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Wei T, Li JD, Wang YJ, Zhao W, Duan F, Wang Y, Xia LL, Jiang ZB, Song X, Zhu YQ, Shao WY, Wang Z, Bi KS, Li H, Zhang XC, Jiao DL. p-Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway Involved in Methamphetamine-induced Executive Dysfunction through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in the Dorsal Striatum. Neurotox Res 2023; 41:446-458. [PMID: 37199892 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-023-00650-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is known to cause executive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism underlying METH induced executive dysfunction remains unclear. Go/NoGo experiment was performed in mice to evaluate METH-induced executive dysfunction. Immunoblot analysis of Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Glucose Regulated Protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase3 was performed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum (Dstr). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was conducted to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. TUNEL staining was conducted to detect apoptotic neurons. The animal Go/NoGo testing confirmed that METH abuse impaired the inhibitory control ability of executive function. Meanwhile, METH down-regulated the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1 and GSH-Px and activated ER stress and apoptosis in the Dstr. Microinjection of Tert-butylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ), an Nrf2 agonist, into the Dstr increased the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1, and GSH-Px, ameliorated ER stress, apoptosis and executive dysfunction caused by METH. Our results indicated that the p-Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was potentially involved in mediating methamphetamine-induced executive dysfunction by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wei
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
- Huainan First People's Hospital, Huainan, 232007, Anhui, China
| | - Jun-Da Li
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Jing Wang
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Fan Duan
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Ling-Ling Xia
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Zhao-Bin Jiang
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Xun Song
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Qiong Zhu
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Yi Shao
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Ze Wang
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Kang-Sheng Bi
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Chu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
| | - Dong-Liang Jiao
- School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China.
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Jayanthi S, Daiwile AP, Cadet JL. Neurotoxicity of methamphetamine: Main effects and mechanisms. Exp Neurol 2021; 344:113795. [PMID: 34186102 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit psychostimulant that is abused throughout the world. METH addiction is also a major public health concern and the abuse of large doses of the drug is often associated with serious neuropsychiatric consequences that may include agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis. Some human methamphetamine users can also suffer from attention, memory, and executive deficits. METH-associated neurological and psychiatric complications might be related, in part, to METH-induced neurotoxic effects. Those include altered dopaminergic and serotonergic functions, neuronal apoptosis, astrocytosis, and microgliosis. Here we have endeavored to discuss some of the main effects of the drug and have presented the evidence supporting certain of the molecular and cellular bases of METH neurotoxicity. The accumulated evidence suggests the involvement of transcription factors, activation of dealth pathways that emanate from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and a role for neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Understanding the molecular processes involved in METH induced neurotoxicity should help in developing better therapeutic approaches that might also serve to attenuate or block the biological consequences of use of large doses of the drug by some humans who meet criteria for METH use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Atul P Daiwile
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America.
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Subu R, Jayanthi S, Cadet JL. Compulsive methamphetamine taking induces autophagic and apoptotic markers in the rat dorsal striatum. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3515-3526. [PMID: 32676729 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02844-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder (MUD) is often accompanied by psychotic symptoms, cognitive deficits, and pathological changes in the brains of users. Animals that experimenters injected with drugs also show neurodegenerative changes in their brains. Recently, we have been investigating METH-induced molecular and biochemical consequences in animals that had infused themselves with METH using the drug self-administration (SA) paradigm. In that model, footshocks administered contingently help to separate rats that had already escalated their METH intake into resilient-to-drug (shock-sensitive, SS) or compulsive (shock-resistant, SR) METH takers. Herein, we used that model to test the idea that compulsive METH takers might show evidence of drug-induced autophagic changes in their brains. There were significant increases in mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes including Atg2a, Atg5, Atg14, and Atg16L1 in the rat dorsal striatum. Levels of two autophagy biomarkers, autophagy activating kinase (ULK1) and phospho-Beclin1, were also increased. In addition, we found increased p53 but decreased Bcl-2 protein levels. Moreover, the expression of cleaved initiator caspase-9 and effector caspase-6 was higher in compulsive METH takers in comparison to shock-sensitive rats. When taken together, these results suggest that the striata of rats that had escalated and continue to take METH compulsively the presence of adverse consequences exhibit some pathological changes similar to those reported in post-mortem human striatal tissues. These results provide supporting evidence that compulsive METH taking is neurotoxic. Our observations also support the notion of developing neuro-regenerative agents to add to the therapeutic armamentarium against METH addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Subu
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Gutierrez A, Regan SL, Hoover CS, Williams MT, Vorhees CV. Effects of intrastriatal dopamine D1 or D2 antagonists on methamphetamine-induced egocentric and allocentric learning and memory deficits in Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2243-58. [PMID: 30919007 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05221-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Methamphetamine (MA) is an abused psychostimulant that causes cognitive deficits after chronic use. Neostriatal dopamine receptors play a role in MA monoamine neurotoxicity. Blocking dopamine receptors prior to MA exposure in adult rats attenuates monoamine reductions and reactive gliosis. OBJECTIVES We tested whether blocking dopamine receptors protects against cognitive deficits. METHODS First, we determined the effects of MA alone versus MA in combination with the dopamine receptor D1 antagonist SCH-23390 or the dopamine receptor D2 antagonist sulpiride on cFos expression and monoamines at the age when rats in the cognitive experiment were to begin testing and monoamines in rats after cognitive testing. RESULTS SCH-23390 infused into the neostriatum prior to systemic administration of MA attenuated MA-induced cFos activation while sulpiride induced cFos activation. Two weeks after MA, rats had dopamine and serotonin reductions that were attenuated by each antagonist. Other rats treated the same way, were tested for egocentric learning and memory in the Cincinnati water maze, for navigational strategy in a star water maze, and spatial learning and memory in a Morris water maze. Pre-treatment with SCH-23390 or sulpiride attenuated the effects of MA on egocentric and spatial learning and memory. MA-treated rats showed a shift from an egocentric to a disorganized strategy in the star maze that was less disorganized in groups receiving MA and an antagonist. Post-behavior monoamine reductions remained but were attenuated by the antagonists but not identically to what was seen in rats not behaviorally tested. CONCLUSIONS The results show for the first time that dopamine receptors are mediators of MA-induced cognitive deficits.
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Gutierrez A, Williams MT, Vorhees CV. A Single High Dose of Methamphetamine Reduces Monoamines and Impairs Egocentric and Allocentric Learning and Memory in Adult Male Rats. Neurotox Res 2018; 33:671-80. [PMID: 29427284 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) alters dopamine markers and cognitive function in heavy users. In rodents, there are MA dosing regimens that induce concordant effects using repeated administration at spaced intervals. These regimens are effective but complicate experiments designed to disentangle the effects of the drug on different brain regions in relation to their cognitive effects because of treatment spacing. In an effort to simplify the model, we tested whether a single dose of MA could induce the same monoamine and cognitive effects as multiple, spaced dosing without affecting survival. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 40 mg/kg MA subcutaneously once and tested starting 2 weeks later. MA-treated rats showed deficits in egocentric navigation in Cincinnati water maze, in spatial navigation in the Morris water maze, and in choosing a consistent problem-solving strategy in the Star water maze when given the option to show a preference. MA-treated rats had persistent dopamine and serotonin reductions in the neostriatum and nucleus accumbens, and serotonin reductions in the hippocampus of the same magnitude as in repetitive treatment models. The data demonstrate that a single dose recapitulates the neurocognitive and monoamine effects of multiple-dose regimens, thereby simplifying the model of MA-induced neurotoxicity.
