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Topchiy I, Mohbat J, Folorunso OO, Wang ZZ, Lazcano-Etchebarne C, Engin E. GABA system as the cause and effect in early development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105651. [PMID: 38579901 PMCID: PMC11081854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105651] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain and through its actions on GABAARs, it protects against excitotoxicity and seizure activity, ensures temporal fidelity of neurotransmission, and regulates concerted rhythmic activity of neuronal populations. In the developing brain, the development of GABAergic neurons precedes that of glutamatergic neurons and the GABA system serves as a guide and framework for the development of other brain systems. Despite this early start, the maturation of the GABA system also continues well into the early postnatal period. In this review, we organize evidence around two scenarios based on the essential and protracted nature of GABA system development: 1) disruptions in the development of the GABA system can lead to large scale disruptions in other developmental processes (i.e., GABA as the cause), 2) protracted maturation of this system makes it vulnerable to the effects of developmental insults (i.e., GABA as the effect). While ample evidence supports the importance of GABA/GABAAR system in both scenarios, large gaps in existing knowledge prevent strong mechanistic conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Topchiy
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Julie Mohbat
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Oluwarotimi O Folorunso
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ziyi Zephyr Wang
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Elif Engin
- Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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2
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Tan JW, An JJ, Deane H, Xu H, Liao GY, Xu B. Neurotrophin-3 from the dentate gyrus supports postsynaptic sites of mossy fiber-CA3 synapses and hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-023-02404-5. [PMID: 38212372 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
At the center of the hippocampal tri-synaptic loop are synapses formed between mossy fiber (MF) terminals from granule cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) and proximal dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons. However, the molecular mechanism regulating the development and function of these synapses is poorly understood. In this study, we showed that neurotrophin-3 (NT3) was expressed in nearly all mature granule cells but not CA3 cells. We selectively deleted the NT3-encoding Ntf3 gene in the DG during the first two postnatal weeks to generate a Ntf3 conditional knockout (Ntf3-cKO). Ntf3-cKO mice of both sexes had normal hippocampal cytoarchitecture but displayed impairments in contextual memory, spatial reference memory, and nest building. Furthermore, male Ntf3-cKO mice exhibited anxiety-like behaviors, whereas female Ntf3-cKO showed some mild depressive symptoms. As MF-CA3 synapses are essential for encoding of contextual memory, we examined synaptic transmission at these synapses using ex vivo electrophysiological recordings. We found that Ntf3-cKO mice had impaired basal synaptic transmission due to deficits in excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by AMPA receptors but normal presynaptic function and intrinsic excitability of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Consistent with this selective postsynaptic deficit, Ntf3-cKO mice had fewer and smaller thorny excrescences on proximal apical dendrites of CA3 neurons and lower GluR1 levels in the stratum lucidum area where MF-CA3 synapses reside but normal MF terminals, compared with control mice. Thus, our study indicates that NT3 expressed in the dentate gyrus is crucial for the postsynaptic structure and function of MF-CA3 synapses and hippocampal-dependent memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Wei Tan
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Juan Ji An
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Hannah Deane
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Haifei Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Guey-Ying Liao
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Baoji Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
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3
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Borrelli KN, Wingfield KK, Yao EJ, Zamorano CA, Sena KD, Beierle JA, Roos MA, Zhang H, Wachman EM, Bryant CD. Decreased myelin-related gene expression in the nucleus accumbens during spontaneous neonatal opioid withdrawal in the absence of long-term behavioral effects in adult outbred CFW mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 240:109732. [PMID: 37774943 PMCID: PMC10598517 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109732] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal opioid exposure is a major health concern in the United States, with the incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) escalating in recent years. NOWS occurs upon cessation of in utero opioid exposure and is characterized by increased irritability, disrupted sleep patterns, high-pitched crying, and dysregulated feeding. The main pharmacological strategy for alleviating symptoms is treatment with replacement opioids. The neural mechanisms mediating NOWS and the long-term neurobehavioral effects are poorly understood. We used a third trimester-approximate model in which neonatal outbred pups (Carworth Farms White; CFW) were administered once-daily morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) from postnatal day (P) day 1 through P14 and were then assessed for behavioral and transcriptomic adaptations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on P15. We also investigated the long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult learning and reward sensitivity. We observed significant weight deficits, spontaneous thermal hyperalgesia, and altered ultrasonic vocalization (USV) profiles following repeated morphine and during spontaneous withdrawal. Transcriptome analysis of NAc from opioid-withdrawn P15 neonates via bulk mRNA sequencing identified an enrichment profile consistent with downregulation of myelin-associated transcripts. Despite the neonatal behavioral and molecular effects, there were no significant long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult spatial memory function in the Barnes Maze, emotional learning in fear conditioning, or in baseline or methamphetamine-potentiated reward sensitivity as measured via intracranial self-stimulation. Thus, the once daily third trimester-approximate exposure regimen, while inducing NOWS model traits and significant transcriptomic effects in neonates, had no significant long-term effects on adult behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn N Borrelli
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Boston University's Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Kelly K Wingfield
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Emily J Yao
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Catalina A Zamorano
- Boston University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5th floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Katherine D Sena
- Boston University's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5th floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jacob A Beierle
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, USA; Boston University's Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Michelle A Roos
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Elisha M Wachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Av, 140 The Fenway Building, X138, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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4
