal NAc shell dynorphin cells induced a KOR-mediated place preference and was positively reinforcing. These results show previously unknown discrete subregions of dynorphin-containing cells in the NAc shell that selectively drive opposing behaviors. Understanding the discrete regional specificity by which NAc dynorphinerigic cells regulate preference and aversion provides insight into motivated behaviors that are dysregulated in stress, reward, and psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ream Al-Hasani
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Jordan G McCall
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gunchul Shin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Adrian M Gomez
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gavin P Schmitz
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julio M Bernardi
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chang-O Pyo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sung Il Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Catherine M Marcinkiewcz
- Department of Pharmacology and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Nicole A Crowley
- Department of Pharmacology and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bradford B Lowell
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Department of Pharmacology and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - John A Rogers
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Edwards S. Reinforcement principles for addiction medicine; from recreational drug use to psychiatric disorder. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2015; 223:63-76. [PMID: 26806771 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The transition from recreational drug use to addiction can be conceptualized as a pathological timeline whereby the psychological mechanisms responsible for disordered drug use evolve from positive reinforcement to favor elements of negative reinforcement. Abused substances (ranging from alcohol to psychostimulants) are initially ingested at regular occasions according to their positive reinforcing properties. Importantly, repeated exposure to rewarding substances sets off a chain of secondary reinforcing events, whereby cues and contexts associated with drug use may themselves become reinforcing and thereby contribute to the continued use and possible abuse of the substance(s) of choice. Indeed, the powerful reinforcing efficacy of certain drugs may eclipse that of competing social rewards (such as career and family) and lead to an aberrant narrowing of behavioral repertoire. In certain vulnerable individuals, escalation of drug use over time is thought to drive specific molecular neuroadaptations that foster the development of addiction. Research has identified neurobiological elements of altered reinforcement following excessive drug use that comprise within-circuit and between-circuit neuroadaptations, both of which contribute to addiction. Central to this process is the eventual potentiation of negative reinforcement mechanisms that may represent the final definitive criterion locking vulnerable individuals into a persistent state of addiction. Targeting the neural substrates of reinforcement likely represents our best chances for therapeutic intervention for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:872-1004. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Spagnolo PA, Ramchandani VA, Schwandt ML, Zhang L, Blaine SK, Usala JM, Diamond KA, Phillips MJ, George DT, Momenan R, Heilig M. Effects of naltrexone on neural and subjective response to alcohol in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent patients. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2015; 38:3024-32. [PMID: 25581657 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positively reinforcing properties of alcohol are in part mediated by activation of the ventral striatum (VS). Alcohol-induced release of endogenous opioids is thought to contribute to this response. Preclinical studies show that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) can block this cascade, but its ability to do so in treatment-seeking alcoholics has not been examined. Our objective was to study the effects of NTX on alcohol-induced VS activation and on amygdala response to affective stimuli in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent inpatients. METHODS Sixty-three treatment-seeking alcoholics were randomized to receive NTX (50 mg) or placebo (PLC) daily. On Day 7, participants underwent an alcohol cue reactivity session, and craving was measured using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. On Day 9, participants received a saline infusion followed by an alcohol infusion and also viewed affective stimuli in a magnetic resonance scanner. RESULTS Irrespective of medication treatment condition, the alcohol infusion did not activate the VS in the alcohol-dependent patients. Unexpectedly, VS activation was greater in NTX treated patients than in the PLC group. NTX treated patients also reported increased craving in response to alcohol cue exposure, and increased subjective response to alcohol ("high" and "intoxicated") compared to PLC subjects. No significant effects of alcohol infusion on brain response to affective stimuli were in the NTX or PLC groups. CONCLUSIONS Unlike previous findings in social drinkers, a moderate level of intoxication did not activate the VS in treatment-seeking alcoholics. This is likely to reflect tolerance to the positively reinforcing properties of alcohol in this clinical population. Our findings may help explain the efficacy of NTX to reduce heavy drinking, but not to maintain abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primavera A Spagnolo