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Avila JA, Zanca RM, Shor D, Paleologos N, Alliger AA, Figueiredo-Pereira ME, Serrano PA. Chronic voluntary oral methamphetamine induces deficits in spatial learning and hippocampal protein kinase Mzeta with enhanced astrogliosis and cyclooxygenase-2 levels. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00509. [PMID: 29560440 PMCID: PMC5857642 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is an addictive drug with neurotoxic effects on the brain producing cognitive impairment and increasing the risk for neurodegenerative disease. Research has focused largely on examining the neurochemical and behavioral deficits induced by injecting relatively high doses of MA [30 mg/kg of body weight (bw)] identifying the upper limits of MA-induced neurotoxicity. Accordingly, we have developed an appetitive mouse model of voluntary oral MA administration (VOMA) based on the consumption of a palatable sweetened oatmeal mash containing a known amount of MA. This VOMA model is useful for determining the lower limits necessary to produce neurotoxicity in the short-term and long-term as it progresses over time. We show that mice consumed on average 1.743 mg/kg bw/hour during 3 hours, and an average of 5.23 mg/kg bw/day over 28 consecutive days on a VOMA schedule. Since this consumption rate is much lower than the neurotoxic doses typically injected, we assessed the effects of long-term chronic VOMA on both spatial memory performance and on the levels of neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. Following 28 days of VOMA, mice exhibited a significant deficit in short-term spatial working memory and spatial reference learning on the radial 8-arm maze (RAM) compared to controls. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in memory markers protein kinase Mzeta (PKMζ), calcium impermeable AMPA receptor subunit GluA2, and the post-synaptic density 95 (PSD-95) protein in the hippocampus. Compared to controls, the VOMA paradigm also induced decreases in hippocampal levels of dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as increases in dopamine 1 receptor (D1R), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), with a decrease in prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and D2 (PGD2). These results demonstrate that chronic VOMA reaching 146 mg/kg bw/28d induces significant hippocampal neurotoxicity. Future studies will evaluate the progression of this neurotoxic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A. Avila
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roseanna M. Zanca
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Denis Shor
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Paleologos
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amber A. Alliger
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria E. Figueiredo-Pereira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter A. Serrano
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
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Warton FL, Meintjes EM, Warton CMR, Molteno CD, Lindinger NM, Carter RC, Zöllei L, Wintermark P, Jacobson JL, van der Kouwe A, Jacobson SW. Prenatal methamphetamine exposure is associated with reduced subcortical volumes in neonates. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 65:51-9. [PMID: 29069607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine is associated with a range of neuropsychological, behavioural and cognitive deficits. A small number of imaging studies suggests that these may be mediated by neurostructural changes, including reduced volumes of specific brain regions. This study investigated potential volumetric changes in the brains of neonates with prenatal methamphetamine exposure. To our knowledge no previous studies have examined methamphetamine effects on regional brain volumes at this age. STUDY DESIGN Mothers were recruited antenatally and interviewed regarding methamphetamine use during pregnancy. Mothers in the exposure group reported using methamphetamine≥twice/month during pregnancy; control infants had no exposure to methamphetamine or other drugs and minimal exposure to alcohol. MRI scans were performed in the first postnatal month, following which anatomical images were processed using FreeSurfer. Subcortical and cerebellar regions were manually segmented and their volumes determined using FreeView. Pearson correlations were used to analyse potential associations between methamphetamine exposure and regional volumes. The associations between methamphetamine exposure and regional volumes were then examined adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS Methamphetamine exposure was associated with reduced left and right caudate and thalamus volumes. The association in the right caudate remained significant following adjustment for potential confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showing reduced caudate and thalamus volumes in neonates with prenatal methamphetamine exposure are consistent with previous findings in older exposed children, and demonstrate that these changes are already detectable in neonates. Continuing research is warranted to examine whether reduced subcortical volumes are predictive of cognitive, behavioural and affective impairment in older children.
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Moratalla R, Khairnar A, Simola N, Granado N, García-Montes JR, Porceddu PF, Tizabi Y, Costa G, Morelli M. Amphetamine-related drugs neurotoxicity in humans and in experimental animals: Main mechanisms. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 155:149-170. [PMID: 26455459 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphetamine-related drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH), are popular recreational psychostimulants. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that, besides having the potential for abuse, amphetamine-related drugs may also elicit neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects. The neurotoxic potentials of MDMA and METH to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons have been clearly demonstrated in both rodents and non-human primates. This review summarizes the species-specific cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MDMA and METH-mediated neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects, along with the most important behavioral changes elicited by these substances in experimental animals and humans. Emphasis is placed on the neuropsychological and neurological consequences associated with the neuronal damage. Moreover, we point out the gap in our knowledge and the need for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies to manage the neurological problems associated with amphetamine-related drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Moratalla
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Amit Khairnar
- Applied Neuroscience Research Group, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Noelia Granado
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Ruben García-Montes
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pier Francesca Porceddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; Centre of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
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Abstract
Intrauterine methamphetamine exposure adversely affects the neurofunctional profile of exposed children, leading to a variety of higher order cognitive deficits, such as decreased attention, reduced working-memory capability, behavioral dysregulation, and spatial memory impairments (Kiblawi et al. in J Dev Behav Pediatr 34:31-37, 2013; Piper et al. in Pharmacol Biochem Behav 98:432-439 2011; Roussotte et al. in Neuroimage 54:3067-3075, 2011; Twomey et al. in Am J Orthopsychiatry 83:64-72, 2013). In animal models of developmental methamphetamine, both neuroanatomical and behavioral outcomes critically depend on the timing of methamphetamine administration. Methamphetamine exposure during the third trimester human equivalent period of brain development results in well-defined and persistent wayfinding and spatial navigation deficits in rodents (Vorhees et al. in Neurotoxicol Teratol 27:117-134, 2005, Vorhees et al. in Int J Dev Neurosci 26:599-610, 2008; Vorhees et al. in Int J Dev Neurosci 27:289-298, 2009; Williams et al. in Psychopharmacology (Berl) 168:329-338, 2003b), whereas drug delivery during the first and second trimester equivalents produces no such effect (Acuff-Smith et al. in Neurotoxicol Teratol 18:199-215, 1996; Schutova et al. in Physiol Res 58:741-750, 2009a; Slamberova et al. in Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 380:109-114, 2009, Slamberova et al. in Physiol Res 63:S547-S558, 2014b). In this review, we examine the impact of developmental methamphetamine on emerging neural circuitry, neurotransmission, receptor changes, and behavioral outcomes in animal models. The review is organized by type of effects and timing of drug exposure (prenatal only, pre- and neonatal, and neonatal only). The findings elucidate functional patterns of interconnected brain structures (e.g., frontal cortex and striatum) and neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine and serotonin) involved in methamphetamine-induced developmental neurotoxicity.
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Tai Y, Chen L, Huang E, Liu C, Yang X, Qiu P, Wang H. Protective effect of alpha-synuclein knockdown on methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic neurons. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:951-8. [PMID: 25206917 PMCID: PMC4146216 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.133146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The over-expression of α-synuclein is a major factor in the death of dopaminergic neurons in a methamphetamine-induced model of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, α-synuclein knockdown rats were created by injecting α-synuclein-shRNA lentivirus stereotaxically into the right striatum of experimental rats. At 2 weeks post-injection, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with methamphetamine to establish the model of Parkinson's disease. Expression of α-synuclein mRNA and protein in the right striatum of the injected rats was significantly downregulated. Food intake and body weight were greater in α-synuclein knockdown rats, and water intake and stereotyped behavior score were lower than in model rats. Striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels were significantly elevated in α-synuclein knockdown rats. Moreover, superoxide dismutase activity was greater in α-synuclein knockdown rat striatum, but the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide synthase and nitrogen monoxide were lower compared with model rats. We also found that α-synuclein knockdown inhibited methamphetamine-induced neuronal apoptosis. These results suggest that α-synuclein has the capacity to reverse methamphetamine-induced apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the rat striatum by inhibiting oxidative stress and improving dopaminergic system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchun Tai
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Enping Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China ; Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xingyi Yang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Pingming Qiu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Kousik SM, Carvey PM, Napier TC. Methamphetamine self-administration results in persistent dopaminergic pathology: implications for Parkinson's disease risk and reward-seeking. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 40:2707-14. [PMID: 24890790 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse may be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD); a problematic event as approximately 33 million people abuse Meth worldwide. The current study determined if a mild form of PD-like nigrostriatal pathology occurred following forced abstinence in Meth self-administering rats. The average daily intake of self-administered Meth was 3.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg/3 h over 14 sessions. Subsequently, animals were killed and the brains harvested at 1, 7, 28 or 56 days of abstinence. Post mortem, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining in the dorsal striatum progressively decreased throughout abstinence, reaching a 50% loss at 56 days. In the substantia nigra, there was marked reduction of TH+ cells, and Fluorogold (retrograde tracer) transport from the striatum to the nigra, at 28 and 56 days after Meth. Thus, Meth-induced progressive nigrostriatal damage occurred retrogradely, similar to PD pathology. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway [i.e. ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc)], critical for Meth-induced reward, was also evaluated. TH immunostaining was decreased in the NAc-core at 28 and 56 days of forced abstinence, while staining in the dorsomedial NAc-shell was preserved. Accordingly, TH+ cell loss was evident in the lateral VTA, the origin of projections to the NAc-core, but not the medial VTA where NAc-shell projections originate. Thus, after Meth-taking ceased, a time-dependent, progressive degeneration occurred within nigrostriatal projections that eventually engulfed lateral mesolimbic projections. This pathological pattern is consistent with a trajectory for developing PD; therefore, these findings provide preclinical support for Meth abuse to increase vulnerability to developing PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharanya M Kousik
- Center for Compulsive Behavior and Addiction, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Chauhan H, Killinger BA, Miller CV, Moszczynska A. Single and binge methamphetamine administrations have different effects on the levels of dopamine D2 autoreceptor and dopamine transporter in rat striatum. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:5884-906. [PMID: 24717411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15045884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a central nervous system psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse. At high doses, METH causes a selective degeneration of dopaminergic terminals in the striatum. Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists and dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors protect against neurotoxicity of the drug by decreasing intracellular dopamine content and, consequently, dopamine autoxidation and production of reactive oxygen species. In vitro, amphetamines regulate D2 receptor and DAT functions via regulation of their intracellular trafficking. No data exists on axonal transport of both proteins and there is limited data on their interactions in vivo. The aim of the present investigation was to examine synaptosomal levels of presynaptic D2 autoreceptor and DAT after two different regimens of METH and to determine whether METH affects the D2 autoreceptor-DAT interaction in the rat striatum. We found that, as compared to saline controls, administration of single high-dose METH decreased D2 autoreceptor immunoreactivity and increased DAT immunoreactivity in rat striatal synaptosomes whereas binge high-dose METH increased immunoreactivity of D2 autoreceptor and had no effect on DAT immunoreactivity. Single METH had no effect on D2 autoreceptor-DAT interaction whereas binge METH increased the interaction between the two proteins in the striatum. Our results suggest that METH can affect axonal transport of both the D2 autoreceptor and DAT in an interaction-dependent and -independent manner.
