1
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Wang CL, Cao DN, Wu N, Zhu YJ, Li J. The secondary visual cortex mediated the enhancement of associative learning on methamphetamine self-administration behaviors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06597-7. [PMID: 38702472 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Methamphetamine addiction is a persistent and intractable pathological learning and memory, whereas no approved therapeutics is available. However, few attentions have been paid to how associative learning participates in the formation of intractable memory related to drug addiction OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: To investigate the role of associative learning in methamphetamine addiction and the underlying neurobiological mechanism, methamphetamine self-administration, oral sucrose self-administration, chemogenetic neuromanipulation, and fiber photometry in mice were performed in this study. RESULTS We reported that associative learning increased methamphetamine-induced self-administration, but not oral sucrose self-administration. In addition, the enhancement of methamphetamine-induced self-administration was independent of more methamphetamine consumption, and remained with higher drug-taking and motivation in the absence of visual cues, suggesting the direct effects of the associative learning that enhanced methamphetamine-induced self-administration. Moreover, chemogenetic inactivation of the secondary visual cortex (V2) reduced the enhancement of the drug-taking induced by associative learning but did not alter sucrose-taking. Further fiber photometry of V2 neurons demonstrated that methamphetamine-associative learning elicits V2 neuron excitation, and sucrose-associative learning elicits V2 neuron inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, this study reveals the neurobiological mechanism of V2 excitability underlying how associative learning participates in the formation of intractable memory related to drug addiction, and gives evidence to support V2 as a promising target for stimulation therapy for methamphetamine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ling Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Dan-Ni Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
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2
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Huang Z, Wei X, Tian J, Fu Y, Dong J, Wang Y, Shi J, Lu L, Zhang W. A disinhibitory microcircuit of the orbitofrontal cortex mediates cocaine preference in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02579-5. [PMID: 38698268 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02579-5] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Both clinical and animal studies showed that the impaired functions of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) underlie the compulsive drug-seeking behavior of drug addiction. However, the functional changes of the microcircuit in the OFC and the underlying molecular mechanisms in drug addiction remain elusive, and little is known for whether microcircuits in the OFC contributed to drug addiction-related behaviors. Utilizing the cocaine-induced conditioned-place preference model, we found that the malfunction of the microcircuit led to disinhibition in the OFC after cocaine withdrawal. We further showed that enhanced Somatostatin-Parvalbumin (SST-PV) inhibitory synapse strength changed microcircuit function, and SST and PV inhibitory neurons showed opposite contributions to the drug addiction-related behavior of mice. Brevican of the perineuronal nets of PV neurons regulated SST-PV synapse strength, and the knockdown of Brevican alleviated cocaine preference. These results reveal a novel molecular mechanism of the regulation of microcircuit function and a novel circuit mechanism of the OFC in gating cocaine preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziran Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wei
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jing Tian
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yangxue Fu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jihui Dong
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yihui Wang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital); Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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3
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Robbins TW, Banca P, Belin D. From compulsivity to compulsion: the neural basis of compulsive disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:313-333. [PMID: 38594324 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00807-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Compulsive behaviour, an apparently irrational perseveration in often maladaptive acts, is a potential transdiagnostic symptom of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction, and may reflect the severe manifestation of a dimensional trait termed compulsivity. In this Review, we examine the psychological basis of compulsions and compulsivity and their underlying neural circuitry using evidence from human neuroimaging and animal models. Several main elements of this circuitry are identified, focused on fronto-striatal systems implicated in goal-directed behaviour and habits. These systems include the orbitofrontal, prefrontal, anterior cingulate and insular cortices and their connections with the basal ganglia as well as sensoriomotor and parietal cortices and cerebellum. We also consider the implications for future classification of impulsive-compulsive disorders and their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Robbins
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Paula Banca
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Belin
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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4