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Borrelli KN, Wingfield KK, Yao EJ, Zamorano CA, Sena KD, Beierle JA, Roos MA, Zhang H, Wachman EM, Bryant CD. Decreased myelin-related gene expression in the nucleus accumbens during spontaneous neonatal opioid withdrawal in the absence of long-term behavioral effects in adult outbred CFW mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.552033. [PMID: 37609129 PMCID: PMC10441327 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.552033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal opioid exposure is a major health concern in the United States, with the incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) escalating in recent years. NOWS occurs upon cessation of in utero opioid exposure and is characterized by increased irritability, disrupted sleep patterns, high-pitched crying, and dysregulated feeding. The main pharmacological strategy for alleviating symptoms is treatment with replacement opioids. The neural mechanisms mediating NOWS and the long-term neurobehavioral effects are poorly understood. We used a third trimester-approximate model in which neonatal outbred pups (Carworth Farms White; CFW) were administered once-daily morphine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) from postnatal day (P) day 1 through P14 and were then assessed for behavioral and transcriptomic adaptations within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on P15. We also investigated the long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult learning and reward sensitivity. We observed significant weight deficits, spontaneous thermal hyperalgesia, and altered ultrasonic vocalization (USV) profiles following repeated morphine and during spontaneous withdrawal. Transcriptome analysis of NAc from opioid-withdrawn P15 neonates via bulk mRNA sequencing identified an enrichment profile consistent with downregulation of myelin-associated transcripts. Despite the neonatal behavioral and molecular effects, there were no significant long-term effects of perinatal morphine exposure on adult spatial memory function in the Barnes Maze, emotional learning in fear conditioning, or in baseline or methamphetamine-potentiated reward sensitivity as measured via intracranial self-stimulation. Thus, the once daily third trimester-approximate exposure regimen, while inducing NOWS model traits and significant transcriptomic effects in neonates, had no significant long-term effects on adult behaviors. HIGHLIGHTS We replicated some NOWS model traits via 1x-daily morphine (P1-P14).We found a downregulation of myelination genes in nucleus accumbens on P15.There were no effects on learning/memory or reward sensitivity in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn N. Borrelli
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Av, Boston, MA 02215
- Boston University’s Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Kelly K. Wingfield
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
| | - Emily J. Yao
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Catalina A. Zamorano
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Katherine D. Sena
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Boston University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Av, 5 floor, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jacob A. Beierle
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- T32 Biomolecular Pharmacology PhD Program, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
- Boston University’s Transformative Training Program in Addiction Science, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-317, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Michelle A. Roos
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118
| | - Elisha M. Wachman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Pl, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Camron D. Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., L-606B, Boston, MA 02118
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118
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5
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Dunn AD, Robinson SA, Nwokafor C, Estill M, Ferrante J, Shen L, Lemchi CO, Creus-Muncunill J, Ramirez A, Mengaziol J, Brynildsen JK, Leggas M, Horn J, Ehrlich ME, Blendy JA. Molecular and long-term behavioral consequences of neonatal opioid exposure and withdrawal in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1202099. [PMID: 37424750 PMCID: PMC10324024 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1202099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Infants exposed to opioids in utero are at high risk of exhibiting Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), a combination of somatic withdrawal symptoms including high pitched crying, sleeplessness, irritability, gastrointestinal distress, and in the worst cases, seizures. The heterogeneity of in utero opioid exposure, particularly exposure to polypharmacy, makes it difficult to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms that could inform early diagnosis and treatment of NOWS, and challenging to investigate consequences later in life. Methods To address these issues, we developed a mouse model of NOWS that includes gestational and post-natal morphine exposure that encompasses the developmental equivalent of all three human trimesters and assessed both behavior and transcriptome alterations. Results Opioid exposure throughout all three human equivalent trimesters delayed developmental milestones and produced acute withdrawal phenotypes in mice reminiscent of those observed in infants. We also uncovered different patterns of gene expression depending on the duration and timing of opioid exposure (3-trimesters, in utero only, or the last trimester equivalent only). Opioid exposure and subsequent withdrawal affected social behavior and sleep in adulthood in a sex-dependent manner but did not affect adult behaviors related to anxiety, depression, or opioid response. Discussion Despite marked withdrawal and delays in development, long-term deficits in behaviors typically associated with substance use disorders were modest. Remarkably, transcriptomic analysis revealed an enrichment for genes with altered expression in published datasets for Autism Spectrum Disorders, which correlate well with the deficits in social affiliation seen in our model. The number of differentially expressed genes between the NOWS and saline groups varied markedly based on exposure protocol and sex, but common pathways included synapse development, the GABAergic and myelin systems, and mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia D. Dunn
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Shivon A. Robinson
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, United States
| | - Chiso Nwokafor
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Molly Estill
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Julia Ferrante
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Crystal O. Lemchi
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jordi Creus-Muncunill
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Angie Ramirez
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Juliet Mengaziol
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Julia K. Brynildsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark Leggas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jamie Horn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Julie A. Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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6
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Simmons SC, Grecco GG, Atwood BK, Nugent FS. Effects of prenatal opioid exposure on synaptic adaptations and behaviors across development. Neuropharmacology 2023; 222:109312. [PMID: 36334764 PMCID: PMC10314127 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109312] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on prenatal opioid exposure (POE) given the significant concern for the mental health outcomes of children with parents affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) in the view of the current opioid crisis. We highlight some of the less explored interactions between developmental age and sex on synaptic plasticity and associated behavioral outcomes in preclinical POE research. We begin with an overview of the rich literature on hippocampal related behaviors and plasticity across POE exposure paradigms. We then discuss recent work on reward circuit dysregulation following POE. Additional risk factors such as early life stress (ELS) could further influence synaptic and behavioral outcomes of POE. Therefore, we include an overview on the use of preclinical ELS models where ELS exposure during key critical developmental periods confers considerable vulnerability to addiction and stress psychopathology. Here, we hope to highlight the similarity between POE and ELS on development and maintenance of opioid-induced plasticity and altered opioid-related behaviors where similar enduring plasticity in reward circuits may occur. We conclude the review with some of the limitations that should be considered in future investigations. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Opioid-induced addiction'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Simmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Greg G Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fereshteh S Nugent