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Reichel CM, Gilstrap MG, Ramsey LA, See RE. Modafinil restores methamphetamine induced object-in-place memory deficits in rats independent of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor expression. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 134:115-22. [PMID: 24120858 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic methamphetamine (meth) abuse in humans can lead to various cognitive deficits, including memory loss. We previously showed that chronic meth self-administration impairs memory for objects relative to their location and surrounding objects. Here, we demonstrate that the cognitive enhancer, modafinil, reversed this cognitive impairment independent of glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (GluN) receptor expression METHODS Male, Long-Evans rats underwent a noncontingent (Experiment 1) or contingent (Experiment 2) meth regimen. After one week of abstinence, rats were tested for object-in-place recognition memory. Half the rats received either vehicle or modafinil (100mg/kg) immediately after object familiarization. Rats (Experiment 2) were sacrificed immediately after the test and brain areas that comprise the key circuitry for object in place performance were manually dissected. Subsequently, glutamate receptor expression was measured from a crude membrane fraction using Western blot procedures. RESULTS Saline-treated rats spent more time interacting with the objects in changed locations, while meth-treated rats distributed their time equally among all objects. Meth-treated rats that received modafinil showed a reversal in the deficit, whereby they spent more time exploring the objects in the new locations. GluN2B receptor subtype was decreased in the perirhinal cortex, yet remained unaffected in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of meth rats. This meth-induced down regulation occurred whether or not meth experienced rats received vehicle or modafinil. CONCLUSIONS These data support the use of modafinil for memory impairment in meth addiction. Further studies are needed to elucidate the neural mechanisms of modafinil reversal of cognitive impairments.
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Silva CD, Neves AF, Dias AI, Freitas HJ, Mendes SM, Pita I, Viana SD, de Oliveira PA, Cunha RA, Fontes Ribeiro CA, Prediger RD, Pereira FC. A Single Neurotoxic Dose of Methamphetamine Induces a Long-Lasting Depressive-Like Behaviour in Mice. Neurotox Res 2013; 25:295-304. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-013-9423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kaushal N, Seminerio MJ, Robson MJ, McCurdy CR, Matsumoto RR. Pharmacological evaluation of SN79, a sigma (σ) receptor ligand, against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in vivo. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 23:960-71. [PMID: 22921523 PMCID: PMC3748261 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug of abuse, causing hyperthermia and neurotoxicity at high doses. Currently, there is no clinically proven pharmacotherapy to treat these effects of methamphetamine, necessitating identification of potential novel therapeutic targets. Earlier studies showed that methamphetamine binds to sigma (σ) receptors in the brain at physiologically relevant concentrations, where it "acts in part as an agonist." SN79 (6-acetyl-3-(4-(4-(4-florophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one) was synthesized as a putative σ receptor antagonist with nanomolar affinity and selectivity for σ receptors over 57 other binding sites. SN79 pretreatment afforded protection against methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and striatal dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotoxicity in male, Swiss Webster mice (measured as depletions in striatal dopamine and serotonin levels, and reductions in striatal dopamine and serotonin transporter expression levels). In contrast, di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG), a well established σ receptor agonist, increased the lethal effects of methamphetamine, although it did not further exacerbate methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia. Together, the data implicate σ receptors in the direct modulation of some effects of methamphetamine such as lethality, while having a modulatory role which can mitigate other methamphetamine-induced effects such as hyperthermia and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Kaushal
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Michael J. Seminerio
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Matthew J. Robson
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Rae R. Matsumoto
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- Corresponding author. School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9500, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Tel.: +1 304 293 1450; fax: +1 304 293 2576. (R.R. Matsumoto)
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Seminerio MJ, Hansen R, Kaushal N, Zhang HT, McCurdy CR, Matsumoto RR. The evaluation of AZ66, an optimized sigma receptor antagonist, against methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and memory impairment in mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 16:1033-44. [PMID: 22932447 DOI: 10.1017/S1461145712000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma (σ) receptors have recently been identified as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutics aimed at mitigating the effects of methamphetamine. Particularly, σ receptors are believed to mitigate some of the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine through modulation of dopamine, dopamine transporters and body temperature. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that targeting σ receptors may prevent cognitive impairments produced by methamphetamine. In the present study, an optimized σ receptor antagonist, AZ66, was evaluated against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive dysfunction. AZ66 was found to be highly selective for σ receptors compared to 64 other sites tested. Pretreatment of male, Swiss Webster mice with i.p. dosing of AZ66 significantly attenuated methamphetamine-induced striatal dopamine depletions, striatal dopamine transporter reductions and hyperthermia. Additionally, neurotoxic dosing with methamphetamine caused significant memory impairment in the object recognition test, which was attenuated when animals were pretreated with AZ66; similar trends were observed in the step-through passive avoidance test. Taken together, these results suggest that targeting σ receptors may provide neuroprotection against the neurotoxicity and cognitive impairments produced by methamphetamine.