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Zhang L, Meng S, Huang E, Di T, Ding Z, Huang S, Chen W, Zhang J, Zhao S, Yuwen T, Chen Y, Xue Y, Wang F, Shi J, Shi Y. High frequency deep brain stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus prevents methamphetamine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking in rats. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:190. [PMID: 38622130 PMCID: PMC11018621 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02895-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction represents a multifaceted and recurrent brain disorder that possesses the capability to create persistent and ineradicable pathological memory. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown a therapeutic potential for neuropsychological disorders, while the precise stimulation targets and therapeutic parameters for addiction remain deficient. Among the crucial brain regions implicated in drug addiction, the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) has been found to exert an essential role in the manifestation of addiction memory. Thus, we investigated the effects of DRN DBS in the treatment of addiction and whether it might produce side effects by a series of behavioral assessments, including methamphetamine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking behaviors, food-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), open field test and elevated plus-maze test, and examined brain activity and connectivity after DBS of DRN. We found that high-frequency DBS of the DRN significantly lowered the CPP scores and the number of active-nosepokes in the methamphetamine-primed CPP test and the self-administration model. Moreover, both high-frequency and sham DBS group rats were able to establish significant food-induced place preference, and no significant difference was observed in the open field test and in the elevated plus-maze test between the two groups. Immunofluorescence staining and functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that high-frequency DBS of the DRN could alter the activity and functional connectivity of brain regions related to addiction. These results indicate that high-frequency DBS of the DRN effectively inhibits methamphetamine priming-induced relapse and seeking behaviors in rats and provides a new target for the treatment of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication Safety, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Clinical Application of Medical Imaging, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqiu Meng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Enze Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianqi Di
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zengbo Ding
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shihao Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shenghong Zhao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Yuwen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication Safety, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Clinical Application of Medical Imaging, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication Safety, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Clinical Application of Medical Imaging, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Prevention and Treatment of Mental Disorder, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Yu Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication Safety, Shenzhen Public Service Platform for Clinical Application of Medical Imaging, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.
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5
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Shen D, Chang L, Su F, Huang S, Xu H, Si Y, Wang F, Xue Y. The gut microbiome modulates the susceptibility to traumatic stress in a sex-dependent manner. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25315. [PMID: 38439584 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25315] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychological condition triggered by exposure to extreme or chronic stressful events, exhibits a sex bias in incidence and clinical manifestations. Emerging research implicates the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of PTSD and its roles in stress susceptibility. However, it is unclear whether differential gut microbiota contribute to PTSD susceptibility in male and female rats. Here, we utilized the single prolonged stress animal model and employed unsupervised machine learning to classify stressed animals into stress-susceptible subgroups and stress-resilient subgroups. Subsequently, using 16S V3-V4 rDNA sequencing, we investigated the differential gut microbiota alterations between susceptible and resilient individuals in male and female rats. Our findings revealed distinct changes in gut microbiota composition between the sexes at different taxonomic levels. Furthermore, the abundance of Parabacteroides was lower in rats that underwent SPS modeling compared to the control group. In addition, the abundance of Tenericutes in the stress-susceptible subgroup was higher than that in the control group and stress-resilient subgroup, suggesting that Tenericutes may be able to characterize stress susceptibility. What is particularly interesting here is that Cyanobacteria may be particularly associated with anti-anxiety effects in male rats. This study underscores sex-specific variations in gut microbiota composition in response to stress and sex differences should be taken into account when using macrobiotics for neuropsychiatric treatment, highlighting potential targets for PTSD therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shen
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Liang Chang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Feng Su
- College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shihao Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hubo Xu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Si
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yanxue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
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6