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Minakova E, Mikati MO, Madasu MK, Conway SM, Baldwin JW, Swift RG, McCullough KB, Dougherty JD, Maloney SE, Al-Hasani R. Perinatal oxycodone exposure causes long-term sex-dependent changes in weight trajectory and sensory processing in adult mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3859-3873. [PMID: 36269379 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE In utero opioid exposure is associated with lower weight and a neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) at birth, along with longer-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and mood disorders. While NOWS is sometimes treated with continued opioids, clinical studies have not addressed if long-term neurobehavioral outcomes are worsened with continued postnatal exposure to opioids. In addition, pre-clinical studies comparing in utero only opioid exposure to continued post-natal opioid administration for withdrawal mitigation are lacking. OBJECTIVES Here, we sought to understand the impact of continued postnatal opioid exposure on long term behavioral consequences. METHODS We implemented a rodent perinatal opioid exposure model of oxycodone (Oxy) exposure that included Oxy exposure until birth (short Oxy) and continued postnatal opioid exposure (long Oxy) spanning gestation through birth and lactation. RESULTS Short Oxy exposure was associated with a sex-specific increase in weight gain trajectory in adult male mice. Long Oxy exposure caused an increased weight gain trajectory in adult males and alterations in nociceptive processing in females. Importantly, there was no evidence of long-term social behavioral deficits, anxiety, hyperactivity, or memory deficits following short or long Oxy exposure. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that offspring with prolonged opioid exposure experienced some long-term sequelae compared to pups with opioid cessation at birth. These results highlight the potential long-term consequences of opioid administration as a mitigation strategy for clinical NOWS symptomology and suggest alternatives should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Minakova
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marwa O Mikati
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8232, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Washington University Pain Management Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Manish K Madasu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Washington University Pain Management Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sineadh M Conway
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Washington University Pain Management Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Justin W Baldwin
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Raylynn G Swift
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8232, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Katherine B McCullough
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8232, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8232, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8232, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA. .,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. .,Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. .,Washington University Pain Management Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. .,Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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8
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Gamble ME, Marfatia R, Diaz MR. Prenatal methadone exposure leads to long‐term memory impairments and disruptions of dentate granule cell function in a sex‐dependent manner. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13215. [DOI: 10.1111/adb.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E. Gamble
- Psychology Department Binghamton University 4000 Vestal Parkway E Binghamton NY 13902 USA
| | - Rhea Marfatia
- Psychology Department Binghamton University 4000 Vestal Parkway E Binghamton NY 13902 USA
| | - Marvin R. Diaz
- Psychology Department Binghamton University 4000 Vestal Parkway E Binghamton NY 13902 USA
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9
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Chen Y, Du M, Kang N, Guan X, Liang B, Chen Z, Zhang J. Prenatal Morphine Exposure Differentially Alters Addictive and Emotional Behavior in Adolescent and Adult Rats in a Sex-Specific Manner. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2317-2332. [PMID: 35661962 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03619-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effects of prenatal opioid exposure in adult animals has been widely studied, but little is known about the effects of prenatal opioid on adolescents. Most of the risk behaviors associated with drug abuse are initiated during adolescence. The developmental state of the adolescent brain makes it vulnerable to initiate drug use and susceptible to drug-induced brain changes. In this study, pregnant rats were subcutaneously injected with an increasing dose of morphine (5 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) for 9 days since the gestation day 11. The effects of prenatal morphine (PNM) on learning and memory, anxiety- and depressive- like behavior, morphine induced conditioned place preference (CPP) as well as locomotor sensitization were tested in both adolescent and adult rats. The results showed that: (1) PNM decreased anxiety-like behavior in both adolescent and adult female rats, but not males; (2) PNM decreased depressive-like behavior in adolescent but increased depressive -like behavior in adult females; (3) PNM increased low dose morphine induced locomotor sensitization in females; (4) PNM decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the prefrontal cortex but decreased dopamine D1 receptor expression in the nucleus-accumbens (NAc) in female rats. These results suggested that PNM altered the emotional and addictive behavior mainly in female rats, with female rats being less anxiety and depressive during adolescence, but more depressive in adult, and more sensitive to low dose morphine induced locomotor activity sensitization, which might be mediated in part by the differential expression of the TH, dopamine D1 receptors in the female brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Chen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Miaomiao Du
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Na Kang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Bixue Liang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhuangfei Chen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jichuan Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, #727 South Jingming Road, 650550, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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10
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Sithisarn T, Legan SJ, Westgate PM, Bada HS, Wilson ME. Understanding the effects of opioids vs non-opioids in the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, an in vitro model. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1068330. [PMID: 36483468 PMCID: PMC9723166 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1068330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to cadre of withdrawal manifestations in infants born to mothers who used illicit and licit substances during pregnancy. The increasing prevalence of NAS has been largely due to the maternal use of opioids during pregnancy. NAS contributes to increased morbidity and long-term disability in surviving infants. Clinically, oral opioid therapies for opioid exposure have been a standard treatment with morphine (MO) being the most commonly used medication. Recently, a non-opioid agent, clonidine (CD) has also been used with potentially favorable short- and long-term outcomes in infants. However, data regarding the cellular and molecular effects of these treatments on the developing brain is still lacking due to a lack of a reliable animal model that targets the neonatal brain. To address this gap in knowledge we determined the effects of MO or CD on the cell death of neonatal cortical explant cultures that were exposed to oxycodone (OXY) in utero. Sprague Dawley rats were randomized and implanted with programmable infusion pumps before mating to receive either the OXY (dose increasing from 1.21-1.90 mg/kg/day to a maximum dose of 2.86-3.49 mg/kg/day) or normal saline (NS) throughout pregnancy and until one week after delivery. Male and female rat pups were sacrificed on postnatal day 4, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HC) were dissected and treated with MO (0.10-1.00 µM) or CD (1.20-120.00 µM) in culture media. After 5 days of treatment the explants were labeled with propidium iodide to detect cell death. Dead cells were analyzed and counted under fluorescence microscopy. In explants from the PFC, cell death was greater in those prenatally exposed to OXY and postnatally treated with MO (OXY/MO) (736.8 ± 76.5) compared to OXY/CD (620.9 ± 75.0; p = 0.005). In the HC explants, mean cell death counts were not significantly different between groups regardless of prenatal exposure or postnatal treatment (p = 0.19). The PFC is vital in controlling higher-order executive functions such as behavioral flexibility, learning and working memory. Therefore, our finding is consistent with executive function problems in children with prenatal opioid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Sandra J Legan