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Jan RK, Kydd RR, Russell BR. Functional and structural brain changes associated with methamphetamine abuse. Brain Sci 2012; 2:434-82. [PMID: 24961256 PMCID: PMC4061807 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci2040434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent psychostimulant drug whose abuse has become a global epidemic in recent years. Firstly, this review article briefly discusses the epidemiology and clinical pharmacology of methamphetamine dependence. Secondly, the article reviews relevant animal literature modeling methamphetamine dependence and discusses possible mechanisms of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. Thirdly, it provides a critical review of functional and structural neuroimaging studies in human MA abusers; including positron emission tomography (PET) and functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The effect of abstinence from methamphetamine, both short- and long-term within the context of these studies is also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem K Jan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Rob R Kydd
- Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Bruce R Russell
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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Takeichi T, Wang EL, Kitamura O. The effects of low-dose methamphetamine pretreatment on endoplasmic reticulum stress and methamphetamine neurotoxicity in the rat midbrain. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2012; 14:69-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2011.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Graham DL, Herring NR, Schaefer TL, Holland KD, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Electroencephalographic and convulsive effects of binge doses of (+)-methamphetamine, 5-methoxydiisopropyltryptamine, and (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 5:1-8. [PMID: 25995775 DOI: 10.2174/1876523801205010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The abuse of drugs such as methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy, MDMA), and 5-methoxydiisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT; Foxy) is global. Symptoms from taking these drugs include tachycardia, agitation, hyperpyrexia, and sometimes seizures. We compared the EEG effects of these drugs in male Sprague-Dawley rats (~300 g) implanted with cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes prior to testing. Animals received four subcutaneous injections of MA, MDMA, or Foxy (10 mg/kg each as freebase, administered every 2 h), or saline as these doses produce lasting effects on learning, memory, and monoamines. EEG tracings were recorded before, during, and after treatment. Animals receiving MDMA showed no significant EEG abnormalities or myoclonus. MA treatment resulted in myoclonic activity and in brief (<10 s) EEG epileptiform activity in ~50% of the rats. Longer seizure activity (10 s to 5 min) was recorded in some MA-treated rats following the third and fourth doses. The onset of myoclonic activity following Foxy treatment occurred shortly after the first dose. All rats receiving Foxy showed seizures by the second dose and this continued throughout the treatment regimen. The results show that binge doses of MA and MDMA, which mimic the neurochemical changes seen in chronic users, increase EEG abnormalities after MA but not after MDMA. While the neurochemical effects of Foxy are not known in humans, this drug causes severe EEG abnormalities and overt seizures in 100% of tested animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon L Graham
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nicole R Herring
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katherine D Holland
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Charles V Vorhees
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michael T Williams
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Reichel CM, Ramsey LA, Schwendt M, McGinty JF, See RE. Methamphetamine-induced changes in the object recognition memory circuit. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:1119-26. [PMID: 22115899 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic methamphetamine (meth) can lead to persisting cognitive deficits in human addicts and animal models of meth addiction. Here, we examined the impact of either contingent or non-contingent meth on memory performance using an object-in-place (OIP) task, which measures the ability to detect an object relative to its location and surrounding objects. Further, we quantified monoamine transporter levels and markers of neurotoxicity within the OIP circuitry and striatum. Male Long-Evans rats received an acute meth binge (4 × 4 mg/kg i.p., 2 h intervals) or self-administered meth (0.02 mg/infusion, i.v.; 7 days for 1 h/day, followed by 14 days for 6 h/day). Rats were tested for OIP recognition memory following one week of withdrawal. Subsequently, transporters for serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) were quantified using Western blot in tissue obtained from the hippocampus, perirhinal cortex, and prefrontal cortex. In addition, striatal dopamine transporters, tyrosine hydroxylase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein were measured to assess potential neurotoxicity. Control (saline-treated) rats spent more time interacting with the objects in the changed locations. In contrast, contingent or non-contingent meth resulted in disrupted OIP performance as seen by similar amounts of time spent with all objects, regardless of location. While only acute meth binge produced signs of neurotoxicity, both meth regimens decreased SERT in the perirhinal cortex and hippocampus. Only meth self-administration resulted in a selective decrease in NET. Meth-induced changes in SERT function in the OIP circuitry may underlie memory deficits independently of overt neurotoxic effects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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McFadden LM, Hadlock GC, Allen SC, Vieira-Brock PL, Stout KA, Ellis JD, Hoonakker AJ, Andrenyak DM, Nielsen SM, Wilkins DG, Hanson GR, Fleckenstein AE. Methamphetamine self-administration causes persistent striatal dopaminergic alterations and mitigates the deficits caused by a subsequent methamphetamine exposure. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2011; 340:295-303. [PMID: 22034657 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.188433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that repeated methamphetamine (METH) injections (referred to herein as a "binge" treatment) cause persistent dopaminergic deficits. A few studies have also examined the persistent neurochemical impact of METH self-administration in rats, but with variable results. These latter studies are important because: 1) they have relevance to the study of METH abuse; and 2) the effects of noncontingent METH treatment do not necessarily predict effects of contingent exposure. Accordingly, the present study investigated the impact of METH self-administration on dopaminergic neuronal function. Results revealed that self-administration of METH, given according to a regimen that produces brain METH levels comparable with those reported postmortem in human METH abusers (0.06 mg/infusion; 8-h sessions for 7 days), decreased striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) uptake and/or immunoreactivity as assessed 8 or 30 days after the last self-administration session. Increasing the METH dose per infusion did not exacerbate these deficits. These deficits were similar in magnitude to decreases in DAT densities reported in imaging studies of abstinent METH abusers. It is noteworthy that METH self-administration mitigated the persistent deficits in dopaminergic neuronal function, as well as the increases in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, caused by a subsequent binge METH exposure. This protection was independent of alterations in METH pharmacokinetics, but may have been attributable (at least in part) to a pretreatment-induced attenuation of binge-induced hyperthermia. Taken together, these results may provide insight into the neurochemical deficits reported in human METH abusers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McFadden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Kaushal N, Seminerio MJ, Shaikh J, Medina MA, Mesangeau C, Wilson LL, McCurdy CR, Matsumoto RR. CM156, a high affinity sigma ligand, attenuates the stimulant and neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine in mice. Neuropharmacology 2011; 61:992-1000. [PMID: 21762711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2010] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug of abuse. Low and high dose administration of METH leads to locomotor stimulation, and dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotoxicity, respectively. The behavioral stimulant and neurotoxic effects of METH can contribute to addiction and other neuropsychiatric disorders, thus necessitating the identification of potential pharmacotherapeutics against these effects produced by METH. METH binds to σ receptors at physiologically relevant concentrations. Also, σ receptors are present on and can modulate dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons. Therefore, σ receptors provide a viable target for the development of pharmacotherapeutics against the adverse effects of METH. In the present study, CM156, a σ receptor ligand with high affinity and selectivity for σ receptors over 80 other non-σ binding sites, was evaluated against METH-induced stimulant, hyperthermic, and neurotoxic effects. Pretreatment of male, Swiss Webster mice with CM156 dose dependently attenuated the locomotor stimulation, hyperthermia, striatal dopamine and serotonin depletions, and striatal dopamine and serotonin transporter reductions produced by METH, without significant effects of CM156 on its own. These results demonstrate the ability of a highly selective σ ligand to mitigate the effects of METH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Kaushal
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
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23
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Braun AA, Herring NR, Schaefer TL, Hemmerle AM, Dickerson JW, Seroogy KB, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Neurotoxic (+)-methamphetamine treatment in rats increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B expression in multiple brain regions. Neuroscience 2011; 184:164-71. [PMID: 21453757 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is an abused stimulant which can result in cognitive deficits and monoamine depletions. Animal models of neurotoxic MA exposure show reductions in dopamine, serotonin, and their associated transporters. MA abuse can result in long-term attention, working memory, and executive function deficits in humans and deficits in route-based egocentric learning, novel object recognition, and novel odor preference in rodents. MA has also been shown to affect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in humans and rodents. This experiment examined the effects of a MA binge dosing regimen (10 mg/kg x 4 at 2 h intervals, s.c.) in Sprague-Dawley rats on BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression, and plasma corticosterone. Tissues were collected 1, 7, and 24 h following the last MA dose. Expression of BDNF and TrkB mRNA was analyzed using in situ hybridization with cRNA probes. Frontal, parietal, and entorhinal cortical BDNF mRNA expression were increased by MA exposure at all time-points. Increases in BDNF mRNA were also seen in the hippocampal CA1, prefrontal cortex (PFC), piriform cortex, and locus coeruleus but only at specific times. TrkB mRNA expression was modified in several subregions of the hippocampus as well as in PFC and striatum. TH mRNA was increased at the 1 h time-point in the substantia nigra pars compacta with no differences noted at the other times. Corticosterone levels were increased at all three time-points. The findings suggest that BDNF and its receptor may be upregulated as a compensatory mechanism after MA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Braun
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Seminerio MJ, Kaushal N, Shaikh J, Huber JD, Coop A, Matsumoto RR. Sigma (σ) receptor ligand, AC927 (N-phenethylpiperidine oxalate), attenuates methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and serotonin damage in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 98:12-20. [PMID: 21130800 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2010.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2010] [Revised: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine interacts with sigma (σ) receptors and AC927, a selective σ receptor ligand, protects against methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In the present study, the effects of AC927 on methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and striatal serotonergic neurotoxicity were evaluated. Male, Swiss Webster mice were injected (i.p.) every 2 h, for a total of four times, with one of the following treatments: Saline+Saline; Saline+Methamphetamine (5 mg/kg); AC927 (5, 10, 20 mg/kg)+Methamphetamine (5 mg/kg); or AC927 (5, 10, 20 mg/kg)+Saline. Pretreatment with AC927 (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated methamphetamine-induced striatal serotonin depletions, striatal serotonin transporter reductions, and hyperthermia. At the doses tested, AC927 itself had no significant effects on serotonin levels, serotonin transporter expression, or body temperature. To evaluate the effects of higher ambient temperature on methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, groups of mice were treated at 37 °C. Overall, there was an inverse correlation between the body temperature of the animals and striatal serotonin levels. Together, the data suggest that AC927 (10 mg/kg) protects against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. The reduction of methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia by AC927 may contribute to the observed neuroprotection in vivo.