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Zan GY, Wang Q, Wang YJ, Liu Y, Hang A, Shu XH, Liu JG. Antagonism of κ opioid receptor in the nucleus accumbens prevents the depressive-like behaviors following prolonged morphine abstinence. Behav Brain Res 2015; 291:334-341. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Noble F, Lenoir M, Marie N. The opioid receptors as targets for drug abuse medication. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:3964-79. [PMID: 25988826 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous opioid system is largely expressed in the brain, and both endogenous opioid peptides and receptors are present in areas associated with reward and motivation. It is well known that this endogenous system plays a key role in many aspects of addictive behaviours. The present review summarizes the modifications of the opioid system induced by chronic treatment with drugs of abuse reported in preclinical and clinical studies, as well as the action of opioid antagonists and agonists on the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse, with therapeutic perspectives. We have focused on the effects of chronic psychostimulants, alcohol and nicotine exposure. Taken together, the changes in both opioid peptides and opioid receptors in different brain structures following acute or chronic exposure to these drugs of abuse clearly identify the opioid system as a potential target for the development of effective pharmacotherapy for the treatment of addiction and the prevention of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Noble
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Magalie Lenoir
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Marie
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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The kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), decreases morphine withdrawal and the consequent conditioned place aversion in rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 283:16-21. [PMID: 25591478 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Much data suggest that the binding of dynorphin-like peptides to kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) during the administration of and withdrawal from a variety of addictive drugs is aversive and serves to limit the reinforcing properties of those drugs and to enhance tolerance, withdrawal, and the probability of stress-induced relapse. In this study, we examined the role of KORs in mediating opioid withdrawal and its aversive consequences in rats. We found that selective blockade of KORs by i.p. administration of 20mg/kg nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) 5h prior to naltrexone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats decreased feces excreted during a 30-min withdrawal session. More critically, this injection of nor-BNI decreased the subsequent conditioned place aversion (CPA) for the withdrawal chamber 2 days later. The subsequent finding that administration of nor-BNI 2h following withdrawal did not affect the CPA 2 days later suggested that nor-BNI reduced the CPA in the prior experiment because it reduced the aversive effects of withdrawal, not because it reduced the aversive/anxiogenic effects of the withdrawal chamber at the time of CPA testing. These data indicate that the binding of dynorphin-like peptides to KORs during opioid withdrawal serves to enhance withdrawal and its aversive consequences and suggest that selective KOR antagonists may be useful in reducing these aversive effects and consequent relapse.
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Leasure JL, Neighbors C, Henderson CE, Young CM. Exercise and Alcohol Consumption: What We Know, What We Need to Know, and Why it is Important. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:156. [PMID: 26578988 PMCID: PMC4629692 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise provides a wealth of benefits to brain and body, and is regarded as a protective factor against disease. Protective factors tend to cluster together - that is, people who engage in one healthy behavior, such as exercise, also engage in other healthy behaviors, such as maintaining a nutritious diet and getting sufficient sleep. In contrast to exercise, alcohol consumption is not typically regarded as a health-promoting behavior, although moderate intake has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Surprisingly, several large, population-based studies have shown a positive association between physical activity and alcohol intake. The present review focuses on what is known about this relationship, including potential neural bases as well as moderating factors, and discusses important directions for further study, such as a more thorough characterization of people who both drink and exercise. We focus on ramifications for intervening with people who have alcohol use disorders, as exercise has been assessed as both a treatment and preventive measure, with mixed results. We believe that, in order for such interventions to be effective, clinical trials must distinguish treatment-seeking populations from non-treatment-seeking ones, as well as ensure that the use of exercise as a tool to decrease alcohol consumption is made explicit. We posit that a better understanding of the relationship between physical activity and alcohol intake will maximize intervention efforts by informing the design of clinical trials and research-driven prevention strategies, as well as enable individuals to make educated decisions about their health behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Leigh Leasure