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Henrietta S Bada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
| | - Melinda E Wilson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, United States
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11
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Castro NCF, Silva IS, Cartágenes SC, Fernandes LMP, Ribera PC, Barros MA, Prediger RD, Fontes-Júnior EA, Maia CSF. Morphine Perinatal Exposure Induces Long-Lasting Negative Emotional States in Adult Offspring Rodents. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:pharmaceutics14010029. [PMID: 35056925 PMCID: PMC8778186 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychoactive substances during pregnancy and lactation is a key problem in contemporary society, causing social, economic, and health disturbance. In 2010, about 30 million people used opioid analgesics for non-therapeutic purposes, and the prevalence of opioids use during pregnancy ranged from 1% to 21%, representing a public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the long-lasting neurobehavioral and nociceptive consequences in adult offspring rats and mice exposed to morphine during intrauterine/lactation periods. Pregnant rats and mice were exposed subcutaneously to morphine (10 mg/kg/day) during 42 consecutive days (from the first day of pregnancy until the last day of lactation). Offspring were weighed on post-natal days (PND) 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60, and behavioral tasks (experiment 1) or nociceptive responses (experiment 2) were assessed at 75 days of age (adult life). Morphine-exposed female rats displayed increased spontaneous locomotor activity. More importantly, both males and female rats perinatally exposed to morphine displayed anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Morphine-exposed mice presented alterations in the nociceptive responses on the writhing test. This study showed that sex difference plays a role in pain threshold and that deleterious effects of morphine during pre/perinatal periods are nonrepairable in adulthood, which highlights the long-lasting clinical consequences related to anxiety, depression, and nociceptive disorders in adulthood followed by intrauterine and lactation morphine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nair C. F. Castro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Izabelle S. Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Sabrina C. Cartágenes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Luanna M. P. Fernandes
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas e Fisiológicas, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Universidade Estadual do Pará, Belém 66087-662, Brazil;
| | - Paula C. Ribera
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Mayara A. Barros
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Rui D. Prediger
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil;
| | - Enéas A. Fontes-Júnior
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Cristiane S. F. Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-900, Brazil; (N.C.F.C.); (I.S.S.); (S.C.C.); (P.C.R.); (M.A.B.); (E.A.F.-J.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Vassoler FM, Wimmer ME. Consequences of Parental Opioid Exposure on Neurophysiology, Behavior, and Health in the Next Generations. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:a040436. [PMID: 32601130 PMCID: PMC8485740 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Substance abuse and the ongoing opioid epidemic represents a large societal burden. This review will consider the long-term impact of opioid exposure on future generations. Prenatal, perinatal, and preconception exposure are reviewed with discussion of both maternal and paternal influences. Opioid exposure can have long-lasting effects on reproductive function, gametogenesis, and germline epigenetic programming, which can influence embryogenesis and alter the developmental trajectory of progeny. The potential mechanisms by which preconception maternal and paternal opioid exposure produce deleterious consequences on the health, behavior, and physiology of offspring that have been identified by clinical and animal studies will be discussed. The timing, nature, dosing, and duration of prenatal opioid exposure combined with other important environmental considerations influence the extent to which these manipulations affect parents and their progeny. Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of environmental insults across generations via mechanisms independent of the DNA sequence. This topic will be further explored in the context of prenatal, perinatal, and preconception opioid exposure for both the maternal and paternal lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fair M Vassoler
- Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
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13
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Perinatal Fentanyl Exposure Leads to Long-Lasting Impairments in Somatosensory Circuit Function and Behavior. J Neurosci 2021. [PMID: 33853934 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2470-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One consequence of the opioid epidemic are lasting neurodevelopmental sequelae afflicting adolescents exposed to opioids in the womb. A translationally relevant and developmentally accurate preclinical model is needed to understand the behavioral, circuit, network, and molecular abnormalities resulting from this exposure. By employing a novel preclinical model of perinatal fentanyl exposure, our data reveal that fentanyl has several dose-dependent, developmental consequences to somatosensory function and behavior. Newborn male and female mice exhibit signs of withdrawal and sensory-related deficits that extend at least to adolescence. As fentanyl exposure does not affect dams' health or maternal behavior, these effects result from the direct actions of perinatal fentanyl on the pups' developing brain. At adolescence, exposed mice exhibit reduced adaptation to sensory stimuli, and a corresponding impairment in primary somatosensory (S1) function. In vitro electrophysiology demonstrates a long-lasting reduction in S1 synaptic excitation, evidenced by decreases in release probability, NMDA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents, and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), as well as increased frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). In contrast, anterior cingulate cortical neurons exhibit an opposite phenotype, with increased synaptic excitation. Consistent with these changes, electrocorticograms (ECoGs) reveal suppressed ketamine-evoked γ oscillations. Morphologic analysis of S1 pyramidal neurons indicate reduced dendritic complexity, dendritic length, and soma size. Further, exposed mice exhibited abnormal cortical mRNA expression of key receptors involved in synaptic transmission and neuronal growth and development, changes that were consistent with the electrophysiological and morphologic changes. These findings demonstrate the lasting sequelae of perinatal fentanyl exposure on sensory processing and function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first study to show that exposure to fentanyl in the womb results in behavioral, circuitry, and synaptic effects that last at least to adolescence. We also show, for the first time, that this exposure has different, lasting effects on synapses in different cortical areas.