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Braine A, Georges F. Emotion in action: When emotions meet motor circuits. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 155:105475. [PMID: 37996047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The brain is a remarkably complex organ responsible for a wide range of functions, including the modulation of emotional states and movement. Neuronal circuits are believed to play a crucial role in integrating sensory, cognitive, and emotional information to ultimately guide motor behavior. Over the years, numerous studies employing diverse techniques such as electrophysiology, imaging, and optogenetics have revealed a complex network of neural circuits involved in the regulation of emotional or motor processes. Emotions can exert a substantial influence on motor performance, encompassing both everyday activities and pathological conditions. The aim of this review is to explore how emotional states can shape movements by connecting the neural circuits for emotional processing to motor neural circuits. We first provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of different emotional states on motor control in humans and rodents. In line with behavioral studies, we set out to identify emotion-related structures capable of modulating motor output, behaviorally and anatomically. Neuronal circuits involved in emotional processing are extensively connected to the motor system. These circuits can drive emotional behavior, essential for survival, but can also continuously shape ongoing movement. In summary, the investigation of the intricate relationship between emotion and movement offers valuable insights into human behavior, including opportunities to enhance performance, and holds promise for improving mental and physical health. This review integrates findings from multiple scientific approaches, including anatomical tracing, circuit-based dissection, and behavioral studies, conducted in both animal and human subjects. By incorporating these different methodologies, we aim to present a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the emotional modulation of movement in both physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaelle Braine
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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7
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Zhang Y, Zhong X, Shao Y, Gong J. Insula Connectivity Abnormalities Predict Impulsivity in Chronic Heroin Use Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Resting-State fMRI Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1508. [PMID: 38002468 PMCID: PMC10669645 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with heroin use disorder (HUD) often exhibit trait impulsivity, which may be an important factor in and a good predictor of addiction. However, the factor structure of HUD trait impulsivity (motor, attentional, and nonplanning) and its neural correlates are not yet known. A total of 24 male volunteers with HUD and 16 healthy control volunteers were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) were employed using the insula as a seed point in an effort to understand the association between trait impulsivity and its intrinsic factors and functional connectivity (FC) between the insula and the whole brain. The HUD group in this study exhibited higher total trait impulsivity scores, motor impulsivity, and nonplanning impulsivity than the control group. Changes in FC between the right insula and the lateral occipital cortex and the right angular gyrus were significantly positively correlated with total trait impulsivity scores, motor impulsivity, and nonplanning impulsivity, whereas changes in the FC between the left insula and the left superior frontal gyrus and left frontopolar brain region were significantly negatively correlated with trait impulsivity. Thus, the insula may serve as an important biomarker for identifying trait impulsivity and its intrinsic factor structure in patients with HUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Aviation Psychology, Air Force Medical Center, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing 100142, China;
| | - Xiao Zhong
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China;
| | - Yongcong Shao
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China;
| | - Jingjing Gong
- School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China;
- Department of Medical Psychology, Second Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
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8
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McGregor MS, LaLumiere RT. Still a "hidden island"? The rodent insular cortex in drug seeking, reward, and risk. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105334. [PMID: 37524140 PMCID: PMC10592220 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The insular cortex (IC) is implicated in risky decision making and drug-seeking behaviors, in a manner dissociable from natural reward seeking. However, evidence from rodent studies of motivated behaviors suggests that the role of the IC is not always consistent across procedures. Moreover, there is evidence of dissociation of function between posterior (pIC) and anterior (aIC) subregions in these behaviors. Under which circumstances, and by which mechanisms, these IC subregions are recruited to regulate motivated behaviors remains unclear. Here, we discuss evidence of rodent pIC and aIC function across drug-related behaviors, natural reward seeking, and decision making under risk and highlight procedural differences that may account for seemingly conflicting findings. Although gaps in the literature persist, we hypothesize that IC activity is broadly important for selection of appropriate behaviors based on learned action-outcome contingencies and that associated risk is sufficient, but not necessary, to recruit the aIC in reward seeking without involving the pIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S McGregor
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Ryan T LaLumiere
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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9