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston , Houston, TX , USA
| | | | - Craig E Henderson
- Department of Psychology, Sam Houston State University , Huntsville, TX , USA
| | - Chelsie M Young
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston , Houston, TX , USA
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Cahill CM, Taylor AMW, Cook C, Ong E, Morón JA, Evans CJ. Does the kappa opioid receptor system contribute to pain aversion? Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:253. [PMID: 25452729 PMCID: PMC4233910 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and the endogenous peptide-ligand dynorphin have received significant attention due the involvement in mediating a variety of behavioral and neurophysiological responses, including opposing the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse including opioids. Accumulating evidence indicates this system is involved in regulating states of motivation and emotion. Acute activation of the KOR produces an increase in motivational behavior to escape a threat, however, KOR activation associated with chronic stress leads to the expression of symptoms indicative of mood disorders. It is well accepted that KOR can produce analgesia and is engaged in chronic pain states including neuropathic pain. Spinal studies have revealed KOR-induced analgesia in reversing pain hypersensitivities associated with peripheral nerve injury. While systemic administration of KOR agonists attenuates nociceptive sensory transmission, this effect appears to be a stress-induced effect as anxiolytic agents, including delta opioid receptor agonists, mitigate KOR agonist-induced analgesia. Additionally, while the role of KOR and dynorphin in driving the dysphoric and aversive components of stress and drug withdrawal has been well characterized, how this system mediates the negative emotional states associated with chronic pain is relatively unexplored. This review provides evidence that dynorphin and the KOR system contribute to the negative affective component of pain and that this receptor system likely contributes to the high comorbidity of mood disorders associated with chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Cahill
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA ; Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA ; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Anna M W Taylor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA ; Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Cook
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA ; Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Edmund Ong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California Irvine Irvine, CA, USA ; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Jose A Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Christopher J Evans
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Kissler JL, Sirohi S, Reis DJ, Jansen HT, Quock RM, Smith DG, Walker BM. The one-two punch of alcoholism: role of central amygdala dynorphins/kappa-opioid receptors. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 75:774-82. [PMID: 23611261 PMCID: PMC3749293 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system undergoes neuroadaptations following chronic alcohol exposure that promote excessive operant self-administration and negative affective-like states; however, the exact mechanisms are unknown. The present studies tested the hypothesis that an upregulated DYN/KOR system mediates excessive alcohol self-administration that occurs during withdrawal in alcohol-dependent rats by assessing DYN A peptide expression and KOR function, in combination with site-specific pharmacologic manipulations. METHODS Male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer alcohol using operant behavioral strategies and subjected to intermittent alcohol vapor or air exposure. Changes in self-administration were assessed by pharmacologic challenges during acute withdrawal. In addition, 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations were utilized to measure negative affective-like states. Immunohistochemical techniques assessed DYN A peptide expression and [(35)S]GTPγS coupling assays were performed to assess KOR function. RESULTS Alcohol-dependent rats displayed increased alcohol self-administration, negative affective-like behavior, DYN A-like immunoreactivity, and KOR signaling in the amygdala compared with nondependent control rats. Site-specific infusions of a KOR antagonist selectively attenuated self-administration in dependent rats, whereas a mu-opioid receptor/delta-opioid receptor antagonist cocktail selectively reduced self-administration in nondependent rats. A mu-opioid receptor antagonist/partial KOR agonist attenuated self-administration in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Increased DYN A and increased KOR signaling could set the stage for a one-two punch during withdrawal that drives excessive alcohol consumption in alcohol dependence. Importantly, intracentral nucleus of the amygdala pharmacologic challenges functionally confirmed a DYN/KOR system involvement in the escalated alcohol self-administration. Together, the DYN/KOR system is heavily dysregulated in alcohol dependence and contributes to the excessive alcohol consumption during withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Kissler
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Sunil Sirohi
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Daniel J. Reis