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14
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Alipio JB, Haga C, Fox ME, Arakawa K, Balaji R, Cramer N, Lobo MK, Keller A. Perinatal Fentanyl Exposure Leads to Long-Lasting Impairments in Somatosensory Circuit Function and Behavior. J Neurosci 2021; 41:3400-3417. [PMID: 33853934 PMCID: PMC8051687 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2470-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One consequence of the opioid epidemic are lasting neurodevelopmental sequelae afflicting adolescents exposed to opioids in the womb. A translationally relevant and developmentally accurate preclinical model is needed to understand the behavioral, circuit, network, and molecular abnormalities resulting from this exposure. By employing a novel preclinical model of perinatal fentanyl exposure, our data reveal that fentanyl has several dose-dependent, developmental consequences to somatosensory function and behavior. Newborn male and female mice exhibit signs of withdrawal and sensory-related deficits that extend at least to adolescence. As fentanyl exposure does not affect dams' health or maternal behavior, these effects result from the direct actions of perinatal fentanyl on the pups' developing brain. At adolescence, exposed mice exhibit reduced adaptation to sensory stimuli, and a corresponding impairment in primary somatosensory (S1) function. In vitro electrophysiology demonstrates a long-lasting reduction in S1 synaptic excitation, evidenced by decreases in release probability, NMDA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents, and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), as well as increased frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). In contrast, anterior cingulate cortical neurons exhibit an opposite phenotype, with increased synaptic excitation. Consistent with these changes, electrocorticograms (ECoGs) reveal suppressed ketamine-evoked γ oscillations. Morphologic analysis of S1 pyramidal neurons indicate reduced dendritic complexity, dendritic length, and soma size. Further, exposed mice exhibited abnormal cortical mRNA expression of key receptors involved in synaptic transmission and neuronal growth and development, changes that were consistent with the electrophysiological and morphologic changes. These findings demonstrate the lasting sequelae of perinatal fentanyl exposure on sensory processing and function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first study to show that exposure to fentanyl in the womb results in behavioral, circuitry, and synaptic effects that last at least to adolescence. We also show, for the first time, that this exposure has different, lasting effects on synapses in different cortical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Alipio
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Catherine Haga
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Keiko Arakawa
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Rakshita Balaji
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Nathan Cramer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Asaf Keller
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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15
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Grecco GG, Mork BE, Huang JY, Metzger CE, Haggerty DL, Reeves KC, Gao Y, Hoffman H, Katner SN, Masters AR, Morris CW, Newell EA, Engleman EA, Baucum AJ, Kim J, Yamamoto BK, Allen MR, Wu YC, Lu HC, Sheets PL, Atwood BK. Prenatal methadone exposure disrupts behavioral development and alters motor neuron intrinsic properties and local circuitry. eLife 2021; 10:66230. [PMID: 33724184 PMCID: PMC7993998 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rising prevalence of methadone treatment in pregnant women with opioid use disorder, the effects of methadone on neurobehavioral development remain unclear. We developed a translational mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME) that resembles the typical pattern of opioid use by pregnant women who first use oxycodone then switch to methadone maintenance pharmacotherapy, and subsequently become pregnant while maintained on methadone. We investigated the effects of PME on physical development, sensorimotor behavior, and motor neuron properties using a multidisciplinary approach of physical, biochemical, and behavioral assessments along with brain slice electrophysiology and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. Methadone accumulated in the placenta and fetal brain, but methadone levels in offspring dropped rapidly at birth which was associated with symptoms and behaviors consistent with neonatal opioid withdrawal. PME produced substantial impairments in offspring physical growth, activity in an open field, and sensorimotor milestone acquisition. Furthermore, these behavioral alterations were associated with reduced neuronal density in the motor cortex and a disruption in motor neuron intrinsic properties and local circuit connectivity. The present study adds to the limited body of work examining PME by providing a comprehensive, translationally relevant characterization of how PME disrupts offspring physical and neurobehavioral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Grecco
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical Scientist Training Program, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Briana E Mork
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Program in Medical Neuroscience, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Jui-Yen Huang
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States.,The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Psychological and Brain Science, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Corinne E Metzger
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - David L Haggerty
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Kaitlin C Reeves
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yong Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Hunter Hoffman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Simon N Katner
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Andrea R Masters
- Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Core-Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Cameron W Morris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Erin A Newell
- Deparment of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Eric A Engleman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Anthony J Baucum
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Jiuen Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Bryan K Yamamoto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Matthew R Allen
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yu-Chien Wu
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Brady K Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
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16
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Abstract
The inheritance of substance abuse, including opioid abuse, may be influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors related to the environment, such as stress and socioeconomic status. These non-genetic influences on the heritability of a trait can be attributed to epigenetics. Epigenetic inheritance can result from modifications passed down from the mother, father, or both, resulting in either maternal, paternal, or parental epigenetic inheritance, respectively. These epigenetic modifications can be passed to the offspring to result in multigenerational, intergenerational, or transgenerational inheritance. Human and animal models of opioid exposure have shown generational effects that result in molecular, developmental, and behavioral alterations in future generations.
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17
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Sivalingam M, Ogawa S, Parhar IS. Habenula kisspeptin retrieves morphine impaired fear memory in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19569. [PMID: 33177592 PMCID: PMC7659006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76287-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The habenula is an evolutionarily conserved brain structure, which has recently been implicated in fear memory. In the zebrafish, kisspeptin (Kiss1) is predominantly expressed in the habenula, which has been implicated as a modulator of fear response. Hence, in the present study, we questioned whether Kiss1 has a role in fear memory and morphine-induced fear memory impairment using an odorant cue (alarm substances, AS)-induced fear avoidance paradigm in adult zebrafish, whereby the fear-conditioned memory can be assessed by a change of basal place preference (= avoidance) of fish due to AS-induced fear experience. Subsequently, to examine the possible role of Kiss1 neurons-serotonergic pathway, kiss1 mRNA and serotonin levels were measured. AS exposure triggered fear episodes and fear-conditioned place avoidance. Morphine treatment followed by AS exposure, significantly impaired fear memory with increased time-spent in AS-paired compartment. However, fish administered with Kiss1 (10–21 mol/fish) after morphine treatment had significantly lower kiss1 mRNA levels but retained fear memory. In addition, the total brain serotonin levels were significantly increased in AS- and Kiss1-treated groups as compared to control and morphine treated group. These results suggest that habenular Kiss1 might be involved in consolidation or retrieval of fear memory through the serotonin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mageswary Sivalingam
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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18
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Prenatal Opioid Exposure Enhances Responsiveness to Future Drug Reward and Alters Sensitivity to Pain: A Review of Preclinical Models and Contributing Mechanisms. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0393-20.2020. [PMID: 33060181 PMCID: PMC7768284 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0393-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid crisis has resulted in an unprecedented number of neonates born with prenatal opioid exposure (POE); however, the long-term effects of POE on offspring behavior and neurodevelopment remain relatively unknown. The advantages and disadvantages of the various preclinical POE models developed over the last several decades are discussed in the context of clinical and translational relevance. Although considerable and important variability exists among preclinical models of POE, the examination of these preclinical models has revealed that opioid exposure during the prenatal period contributes to maladaptive behavioral development as offspring mature including an altered responsiveness to rewarding drugs and increased pain response. The present review summarizes key findings demonstrating the impact of POE on offspring drug self-administration (SA), drug consumption, the reinforcing properties of drugs, drug tolerance, and other reward-related behaviors such as hypersensitivity to pain. Potential underlying molecular mechanisms which may contribute to this enhanced addictive phenotype in POE offspring are further discussed with special attention given to key brain regions associated with reward including the striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), hippocampus, and amygdala. Improvements in preclinical models and further areas of study are also identified which may advance the translational value of findings and help address the growing problem of POE in clinical populations.