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Passeri A, Municchi D, Cavalieri G, Babicola L, Ventura R, Di Segni M. Linking drug and food addiction: an overview of the shared neural circuits and behavioral phenotype. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1240748. [PMID: 37767338 PMCID: PMC10520727 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1240748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a lack of agreement on its definition and inclusion as a specific diagnosable disturbance, the food addiction construct is supported by several neurobiological and behavioral clinical and preclinical findings. Recognizing food addiction is critical to understanding how and why it manifests. In this overview, we focused on those as follows: 1. the hyperpalatable food effects in food addiction development; 2. specific brain regions involved in both food and drug addiction; and 3. animal models highlighting commonalities between substance use disorders and food addiction. Although results collected through animal studies emerged from protocols differing in several ways, they clearly highlight commonalities in behavioral manifestations and neurobiological alterations between substance use disorders and food addiction characteristics. To develop improved food addiction models, this heterogeneity should be acknowledged and embraced so that research can systematically investigate the role of specific variables in the development of the different behavioral features of addiction-like behavior in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Passeri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Municchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cavalieri
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Ventura
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Segni
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology and Center “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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10
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Conti AA, Baldacchino AM. Early-onset smoking theory of compulsivity development: a neurocognitive model for the development of compulsive tobacco smoking. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1209277. [PMID: 37520221 PMCID: PMC10372444 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1209277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the literature, individuals who start tobacco smoking during adolescence are at greater risk of developing severe tobacco addiction and heavier smoking behavior in comparison with individuals who uptake tobacco smoking during subsequent developmental stages. As suggested by animal models, this may be related to the unique neuroadaptive and neurotoxic effects of nicotine on adolescents' fronto-striatal brain regions modulating cognitive control and impulsivity. Previous research has proposed that these neuroadaptive and neurotoxic effects may cause a heightened reward-oriented impulsive behavior that may foster smoking relapses during quit attempts. However, developments in the field of addiction neuroscience have proposed drug addiction to represent a type of compulsive behavior characterized by the persistent use of a particular drug despite evident adverse consequences. One brain region that has received increased attention in recent years and that has been proposed to play a central role in modulating such compulsive drug-seeking and using behavior is the insular cortex. Lesion studies have shown that structural damages in the insular cortex may disrupt smoking behavior, while neuroimaging studies reported lower gray matter volume in the anterior insular cortex of chronic smokers compared with non-smokers, in addition to correlations between gray matter volume in the anterior insular cortex and measures of compulsive cigarette smoking. Based on the findings of our recent study reporting on early-onset smokers (mean age at regular smoking initiation = 13.2 years) displaying lower gray matter and white matter volume in the anterior insular cortex compared to late-onset smokers (mean age at regular smoking initiation = 18.0 years), we propose that the anterior insular cortex may play a central role in mediating the association between smoking uptake during adolescence and smoking heaviness/tobacco addiction during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Alberto Conti
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Population and Behavioral Science, University of St Andrews School of Medicine, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Mario Baldacchino
- Division of Population and Behavioral Science, University of St Andrews School of Medicine, St Andrews, United Kingdom
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11
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Cushnie AK, Tang W, Heilbronner SR. Connecting Circuits with Networks in Addiction Neuroscience: A Salience Network Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109083. [PMID: 37240428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neuroimaging has demonstrated the existence of large-scale functional networks in the cerebral cortex consisting of topographically distant brain regions with functionally correlated activity. The salience network (SN), which is involved in detecting salient stimuli and mediating inter-network communication, is a crucial functional network that is disrupted in addiction. Individuals with addiction display dysfunctional structural and functional connectivity of the SN. Furthermore, while there is a growing body of evidence regarding the SN, addiction, and the relationship between the two, there are still many unknowns, and there are fundamental limitations to human neuroimaging studies. At the same time, advances in molecular and systems neuroscience techniques allow researchers to manipulate neural circuits in nonhuman animals with increasing precision. Here, we describe attempts to translate human functional networks to nonhuman animals to uncover circuit-level mechanisms. To do this, we review the structural and functional connections of the salience network and its homology across species. We then describe the existing literature in which circuit-specific perturbation of the SN sheds light on how functional cortical networks operate, both within and outside the context of addiction. Finally, we highlight key outstanding opportunities for mechanistic studies of the SN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana K Cushnie
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2-164 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Tang
- Department of Computer Science, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
| | - Sarah R Heilbronner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2-164 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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