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Kitamura O, Takeichi T, Wang EL, Tokunaga I, Ishigami A, Kubo S. Microglial and astrocytic changes in the striatum of methamphetamine abusers. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2010; 12:57-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 10/19/2009] [Accepted: 11/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Grace CE, Schaefer TL, Herring NR, Graham DL, Skelton MR, Gudelsky GA, Williams MT, Vorhees CV. Effect of a neurotoxic dose regimen of (+)-methamphetamine on behavior, plasma corticosterone, and brain monoamines in adult C57BL/6 mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2010; 32:346-55. [PMID: 20096350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2010.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 12/22/2009] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE In rats, neurotoxic doses of methamphetamine (MA) induce astrogliosis, long lasting monoamine reductions, reuptake transporter down-regulation, and learning impairments. OBJECTIVE We tested whether comparable effects occur in C57BL/6 mice. METHOD C57BL/6 mice were treated with 10mg/kgs.c.x4 MA on a single day and evaluated at various intervals thereafter. RESULTS The neurotoxic dose regimen of MA caused the predicted acute hyperthermia and increased striatal glial fibrillary acidic protein and reduced neostriatal dopamine. The MA-treated mice were hypoactive 24h later but not 48h later. MA-treated mice also showed exaggerated initial hyperactivity after a pharmacological dose of MA used to stimulate locomotion followed by a later phase of hypoactivity compared to saline-treated mice. No differences were observed on learning or memory tests (novel object recognition, egocentric, or spatial learning/memory). MA-treated mice showed a trend toward increased prepulse inhibition but not baseline acoustic startle reactivity. After testing, MA-treated mice showed reduced neostriatal dopamine and increased basal plasma corticosterone. CONCLUSIONS A neurotoxic/binge regimen of MA in mice that produces the typical pattern of neurotoxic changes to those seen in rats, results in few behavioral changes. This may limit the utility of C57BL/6 mice for modeling the cognitive and behavioral effects described in human MA users who show such changes even after prolonged abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis E Grace
- Division of Neurology, Dept. of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether systemic administration of methamphetamine (METH) induces retinal damage in CD1 mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen male CD1 mice were randomly assigned to three groups, six mice per group: Group 1 receiving a single dose of 40 mg/kg METH, Group 2 receiving four doses of 10 mg/kg METH, and Group 3 (control) receiving 40 mg/kg 0.9% NaCl solution. METH and NaCl were administered by intraperitoneal injection. Immunostaining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 for astrocytes and Muller cells, CD11b for microglia, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and TUNEL labeling for apoptotic cell death were performed on the retinal sections on day 1 and day 7 post-exposure. RESULTS GFAP and S-100 immunoreactivity was observed in Group 1 mice. CD11b+ cells in Group 1 mice showed more intensely stained shorter and thicker cellular processes than Groups 2 and 3, indicating activated microglia in the mice exposed to large-dose METH. No significant difference in TH level was seen among the three groups. TUNEL labeling did not reveal positive cells in the retinas of any of the 18 CD1 mice. CONCLUSIONS A single large dose of METH induces an increase in short-term protein expression of GFAP and S-100 and in microglial activation. The results suggest that METH has a neurotoxic effect on CD1 mouse retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lai
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Jayanthi S, McCoy MT, Beauvais G, Ladenheim B, Gilmore K, Wood W, Becker K, Cadet JL. Methamphetamine induces dopamine D1 receptor-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecular events in the rat striatum. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6092. [PMID: 19564919 PMCID: PMC2699544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit toxic psychostimulant which is widely abused. Its toxic effects depend on the release of excessive levels of dopamine (DA) that activates striatal DA receptors. Inhibition of DA-mediated neurotransmission by the DA D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390, protects against METH-induced neuronal apoptosis. The initial purpose of the present study was to investigate, using microarray analyses, the influence of SCH23390 on transcriptional responses in the rat striatum caused by a single METH injection at 2 and 4 hours after drug administration. We identified 545 out of a total of 22,227 genes as METH-responsive. These include genes which are involved in apoptotic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and in transcription regulation, among others. Of these, a total of 172 genes showed SCH23390-induced inhibition of METH-mediated changes. Among these SCH23390-responsive genes were several genes that are regulated during ER stress, namely ATF3, HSP27, Hmox1, HSP40, and CHOP/Gadd153. The secondary goal of the study was to investigate the role of DA D1 receptor stimulation on the expression of genes that participate in ER stress-mediated molecular events. We thus used quantitative PCR to confirm changes in the METH-responsive ER genes identified by the microarray analyses. We also measured the expression of these genes and of ATF4, ATF6, BiP/GRP78, and of GADD34 over a more extended time course. SCH23390 attenuated or blocked METH-induced increases in the expression of the majority of these genes. Western blot analysis revealed METH-induced increases in the expression of the antioxidant protein, Hmox1, which lasted for about 24 hours after the METH injection. Additionally, METH caused DA D1 receptor-dependent transit of the Hmox1 regulator protein, Nrf2, from cytosolic into nuclear fractions where the protein exerts its regulatory functions. When taken together, these findings indicate that SCH23390 can provide protection against neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting METH-mediated DA D1 receptor-mediated ER stress in the rat striatum. Our data also suggest that METH-induced toxicity might be a useful model to dissect molecular mechanisms involved in ER stress-dependent events in the rodent brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael T. McCoy
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Genevieve Beauvais
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kristi Gilmore
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - William Wood
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin Becker
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Xi ZX, Kleitz HK, Deng X, Ladenheim B, Peng XQ, Li X, Gardner EL, Stein EA, Cadet JL. A single high dose of methamphetamine increases cocaine self-administration by depletion of striatal dopamine in rats. Neuroscience 2009; 161:392-402. [PMID: 19336247 PMCID: PMC3737775 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Revised: 03/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Psychostimulant addicts often take high doses of drugs, and high doses of psychostimulants such as methamphetamine (METH) are neurotoxic to striatal dopamine (DA) terminals. Yet, the effects of high doses of METH on drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior have not been examined. In the present study, we found that single high doses of METH in rats (10-20 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased cocaine self-administration under fixed-ratio 2 (FR2) reinforcement conditions, while higher doses (40 mg/kgx1 or 10 mg/kg/2 hx4) caused high mortality among rats maintained on daily cocaine self-administration. The increased cocaine self-administration appeared to be a compensatory response to reduced cocaine reward after METH, because the same doses of METH caused a dose-dependent reduction both in "break-point" levels for cocaine self-administration under progressive-ratio reinforcement and in nucleus accumbens DA response to acute cocaine. Further, METH (10-20 mg/kg) produced large DA release (4000%-6000% over baseline), followed by a significant reduction in striatal DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) contents, but without significant changes in striatal DA transporter levels. These findings suggest that the present high doses of METH caused striatal DA depletion or hypofunction without severe damage in DA terminals, which may contribute to the increased cocaine-taking behavior observed in the present study. Provided that the present doses of METH may mimic METH overdose incidents in humans, the present findings suggest that METH-induced DA depletion or neurotoxicity may lead to an increase in subsequent drug-taking and drug-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z-X Xi
- Chemical Biology Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 251 Bayview Boulevard, BRC Room 05A705, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Frederick AL, Stanwood GD. Drugs, biogenic amine targets and the developing brain. Dev Neurosci 2009; 31:7-22. [PMID: 19372683 DOI: 10.1159/000207490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in the development of the brain have a profound impact on mature brain functions and underlying psychopathology. Classical neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA, have pleiotropic effects during brain development. In other words, these molecules produce multiple diverse effects to serve as regulators of distinct cellular functions at different times in neurodevelopment. These systems are impacted upon by abuse of a variety of illicit drugs, neurotherapeutics and environmental contaminants. In this review, we describe the impact of drugs and chemicals on brain formation and function in animal models and in human populations, highlighting sensitive periods and effects that may not emerge until later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya L Frederick
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-6600, USA
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31
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Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit psychostimulant that is widely abused in the world. Several lines of evidence suggest that chronic METH abuse leads to neurodegenerative changes in the human brain. These include damage to dopamine and serotonin axons, loss of gray matter accompanied by hypertrophy of the white matter and microgliosis in different brain areas. In the present review, we summarize data on the animal models of METH neurotoxicity which include degeneration of monoaminergic terminals and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we discuss molecular and cellular bases of METH-induced neuropathologies. The accumulated evidence indicates that multiple events, including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, hyperthermia, neuroinflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress converge to mediate METH-induced terminal degeneration and neuronal apoptosis. When taken together, these findings suggest that pharmacological strategies geared towards the prevention and treatment of the deleterious effects of this drug will need to attack the various pathways that form the substrates of METH toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina N Krasnova