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19
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Prenatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine impairs cognitive performance in young adult rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 212:108008. [PMID: 32402939 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns have been raised about the use of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) during pregnancy and negative effects for the offspring. While neonatal outcomes and short-term effects are relatively well described, studies examining long-term effects in adolescents and adults are absent. The aim of the present study was to examine effects on learning and memory in young adult rats prenatally exposed to methadone or buprenorphine. METHODS Female rats were implanted with a 28-day osmotic minipump delivering methadone (10 mg/kg/day), buprenorphine (1 mg/kg/day) or vehicle 5 days prior to mating. To examine possible effects on cognitive functioning, young adult offspring were included in three different behavioral tests that examine recognition memory, nonspatial, and spatial learning and memory. In addition, offspring growth and maternal behavior after birh were investigated. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine caused impaired recognition memory and nonspatial reference learning and memory in young adult rats compared with the vehicle-treated group. Methadone-exposed offspring, but not the buprenorphine-exposed, also showed reduced long-term spatial memory. We did not observe any changes in maternal behavior or offspring growth after prenatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine, suggesting that the impaired cognitive functioning is due to the opioid exposure rather than reduced maternal caregiving. CONCLUSION The present findings of long-term cognitive impairments in methadone- and buprenorphine-exposed offspring points to a negative impact of OMT on neurobiological development.
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Paternal morphine self-administration produces object recognition memory deficits in female, but not male offspring. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1209-1221. [PMID: 31912193 PMCID: PMC7124995 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05450-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Parental drug use around or before conception can have adverse consequences for offspring. Historically, this research has focused on the effects of maternal substance use on future generations but less is known about the influence of the paternal lineage. This study focused on the impact of chronic paternal morphine exposure prior to conception on behavioral outcomes in male and female progeny. OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the impact of paternal morphine self-administration on anxiety-like behavior, the stress response, and memory in male and female offspring. METHODS Adult, drug-naïve male and female progeny of morphine-treated sires and controls were evaluated for anxiety-like behavior using defensive probe burying and novelty-induced hypophagia paradigms. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function was assessed by measuring plasma corticosterone levels following a restraint stressor in male and female progeny. Memory was probed using a battery of tests including object location memory, novel object recognition, and contextual fear conditioning. RESULTS Paternal morphine exposure did not alter anxiety-like behavior or stress-induced HPA axis activation in male or female offspring. Morphine-sired male and female offspring showed intact hippocampus-dependent memory: they performed normally on the long-term fear conditioning and object location memory tests. In contrast, paternal morphine exposure selectively disrupted novel object recognition in female, but not male, progeny. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that paternal morphine taking produces sex-specific and selective impairments in object recognition memory while leaving hippocampal function largely intact.
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Tsai SYA, Bendriem RM, Lee CTD. The cellular basis of fetal endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress in drug-induced neurodevelopmental deficits. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 10:100145. [PMID: 30937351 PMCID: PMC6430408 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal substance exposure is a growing public health concern worldwide. Although the opioid crisis remains one of the most prevalent addiction problems in our society, abuse of cocaine, methamphetamines, and other illicit drugs, particularly amongst pregnant women, are nonetheless significant and widespread. Evidence demonstrates prenatal drug exposure can affect fetal brain development and thus can have long-lasting impact on neurobehavioral and cognitive performance later in life. In this review, we highlight research examining the most prevalent drugs of abuse and their effects on brain development with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress signaling pathways. A thorough exploration of drug-induced cellular stress mechanisms during prenatal brain development may provide insight into therapeutic interventions to combat effects of prenatal drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-Y A Tsai
- Integrative Neuroscience Branch, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Drug Abuse, The National Institute of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Raphael M Bendriem
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Chun-Ting D Lee
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, USA
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Byrnes EM, Vassoler FM. Modeling prenatal opioid exposure in animals: Current findings and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:1-13. [PMID: 28965857 PMCID: PMC5649358 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen a drastic rise in the number of infants exposed to opioids in utero. It is unclear what lasting effect this exposure may have on these children. Animal models of prenatal opioid exposure may provide insight into potential areas of vulnerability. The present review summarizes the findings across animal models of prenatal opioid exposure, including exposure to morphine, methadone, buprenorphine, and oxycodone. Details regarding the drug, doses, and duration of treatment, as well as key findings, are summarized in tables with associated references. Finally, significant gaps in the current preclinical literature and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Byrnes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States.