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Heiko T. Jansen
- Veterinary, Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology Department Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Raymond M. Quock
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Daniel G. Smith
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, H. Lundbeck A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brendan M. Walker
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology Washington State University, Pullman, WA,Corresponding Author: Dr. Brendan M. Walker Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience Department of Psychology Graduate Program in Neuroscience Mail Code: 644820 Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-4820 509-335-8526 (phone) 509-335-5043 (fax)
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Nizhnikov ME, Pautassi RM, Carter JM, Landin JD, Varlinskaya EI, Bordner KA, Werner DF, Spear NE. Brief prenatal ethanol exposure alters behavioral sensitivity to the kappa opioid receptor agonist (U62,066E) and antagonist (Nor-BNI) and reduces kappa opioid receptor expression. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:1630-8. [PMID: 24796820 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 10 to 15% of women consume alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) during pregnancy in the United States. Even low amounts of EtOH consumption during pregnancy can elicit long-term consequences. Prenatal experience with as few as 3 drinks has been associated with increase problem drinking in adulthood. Such effects are corroborated in rodents; however, the underlying neural adaptations contributing to this effect are not clear. In the current set of experiments, we investigated whether changes in EtOH responding following prenatal EtOH exposure involved kappa opioid receptor activation and expression. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were prenatally exposed to low levels of alcohol (1.0 g/kg) during late gestation (gestational days 17 to 20 [GD17-20]) via intragastric intubation of pregnant dams. Following birth, EtOH intake, kappa- and mu-opioid-induced place conditioning, and kappa opioid receptor expression in mesolimbic brain regions were assessed in infant rats (postnatal days 14 to 15 [PD14-15]) that were offspring of dams given EtOH, vehicle, or untreated, during pregnancy. RESULTS Animals exposed to prenatal alcohol drank more alcohol later in life and exhibited significant changes in the kappa opioid system. While control subjects found kappa opioid activation aversive, animals exposed to EtOH prenatally exhibited either no aversion or appetitive responding. Further analysis revealed that synaptosomal kappa opioid receptor expression was significantly decreased in brain areas implicated in responding to EtOH. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these data suggest that prenatal EtOH affects kappa opioid function and expression and that these changes may be involved in increased drinking later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Nizhnikov
- Department of Psychology , Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton, New York
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44
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Lalanne L, Ayranci G, Kieffer BL, Lutz PE. The kappa opioid receptor: from addiction to depression, and back. Front Psychiatry 2014; 5:170. [PMID: 25538632 PMCID: PMC4258993 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Comorbidity is a major issue in psychiatry that notably associates with more severe symptoms, longer illness duration, and higher service utilization. Therefore, identifying key clusters of comorbidity and exploring the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms represent important steps toward improving mental health care. In the present review, we focus on the frequent association between addiction and depression. In particular, we summarize the large body of evidence from preclinical models indicating that the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), a member of the opioid neuromodulatory system, represents a central player in the regulation of both reward and mood processes. Current data suggest that the KOR modulates overlapping neuronal networks linking brainstem monoaminergic nuclei with forebrain limbic structures. Rewarding properties of both drugs of abuse and natural stimuli, as well as the neurobiological effects of stressful experiences, strongly interact at the level of KOR signaling. In addiction models, activity of the KOR is potentiated by stressors and critically controls drug-seeking and relapse. In depression paradigms, KOR signaling is responsive to a variety of stressors, and mediates despair-like responses. Altogether, the KOR represents a prototypical substrate of comorbidity, whereby life experiences converge upon common brain mechanisms to trigger behavioral dysregulation and increased risk for distinct but interacting psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Lalanne
- CNRS UMR-7104, Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, Université de Strasbourg , Illkirch , France ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Strasbourg and Medical School of Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Gulebru Ayranci
- CNRS UMR-7104, Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, Université de Strasbourg , Illkirch , France ; Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University , Montréal, QC , Canada
| | - Brigitte L Kieffer
- Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University , Montréal, QC , Canada