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIDA/NIH/DHHS, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Matsumoto RR, Shaikh J, Wilson LL, Vedam S, Coop A. Attenuation of methamphetamine-induced effects through the antagonism of sigma (sigma) receptors: Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2008; 18:871-81. [PMID: 18755577 PMCID: PMC2688716 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2008] [Revised: 05/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) and many other abused substances interact with sigma receptors. sigma receptors are found on dopaminergic neurons and can modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission. Antisense knock down of sigma receptors also mitigates METH-induced stimulant effects, suggesting that these proteins are viable medication development targets for treating psychostimulant abuse. In the present study, AC927, a sigma receptor antagonist, was evaluated for its ability to attenuate METH-induced effects in vivo and in vitro. Radioligand binding studies showed that AC927 had preferential affinity for sigma receptors compared to 29 other receptors, transporters and ion channels. Pretreatment of male, Swiss Webster mice with AC927 significantly attenuated METH-induced locomotor stimulation, striatal dopamine depletions, striatal dopamine transporter reductions, and hyperthermia. When the neurotoxicity of METH was further examined in vitro under temperature-controlled conditions, co-incubation with AC927 mitigated METH-induced cytotoxicity. Together, the results demonstrate that AC927 protects against METH-induced effects, and suggests a new strategy for treating psychostimulant abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rae R Matsumoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
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Liu Y, Brown S, Shaikh J, Fishback JA, Matsumoto RR. Relationship between methamphetamine exposure and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression. Neuroreport 2008; 19:1407-9. [PMID: 18766021 DOI: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e32830dd606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity was evaluated. Injection of mice with stimulant or toxic doses of methamphetamine upregulated MMP9 gene expression in the brain within 5 min. By 24 h, MMP9 gene expression returned to control levels in the stimulant-treated mice, but remained elevated in animals exposed to toxic doses of methamphetamine. Reductions in striatal dopamine levels, a marker of methamphetamine neurotoxicity, developed 1-7 days after methamphetamine exposure, but were not accompanied by concomitant changes in MMP9 gene expression. In MMP9 knockout mice, methamphetamine retained its ability to elicit neurotoxicity. The data suggest that MMP9 expression does not contribute to methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, and may instead be involved in remodeling of the nervous system.
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Simões PF, Silva AP, Pereira FC, Marques E, Milhazes N, Borges F, Ribeiro CF, Macedo TR. Methamphetamine Changes NMDA and AMPA Glutamate Receptor Subunit Levels in the Rat Striatum and Frontal Cortex. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1139:232-41. [DOI: 10.1196/annals.1432.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug, whose abuse has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. METH use is disproportionally represented among populations at high risks for developing HIV infection or who are already infected with the virus. Psychostimulant abuse has been reported to exacerbate the cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative abnormalities observed in HIV-positive patients. Thus, the purpose of the present paper is to review the clinical and basic observations that METH potentiates the adverse effects of HIV infection. An additional purpose is to provide a synthesis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that might be responsible for the increased toxicity observed in co-morbid patients. The reviewed data indicate that METH and HIV proteins, including gp120, gp41, Tat, Vpr and Nef, converge on various caspase-dependent death pathways to cause neuronal apoptosis. The role of reactive microgliosis in METH- and in HIV-induced toxicity is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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36
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Simões P, Silva A, Pereira F, Marques E, Grade S, Milhazes N, Borges F, Ribeiro C, Macedo T. Methamphetamine induces alterations on hippocampal NMDA and AMPA receptor subunit levels and impairs spatial working memory. Neuroscience 2007; 150:433-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2007] [Revised: 08/28/2007] [Accepted: 09/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Schaefer TL, Skelton MR, Herring NR, Gudelsky GA, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Short- and long-term effects of (+)-methamphetamine and (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on monoamine and corticosterone levels in the neonatal rat following multiple days of treatment. J Neurochem 2007; 104:1674-85. [PMID: 17996031 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rats treated with (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or (+)-methamphetamine (MA) neonatally exhibit long-lasting learning impairments (i.e., after treatment on postnatal days (P)11-15 or P11-20). Although both drugs are substituted amphetamines, they each produce a unique profile of cognitive deficits (i.e., spatial vs. path integration learning and severity of deficits) which may be the result of differential early neurochemical changes. We previously showed that MA and MDMA increase corticosterone (CORT) and MDMA reduces levels of serotonin (5-HT) 24 h after treatment on P11, however, learning deficits are seen after 5 or 10 days of drug treatment, not just 1 day. Accordingly, in the present experiment, rats were treated with MA or MDMA starting on P11 for 5 or 10 days (P11-15 or P11-20) and tissues collected on P16, P21, or P30. Five-day MA administration dramatically increased CORT on P16, whereas MDMA did not. Both drugs decreased hippocampal 5-HT on P16 and P21, although MDMA produced larger reductions. Ten-day treatment with either drug increased dopamine utilization in the neostriatum on P21, whereas 5-day treatment had no effect. No CORT or brain 5-HT or dopamine changes were found with either drug on P30. Although the monoamine changes are transient, they may alter developing neural circuits sufficiently to permanently disrupt later learning and memory abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Bourque M, Liu B, Dluzen DE, Di Paolo T. Tamoxifen protects male mice nigrostriatal dopamine against methamphetamine-induced toxicity. Biochem Pharmacol 2007; 74:1413-23. [PMID: 17825264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2007] [Revised: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/09/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen and estradiol were shown to protect nigrostriatal dopamine concentration loss by methamphetamine in female mice whereas male mice were protected only by tamoxifen. The present study examined the protective properties of tamoxifen in male mice on several nigrostriatal dopaminergic markers and body temperature. Intact male mice were administered 12.5 or 50 microg tamoxifen 24 h before methamphetamine treatment. Basal body temperatures of male mice remained unchanged by the tamoxifen treatment. Methamphetamine reduced striatal dopamine and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid concentrations, striatal and substantia nigra dopamine and vesicular monoamine transporter specific binding as well substantia nigra dopamine and vesicular monoamine transporter mRNA levels and increased striatal preproenkephalin mRNA levels. These methamphetamine effects were not altered by 12.5 microg tamoxifen except for increased striatal dopamine metabolites and turnover. Tamoxifen at 50 microg reduced the methamphetamine effect on striatal dopamine concentration, dopamine transporter specific binding and prevented the increase in preproenkephalin mRNA levels; in the substantia nigra tamoxifen prevented the decrease of dopamine transporter mRNA levels. The present results show a tamoxifen dose-dependent prevention of loss of various dopaminergic markers against methamphetamine-induced toxicity in male mice. Since this is the only known hormonal protection of male mice against methamphetamine toxicity, these findings provide important new information on specific parameters of nigrostriatal dopaminergic function preserved by tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Bourque
- Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center, CHUL, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
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Brillaud E, Piotrowski A, de Seze R. Effect of an acute 900MHz GSM exposure on glia in the rat brain: a time-dependent study. Toxicology 2007; 238:23-33. [PMID: 17624651 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2007.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2006] [Revised: 05/10/2007] [Accepted: 05/14/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Because of the increasing use of mobile phones, the possible risks of radio frequency electromagnetic fields adverse effects on the human brain has to be evaluated. In this work we measured GFAP expression, to evaluate glial evolution 2, 3, 6 and 10 days after a single GSM exposure (15min, brain averaged SAR=6W/kg, 900MHz signal) in the rat brain. A statistically significant increase of GFAP stained surface area was observed 2 days after exposure in the frontal cortex and the caudate putamen. A smaller statistically significant increase was noted 3 days after exposure in the same areas and in the cerebellum cortex. Our results confirm the Mausset-Bonnefont et al. study [Mausset-Bonnefont, A.L., Hirbec, H., Bonnefont, X., Privat, A., Vignon, J., de Seze, R., 2004. Acute exposure to GSM 900MHz electromagnetic fields induces glial reactivity and biochemical modifications in the rat brain. Neurobiol. Dis. 17, 445-454], showing the existence of glial reactivity after a 15min GSM acute exposure at a brain averaged SAR of 6W/kg. We conclude to a temporary effect, probably due to a hypertrophy of glial cells, with a temporal and a spatial modulation of the effect. Whether this effect could be harmful remains to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Brillaud
- INERIS, Unité de Toxicologie Expérimentale, Parc Technologique ALATA, BP no. 2, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