| | - Fair M Vassoler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States
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Ahmadalipour A, Ghodrati-Jaldbakhan S, Samaei SA, Rashidy-Pour A. Deleterious effects of prenatal exposure to morphine on the spatial learning and hippocampal BDNF and long-term potentiation in juvenile rats: Beneficial influences of postnatal treadmill exercise and enriched environment. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 147:54-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-eighth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2015 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Sithisarn T, Legan SJ, Westgate PM, Wilson M, Wellmann K, Bada HS, Barron S. The Effects of Perinatal Oxycodone Exposure on Behavioral Outcome in a Rodent Model. Front Pediatr 2017; 5:180. [PMID: 28971091 PMCID: PMC5609564 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Opiate addiction is now a major public health problem. Perinatal insults and exposure to opiates such as morphine in utero are well known to affect development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the offspring adversely and are associated with a higher risk of developing neurobehavioral problems. Oxycodone is now one of the most frequently abused pain killers during pregnancy; however, limited data are available regarding whether and how perinatal oxycodone exposure (POE) alters neurobehavioral outcomes of the offspring. We demonstrated that exposure to 0.5 mg/kg/day oxycodone in utero was associated with hyperactivity in adult rats in an open field. No significant effects of POE were detected on isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the early postnatal period or on learning and memory in the water maze in adult offspring. Our findings are consistent with hyperactivity problems identified in children exposed to opiates in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitinart Sithisarn
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sandra J Legan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Melinda Wilson
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Kristen Wellmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Henrietta S Bada
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Susan Barron
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Shen YL, Chen ST, Chan TY, Hung TW, Tao PL, Liao RM, Chan MH, Chen HH. Delayed extinction and stronger drug-primed reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in rats prenatally exposed to morphine. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 128:56-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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André MAE, Manahan-Vaughan D. Involvement of Dopamine D1/D5 and D2 Receptors in Context-Dependent Extinction Learning and Memory Reinstatement. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 9:372. [PMID: 26834599 PMCID: PMC4720788 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine contributes to the regulation of higher order information processing and executive control. It is important for memory consolidation processes, and for the adaptation of learned responses based on experience. In line with this, under aversive learning conditions, application of dopamine receptor antagonists prior to extinction result in enhanced memory reinstatement. Here, we investigated the contribution of the dopaminergic system to extinction and memory reinstatement (renewal) of an appetitive spatial learning task in rodents. Rats were trained for 3 days in a T-maze (context "A") to associate a goal arm with a food reward, despite low reward probability (acquisition phase). On day 4, extinction learning (unrewarded) occurred, that was reinforced by a context change ("B"). On day 5, re-exposure to the (unrewarded) "A" context took place (renewal of context "A", followed by extinction of context "A"). In control animals, significant extinction occurred on day 4, that was followed by an initial memory reinstatement (renewal) on day 5, that was, in turn, succeeded by extinction of renewal. Intracerebral treatment with a D1/D5-receptor antagonist prior to the extinction trials, elicited a potent enhancement of extinction in context "B". By contrast, a D1/D5-agonist impaired renewal in context "A". Extinction in the "A" context on day 5 was unaffected by the D1/D5-ligands. Treatment with a D2-receptor antagonist prior to extinction had no overall effect on extinction in context "B" or renewal in context "A", although extinction of the renewal effect was impaired on day 5, compared to controls. Taken together, these data suggest that dopamine acting on the D1/D5-receptor modulates both acquisition and consolidation of context-dependent extinction. By contrast, the D2-receptor may contribute to context-independent aspects of this kind of extinction learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Agnès Emma André
- Medical Faculty, Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University BochumBochum, Germany; International Graduate School for Neuroscience, Ruhr University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Denise Manahan-Vaughan
- Medical Faculty, Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University BochumBochum, Germany; International Graduate School for Neuroscience, Ruhr University BochumBochum, Germany
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Shang S, Wang C, Guo C, Huang X, Wang L, Zhang C. The formation and extinction of fear memory in tree shrews. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:204. [PMID: 26283941 PMCID: PMC4518201 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear is an emotion that is well-studied due to its importance for animal survival. Experimental animals, such as rats and mice, have been widely used to model fear. However, higher animals such as nonhuman primates have rarely been used to study fear due to ethical issues and high costs. Tree shrews are small mammals that are closely related to primates; they have been used to model human-related psychosocial conditions such as stress and alcohol tolerance. Here, we describe an experimental paradigm to study the formation and extinction of fear memory in tree shrews. We designed an experimental apparatus of a light/dark box with a voltage foot shock. We found that tree shrews preferred staying in the dark box in the daytime without stimulation and showed avoidance to voltage shocks applied to the footplate in a voltage-dependent manner. Foot shocks applied to the dark box for 5 days (10 min per day) effectively reversed the light–dark preference of the tree shrews, and this memory lasted for more than 50 days without any sign of memory decay (extinction) in the absence of further stimulation. However, this fear memory was reversed with 4 days of reverse training by applying the same stimulus to the light box. When reducing the stimulus intensity during the training period, a memory extinction and subsequently reinstatement effects were observed. Thus, our results describe an efficient method of monitoring fear memory formation and extinction in tree shrews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujiang Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University Beijing, China ; Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University Hefei, China
| | - Cong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University Beijing, China ; Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University Hefei, China
| | - Chengbing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University Beijing, China ; Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University Hefei, China
| | - Xu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University Beijing, China ; Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University Hefei, China
| | - Liecheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical University Hefei, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University Beijing, China
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Ahmadalipour A, Sadeghzadeh J, Vafaei AA, Bandegi AR, Mohammadkhani R, Rashidy-Pour A. Effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral deficits and alterations in hippocampal BDNF induced by prenatal exposure to morphine in juvenile rats. Neuroscience 2015; 305:372-83. [PMID: 26272536 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal morphine exposure throughout pregnancy can induce a series of neurobehavioral and neurochemical disturbances by affecting central nervous system development. This study was designed to investigate the effects of an enriched environment on behavioral deficits and changes in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by prenatal morphine in rats. On pregnancy days 11-18, female Wistar rats were randomly injected twice daily with saline or morphine. Offspring were weaned on postnatal day (PND) 21. They were subjected to a standard rearing environment or an enriched environment on PNDs 22-50. On PNDs 51-57, the behavioral responses including anxiety and depression-like behaviors, and passive avoidance memory as well as hippocampal BDNF levels were investigated. The light/dark (L/D) box and elevated plus maze (EPM) were used for the study of anxiety, forced swimming test (FST) was used to assess depression-like behavior and passive avoidance task was used to evaluate learning and memory. Prenatal morphine exposure caused a reduction in time spent in the EPM open arms and a reduction in time spent in the lit side of the L/D box. It also decreased step-through latency and increased time spent in the dark side of passive avoidance task. Prenatal morphine exposure also reduced immobility time and increased swimming time in FST. Postnatal rearing in an enriched environment counteracted with behavioral deficits in the EPM and passive avoidance task, but not in the L/D box. This suggests that exposure to an enriched environment during adolescence period alters anxiety profile in a task-specific manner. Prenatal morphine exposure reduced hippocampal BDNF levels, but enriched environment significantly increased BDNF levels in both saline- and morphine-exposed groups. Our results demonstrate that exposure to an enriched environment alleviates behavioral deficits induced by prenatal morphine exposure and up-regulates the decreased levels of BDNF. BDNF may contribute to the beneficial effects of an enriched environment on prenatal morphine-exposed to rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmadalipour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran; Student's Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - J Sadeghzadeh
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran; Student's Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - A A Vafaei
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran
| | - A R Bandegi
- Laboratory of Endocrine Research, Research Center of Physiology and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - R Mohammadkhani
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran
| | - A Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, 15131-38111 Semnan, Iran.