| | - Pierre-Eric Lutz
- Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University , Montréal, QC , Canada
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Abstract
The opioid system modulator nalmefene (Selincro®) is approved in the EU for as-needed use to reduce alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent adults with a high drinking risk level. This article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of as-needed oral nalmefene in the treatment of alcohol dependence, as well as summarizing its pharmacological properties. In two randomized, double-blind, multinational trials (ESENSE 1 and ESENSE 2), as-needed nalmefene significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days (in both trials) and total alcohol consumption (in ESENSE 1) at month 6. In the randomized, double-blind, multinational SENSE trial, as-needed nalmefene significantly improved both of these endpoints at month 13, but not at month 6. As-needed nalmefene had a greater beneficial effect in the target population (i.e. alcohol-dependent patients with at least a high drinking risk level at screening and randomization), with post hoc analyses revealing significant reductions in both the number of heavy drinking days and total alcohol consumption at month 6 (in ESENSE 1 and ESENSE 2) and at month 13 (in SENSE). Oral nalmefene was generally well tolerated in patients with alcohol dependence, with the most commonly occurring adverse events including nausea, insomnia and dizziness. In conclusion, as-needed nalmefene provides an important new option for use in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian M Keating
- Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore 0754, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Morales M, Anderson RI, Spear LP, Varlinskaya EI. Effects of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, on ethanol intake: impact of age and sex. Dev Psychobiol 2013; 56:700-12. [PMID: 23754134 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), was used to investigate the role of the KOR system in mediating ethanol intake. On P25 (adolescent) or P67 (adult) male and female rats were individually housed and given ad libitum access to food and water. The experimental procedure was initiated on P28 or P70: animals were given 30 min/day access to a 10% ethanol/supersaccharin solution every other day (3 baseline exposures). On the day after the final baseline test, rats were injected with nor-BNI (0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg), with testing initiated 24 hr later (30-min access every other day, 3 test exposures). Nor-BNI (10 mg/kg) increased ethanol intake in adult males, whereas the same dose decreased intake in adult females, suggesting pronounced sex differences in KOR-associated mediation of ethanol intake in adulthood. There was no impact of nor-BNI in adolescent animals of either sex, suggesting that the KOR may play less of a role in modulating ethanol intake during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Morales
- Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, New York, 13902-6000.
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Li C, McCall NM, Lopez AJ, Kash TL. Alcohol effects on synaptic transmission in periaqueductal gray dopamine neurons. Alcohol 2013; 47:279-87. [PMID: 23597415 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The role of dopamine (DA) signaling in regulating the rewarding properties of drugs, including alcohol, has been widely studied. The majority of these studies, however, have focused on the DA neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and their projections to the nucleus accumbens. DA neurons within the ventral periaqueductal gray (vPAG) have been shown to regulate reward but little is known about the functional properties of these neurons, or how they are modified by drugs of abuse. This lack of knowledge is likely due to the highly heterogeneous cell composition of the vPAG, with both γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurons present in addition to DA neurons. In this study, we performed whole-cell recordings in a TH-eGFP transgenic mouse line to evaluate the properties of vPAG-DA neurons. Following this initial characterization, we examined how both acute and chronic alcohol exposure modify synaptic transmission onto vPAG-DA neurons. We found minimal effects of acute alcohol exposure on GABA transmission, but a robust enhancement of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in vPAG-DA. Consistent with this effect on excitatory transmission, we also found that alcohol caused an increase in firing rate. These data were in contrast to the effects of chronic intermittent alcohol exposure, which had no significant impact on either inhibitory or excitatory synaptic transmission on the vPAG-DA neurons. These data add to a growing body of literature that points to alcohol having both region-dependent and cell-type dependent effects on function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia Li
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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48