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Cai NS, McCoy MT, Ladenheim B, Lyles J, Ali SF, Cadet JL. Serial analysis of gene expression in the rat striatum following methamphetamine administration. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1074:13-30. [PMID: 17105900 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH), a highly addictive drug, can cause degeneration of monoaminergic terminals and neuronal apoptosis in the mammalian brain. In the present article, we have used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to investigate patterns of gene expression in the striata of rats that were given a neurotoxic dose of the drug. SAGE libraries were generated from animals treated with either saline or METH (40 mg/kg) and sacrificed 2 h later. A total of 315 transcripts were differentially expressed between the two libraries (P < 0.05), with 179 (56%) being upregulated and 136 (44%) being downregulated by the METH injection. Of these, CAATT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP)/GADD153 (growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 153) was found to be upregulated by about threefold. Analysis of the expression of genes downstream of CHOP (DOCs) revealed significant METH-induced increases in their expression. Because DOC1 is an analog of carbonic anhydrase (CA) which is involved in the interconversion between carbon dioxide and the bicarbonate ion, we also measured the effects of METH on the expression of several CAs. These were significantly upregulated by METH in a time-dependent fashion. These results indicate that METH toxicity is mediated, in part, by drug-induced perturbations of physiological processes that are dependent on normal pH and CO(2) homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Sheng Cai
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Schaefer TL, Ehrman LA, Gudelsky GA, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Comparison of monoamine and corticosterone levels 24 h following (+)methamphetamine, (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, cocaine, (+)fenfluramine or (+/-)methylphenidate administration in the neonatal rat. J Neurochem 2006; 98:1369-78. [PMID: 16923155 PMCID: PMC2756091 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04034.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that neonatal administration of (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and (+)fenfluramine produce deficits in spatial and path integration learning, whereas (+)methamphetamine causes deficits in spatial learning. Conversely, cocaine and (+/-)methylphenidate have no effect on either form of learning following neonatal administration. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether corticosterone and/or monoamine levels were changed following subcutaneous administration of 10 mg/kg (+)methamphetamine, (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, (+)fenfluramine, (+/-)methylphenidate or cocaine every 2 h (total of four injections) on postnatal day 11. Twenty-four hours after the first dose, plasma, striatum and hippocampus were collected. Corticosterone levels were increased in methamphetamine-, fenfluramine-, methylenedioxymethamphetamine- and methylphenidate-treated rats relative to levels in saline-treated rats, whereas cocaine-treated rats were unaffected. In the striatum and hippocampus, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid were reduced in animals treated with methylenedioxymethamphetamine or fenfluramine, compared with levels in saline controls. Dopamine levels were not changed by any of the drugs, although 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid was decreased following methylenedioxymethamphetamine or methamphetamine. Minimal effects were seen in neurotransmitter levels following injection of cocaine or methylphenidate. These data suggest that drugs that affect corticosterone and hippocampal serotonin are associated with both spatial learning and path integration deficits, and those that affect corticosterone and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid are associated with spatial learning deficits only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori L. Schaefer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa A. Ehrman
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Gary A. Gudelsky
- College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Charles V. Vorhees
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael T. Williams
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Shepard JD, Chuang DT, Shaham Y, Morales M. Effect of methamphetamine self-administration on tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter levels in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine pathways of the rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006; 185:505-13. [PMID: 16555063 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-006-0316-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2005] [Accepted: 01/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Many studies have examined the effect of experimenter-delivered methamphetamine on the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine pathways. In contrast, little is known about the effect of methamphetamine self-administration on these neuronal pathways. We studied the effect of methamphetamine self-administration on two key regulators of dopamine transmission, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and dopamine transporter (DAT), in components of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine pathways. METHODS Rats self-administered methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg per infusion, fixed-ratio-1 reinforcement schedule) or saline (control condition) for 9 h/day over 10 days. The brains of these rats were collected after 1 or 30 days of forced abstinence and the expression levels of TH and DAT were assayed by in situ, hybridization and western blot. RESULTS TH mRNA and protein levels were increased in the ventral tegmental area (VTA, the cell body region of the mesolimbic dopamine system) and the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC, the cell body region of the nigrostriatal dopamine system) after 1 day, but not 30 days, of forced abstinence from methamphetamine. In contrast, methamphetamine self-administration had no effect on TH protein levels in dopaminergic terminals located in the nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen. In addition, methamphetamine self-administration had no effect on DAT mRNA levels in the VTA. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that extended daily access to self-administered methamphetamine results in a transient, short-lasting effect on mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine neurons of the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack D Shepard
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, IRP/NIDA/NIH, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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43
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Kitamura O, Tokunaga I, Gotohda T, Kubo SI. Immunohistochemical investigation of dopaminergic terminal markers and caspase-3 activation in the striatum of human methamphetamine users. Int J Legal Med 2006; 121:163-8. [PMID: 16622715 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-006-0087-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2005] [Accepted: 03/02/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) has been shown to induce neurotoxicity. In a previous human study using quantitative Western blotting and radioligand binding assay, dopaminergic terminal marker deficits were induced in chronic METH users. In this study, we examined the suitability of the immunohistochemical detection of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) levels, and caspase-3 activation in the striatum to diagnose METH abuse. Decreases in TH immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens and DAT in the nucleus accumbens and putamen were induced in METH users, whereas a significant difference of VMAT2 was not evident between METH and control groups. However, in the nucleus accumbens of two METH users, levels of VMAT2, a stable marker of striatal dopaminergic terminal integrity, were reduced remarkably. These findings might indicate that dopaminergic terminal degeneration is induced in the striatum of some METH abusers. On the other hand, we observed little caspase-3 activation, indicative of apoptosis, in the striatal neurons of chronic METH users. Overall, the findings of dopaminergic terminal markers were similar to those in the previous human study. Therefore, it is suggested that immunohistochemical techniques could be used to examine dopaminergic terminal marker levels and could also give useful information on chronic and/or lethal METH use in cases of METH-related death, where METH intoxication may not be toxicologically demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Kitamura
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Health Bioscience, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
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Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces excessive release of dopamine (DA) in the striatum. In this study we have assessed the role of DA D1 and D2 receptors (D1R and D2R) on striatal METH-induced apoptosis and depletion of DA-terminal markers. Male mice were given one i.p. injection of METH (30 mg/kg). Apoptosis was assessed at 24 h, and DA-terminal marker depletion 3 days, after METH. A single toxic dose of METH induced apoptosis in approximately 10-13% of striatal neurons. This was completely prevented by pretreatment (30 min before METH) with either the D1R antagonist SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) or the D2R antagonist raclopride (1 mg/kg). The same dose of METH induced depletion of DA transporter sites up to 61, 56, 71, and 69% in dorsal-medial, ventral-medial, dorsal-lateral, and ventral-lateral striatum, respectively, relative to vehicle-injected controls. Similarly, METH induced depletion of TH protein levels up to 80, 72, 87, and 90% in those respective quadrants. METH induced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein throughout the striatum. All these neurochemical changes were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) or raclopride (1 mg/kg). However, pretreatment with either raclopride or SCH-23390 did not prevent METH-induced hyperthermia in mice. These data demonstrate that the induction by METH of both striatal apoptosis and DA-terminal damage requires the activity of the postsynaptic DA receptors in the mouse brain. Moreover, since blockade of either receptor subtype protected from METH, the activity of both DA receptor subtypes is required for the induction of toxicity by METH in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jesus A. Angulo
- Correspondence to: Dr. Jesus A. Angulo, Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.,