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André MAE, Wolf OT, Manahan-Vaughan D. Beta-adrenergic receptors support attention to extinction learning that occurs in the absence, but not the presence, of a context change. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:125. [PMID: 26074793 PMCID: PMC4444826 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The noradrenergic (NA)-system is an important regulator of cognitive function. It contributes to extinction learning (EL), and in disorders where EL is impaired NA-dysfunction has been postulated. We explored whether NA acting on beta-adrenergic-receptors (β-AR), regulates EL that depends on context, but is not fear-associated. We assessed behavior in an "AAA" or "ABA" paradigm: rats were trained for 3 days in a T-maze (context-A) to learn that a reward is consistently found in the goal arm, despite low reward probability. This was followed on day 4 by EL (unrewarded), whereby in the ABA-paradigm, EL was reinforced by a context change (B), and in the AAA-paradigm, no context change occurred. On day 5, re-exposure to the A-context (unrewarded) occurred. Typically, in control "AAA" animals EL occurred on day 4 that progressed further on day 5. In control "ABA" animals, EL also occurred on day 4, followed by renewal of the previously learned (A) behavior on day 5, that was succeeded (on day 5) by extinction of this behavior, as the animals realised that no food reward would be given. Treatment with the β-AR-antagonist, propranolol, prior to EL on day 4, impaired EL in the AAA-paradigm. In the "ABA" paradigm, antagonist treatment on day 4, had no effect on extinction that was reinforced by a context change (B). Furthermore, β-AR-antagonism prior to renewal testing (on day 5) in the ABA-paradigm, resulted in normal renewal behavior, although subsequent extinction of responses during day 5 was prevented by the antagonist. Thus, under both treatment conditions, β-AR-antagonism prevented extinction of the behavior learned in the "A" context. β-AR-blockade during an overt context change did not prevent EL, whereas β-AR were required for EL in an unchanging context. These data suggest that β-AR may support EL by reinforcing attention towards relevant changes in the previously learned experience, and that this process supports extinction learning in constant-context conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- International Graduate School for Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany ; Faculty of Psychology, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Denise Manahan-Vaughan
- International Graduate School for Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany ; Medical Faculty, Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
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Muhie S, Gautam A, Meyerhoff J, Chakraborty N, Hammamieh R, Jett M. Brain transcriptome profiles in mouse model simulating features of post-traumatic stress disorder. Mol Brain 2015; 8:14. [PMID: 25888136 PMCID: PMC4359441 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Social-stress mouse model, based on the resident-intruder paradigm was used to simulate features of human post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The model involved exposure of an intruder (subject) mouse to a resident aggressor mouse followed by exposure to trauma reminders with rest periods. C57BL/6 mice exposed to SJL aggressor mice exhibited behaviors suggested as PTSD-in-mouse phenotypes: intermittent freezing, reduced locomotion, avoidance of the aggressor-associated cue and apparent startled jumping. Brain tissues (amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, septal region, corpus striatum and ventral striatum) from subject (aggressor exposed: Agg-E) and control C57BL/6 mice were collected at one, 10 and 42 days post aggressor exposure sessions. Transcripts in these brain regions were assayed using Agilent’s mouse genome-wide arrays. Results Pathways and biological processes associated with differentially regulated genes were mainly those thought to be involved in fear-related behavioral responses and neuronal signaling. Expression-based assessments of activation patterns showed increased activations of pathways related to anxiety disorders (hyperactivity and fear responses), impaired cognition, mood disorders, circadian rhythm disruption, and impaired territorial and aggressive behaviors. In amygdala, activations of these pathways were more pronounced at earlier time-points, with some attenuation after longer rest periods. In hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex, activation patterns were observed at later time points. Signaling pathways associated with PTSD-comorbid conditions, such as diabetes, metabolic disorder, inflammation and cardiac infarction, were also significantly enriched. In contrast, signaling processes related to neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity were inhibited. Conclusions Our data suggests activations of behavioral responses associated with anxiety disorders as well as inhibition of neuronal signaling pathways important for neurogenesis, cognition and extinction of fear memory. These pathways along with comorbid-related signaling pathways indicate the pervasive and multisystem effects of aggressor exposure in mice, potentially mirroring the pathologic conditions of PTSD patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0104-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seid Muhie
- Advanced Biomedical Computing Center, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA. .,Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
| | - Aarti Gautam
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
| | - James Meyerhoff
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
| | - Nabarun Chakraborty
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
| | - Rasha Hammamieh
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
| | - Marti Jett
- Integrative Systems Biology Program, U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research, 568 Doughten Drive, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702-5010, USA.
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