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D'Addario C, Caputi FF, Rimondini R, Gandolfi O, Del Borrello E, Candeletti S, Romualdi P. Different alcohol exposures induce selective alterations on the expression of dynorphin and nociceptin systems related genes in rat brain. Addict Biol 2013; 18:425-33. [PMID: 21507157 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00326.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms of adaptive transformations caused by alcohol exposure on opioid dynorphin and nociceptin systems have been investigated in the rat brain. Alcohol was intragastrically administered to rats to resemble human drinking with several hours of exposure: water or alcohol (20% in water) at a dose of 1.5 g/kg three times daily for 1 or 5 days. The development of tolerance and dependence were recorded daily. Brains were dissected 30 minutes (1- and 5-day groups) or 1, 3 or 7 days after the last administration for the three other 5-day groups (groups under withdrawal). Specific alterations in opioid genes expression were ascertained. In the amygdala, an up-regulation of prodynorphin and pronociceptin was observed in the 1-day group; moreover, pronociceptin and the kappa opioid receptor mRNAs in the 5-day group and both peptide precursors in the 1-day withdrawal group were also up-regulated. In the prefrontal cortex, an increase in prodynorhin expression in the 1-day group was detected. These data indicate a relevant role of the dynorphinergic system in the negative hedonic states associated with multiple alcohol exposure. The pattern of alterations observed for the nociceptin system appears to be consistent with its role of functional antagonism towards the actions of ethanol associated with other opioid peptides. Our findings could help to the understanding of how alcohol differentially affects the opioid systems in the brain and also suggest the dynorphin and nociceptin systems as possible targets for the treatment and/or prevention of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio D'Addario
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, Bologna, Italy.
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49
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Berger AL, Williams AM, McGinnis MM, Walker BM. Affective cue-induced escalation of alcohol self-administration and increased 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations during alcohol withdrawal: role of kappa-opioid receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:647-54. [PMID: 23212453 PMCID: PMC3572461 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Negative affect promotes dysregulated alcohol consumption in non-dependent and alcohol-dependent animals, and cues associated with negative affective states induce withdrawal-like symptoms in rats. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that: (1) the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system mediates phenotypes related to alcohol withdrawal and withdrawal-like negative affective states and (2) cues associated with negative affective states would result in dysregulated alcohol consumption when subsequently presented alone. To accomplish these goals, intracerebroventricular infusion of the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) was assessed for the ability to attenuate the increase in 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) associated with alcohol withdrawal and KOR activation in adult male wistar rats. Furthermore, cues associated with a KOR agonist-induced negative affective state were assessed for the ability to dysregulate alcohol consumption and the efficacy of intracerebroventricular KOR antagonism to reduce such dysregulation was evaluated. KOR antagonism blocked the increased number of 22-kHz USVs observed during acute alcohol withdrawal and a KOR agonist (U50,488) resulted in a nor-BNI reversible increase in 22-kHz USVs (mimicking an alcohol-dependent state). Additionally, cues associated with negative affective states resulted in escalated alcohol self-administration, an effect that was nor-BNI sensitive. Taken together, this study implicates negative affective states induced by both alcohol withdrawal and conditioned stimuli as being produced, in part, by activity of the DYN/KOR system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Berger
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Angela M Williams
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Molly M McGinnis
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Brendan M Walker
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Pullman, WA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Pullman, WA, USA
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50
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Sirohi S, Bakalkin G, Walker BM. Alcohol-induced plasticity in the dynorphin/kappa-opioid receptor system. Front Mol Neurosci 2012; 5:95. [PMID: 23060746 PMCID: PMC3459013 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2012.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by continued alcohol use despite numerous adverse consequences. Alcohol has been shown to interact with numerous neurotransmitter systems to exert its pharmacological effects. The endogenous opioid system (EOS) has been strongly implicated in the positive and negative reinforcing effects of alcohol. Traditionally recognized as dysphoric/anhedonic in nature, the dynorphin/kappa-opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) system has recently received considerable attention due to evidence suggesting that an upregulated DYN/KOR system may be a critical contributor to the complex factors that result in escalated alcohol consumption once dependent. The present review will discuss alcohol-induced plasticity in the DYN/KOR system and how these neuroadaptations could contribute to excessive alcohol seeking and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Sirohi
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University Pullman, WA, USA
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