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Pereira FC, Lourenço ES, Borges F, Morgadinho T, Ribeiro CF, Macedo TR, Ali SF. Single or multiple injections of methamphetamine increased dopamine turnover but did not decrease tyrosine hydroxylase levels or cleave caspase-3 in caudate-putamen. Synapse 2006; 60:185-93. [PMID: 16739116 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH), leading to striatal dopamine (DA) nerve terminal toxicity in mammals, is also thought to induce apoptosis of striatal neurons in rodents. We investigated the acute effects induced by multiple injections of METH (4 x 5 mg/kg, i.p.) at 2-h intervals or a single injection of METH (20 mg/kg, i.p.) on terminal dopaminergic toxicity markers, including DA levels, DA turnover, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in rat caudate-putamen (CPu). We further investigated whether both treatment paradigms would change Bax and activate caspase-3 expression, thus triggering striatal apoptotic mitochondria-dependent biochemical cascades. The first injection of METH (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant release of DA that peaked 30 min and stayed above control levels up to 1.5 h within CPu. In another set of experiments, rats were killed 1 and 24 h following the last injection, for tissue DA and metabolite content measurement and Western blot analysis (24 h). Multiple doses induced DA depletion and increased turnover at both endpoints. Single-dose METH reproduced these effects at 24 h; however, turnover was significantly higher than that evoked by the multiple doses at 24 h. Although both paradigms evoked similar DA depletion, however, none of the dosing regimens induced changes in TH expression at 24 h. The former paradigm produced an increase in Bax expression in CPu not sufficient to induce cleavage of caspase-3 proenzyme at 24 h. This study suggests that both paradigm induced changes in striatal dopaminergic markers that are independent of terminal degeneration and striatal apoptotic mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 driven cascade within 24 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederico Costa Pereira
- Institute of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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46
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Abstract
In the present study, we investigated whether estrogen remains effective as a neuroprotectant within an impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic (NSDA) system of gonadectomized female and male mice. In Experiment 1, mice were treated with four different regimens of methamphetamine (MA) to establish a protocol for an impaired NSDA system to be used in subsequent experiments. Based upon the results of Experiment 1, in Experiment 2 gonadectomized female mice received a treatment with either control (saline), low- or high-dose of MA to produce an initial NSDA impairment. At one week post-MA, mice received either estradiol benzoate (10 microg) or vehicle followed 24 h later with low-MA or saline. Estrogen altered the toxic effects of the second invasion of MA as indicated by a significant decrease in striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations. In addition, DA and DOPAC depletion was greater in high- vs. low-dose MA. In gonadectomized male mice (Experiment 3), striatal DA and DOPAC concentrations showed greater decreases following high-, vs. low-doses of MA; however, estrogen did not alter these responses. These results demonstrate that the capacity for estrogen to protect or worsen MA-induced neurotoxicity of dopaminergic neurons is limited to female mice and depends on the condition of the NSDA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio 44272-0095, USA
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47
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Abstract
The abuse of the illicit drug methamphetamine (METH) is a major concern because it can cause terminal degeneration and neuronal cell death in the brain. METH-induced cell death occurs via processes that resemble apoptosis. In the present review, we discuss the role of various apoptotic events in the causation of METH-induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Studies using comprehensive approaches to gene expression profiling have allowed for the identification of several genes that are up-regulated or down-regulated after an apoptosis-inducing dose of the drug. Further experiments have also documented the fact that the drug can cause demise of striatal enkephalinergic neurons by cross-talks between mitochondria-, endoplasmic reticulum- and receptor-mediated apoptotic events. These neuropathological observations have also been reported in models of drug-induced neuroplastic alterations used to mimic drug addiction (Nestler, 2001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIH/NIDA, Intramural Research Program, Department of Health and Human Services, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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48
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Zhu JP, Xu W, Angulo JA. Disparity in the temporal appearance of methamphetamine-induced apoptosis and depletion of dopamine terminal markers in the striatum of mice. Brain Res 2005; 1049:171-81. [PMID: 16043139 PMCID: PMC2886204 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.04.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2004] [Revised: 04/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) causes damage in the striatum at pre- and post-synaptic sites. Exposure to METH induces long-term depletions of dopamine (DA) terminal markers such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DA transporters (DAT). METH also induces neuronal apoptosis in some striatal neurons. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate which occurs first, apoptosis of some striatal neurons or DA terminal toxicity in mice. This is important because the death of striatal neurons leaves the terminals in a state of deafferentation. A bolus injection (i.p.) of METH (30 mg/kg) induces apoptosis (TUNEL staining) in approximately 25% of neurons in the striatum at 24 h after METH. However, in contrast to apoptosis, depletion of TH (Western blotting) begins to appear at 24 h after METH in dorsal striatum while the ventral striatum is unaffected. The peak of TH depletion (approximately 80% decrease relative to control) occurs at 48 h after METH. Autoradiographic analysis of DAT sites showed that depletion begins to appear 24 h after METH and peaks at 2 days (approximately 60% depletion relative to control). Histological analysis of the induction of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by METH in striatal astrocytes revealed an increase at 48 h after METH that peaked at 3 days. These data demonstrate that striatal apoptosis precedes the depletion (toxicity) of DA terminal markers in the striatum of mice, suggesting that the ensuing state of deafferentation of the DA terminals may contribute to their degeneration.
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49
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Vorhees CV, Reed TM, Morford LL, Fukumura M, Wood SL, Brown CA, Skelton MR, McCrea AE, Rock SL, Williams MT. Periadolescent rats (P41-50) exhibit increased susceptibility to D-methamphetamine-induced long-term spatial and sequential learning deficits compared to juvenile (P21-30 or P31-40) or adult rats (P51-60). Neurotoxicol Teratol 2005; 27:117-34. [PMID: 15681126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2004.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2004] [Revised: 08/04/2004] [Accepted: 09/24/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that P11-20 treatment with d-methamphetamine (MA) induces impaired spatial navigation in the Morris water maze (MWM), whereas P1-10 treatment does not. Little is known about the long-term behavioral consequences of MA during juvenile, adolescent, and early adult brain development. In dose-response experiments, we tested successive 10-day intervals of exposure to MA in rats (P21-30, P31-40, P41-50, and P51-60; four doses per day). MA dosing prior to P21 produces little or no toxicity; however, we observed an increased toxicity with advancing age. Across-age comparisons revealed no MWM acquisition or Cincinnati water maze (CWM) effects after MA treatment on P21-30 (2.5-10 mg/kg/dose), P31-40 (1.25-7.5 mg/kg/dose), or P51-60 (1.25-5.0 mg/kg/dose); however, significantly impaired MWM acquisition was observed after P41-50 MA treatment at the highest dose (6.25 mg/kg/dose). Learning in the CWM was also impaired in this group. No effects were seen at 1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/dose following P41-50 MA treatment. MWM reversal learning trials after P41-50 treatment showed a trend towards longer latency in all MA dose groups, but no effect on double-reversal trials. Reversal and double-reversal also showed no effects at the other exposure ages. No differences in straight channel swimming or cued learning in the MWM were seen after MA treatment at any exposure age. P41-50 is the periadolescent stage of brain development in rodents. The effects observed at this age may suggest a previously unrecognized period of susceptibility for MA-induced cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles V Vorhees
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.
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50
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Jayanthi S, Deng X, Ladenheim B, McCoy MT, Cluster A, Cai NS, Cadet JL. Calcineurin/NFAT-induced up-regulation of the Fas ligand/Fas death pathway is involved in methamphetamine-induced neuronal apoptosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:868-73. [PMID: 15644446 PMCID: PMC545515 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0404990102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine [METH ("speed")] is an abused psychostimulant that can cause psychotic, cognitive, and psychomotor impairment in humans. These signs and symptoms are thought to be related to dysfunctions in basal ganglionic structures of the brain. To identify possible molecular bases for these clinical manifestations, we first used cDNA microarray technology to measure METH-induced transcriptional responses in the striatum of rats treated with an apoptosis-inducing dose of the drug. METH injection resulted in increased expression of members of the Jun, Egr, and Nur77 subfamilies of transcription factors (TFs), changes that were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Because pathways linked to these factors are involved in the up-regulation of Fas ligand (FasL), FasL mRNA was quantified and found to be increased. Immunohistochemical studies also revealed METH-induced increased FasL protein expression in striatal GABAergic neurons that express enkephalin. Moreover, there were METH-mediated increases in calcineurin, as well as shuttling of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c3 and NFATc4 from the cytosol to the nucleus of METH-treated rats, mechanisms also known to be involved in FasL regulation. Furthermore, METH induced cleavage of caspase-3 in FasL- and Fas-containing neurons. Finally, the METH-induced changes in the FasL-Fas death pathway were attenuated by pretreatment with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390, which also caused attenuation of METH-induced apoptosis. These observations indicate that METH causes some of its neurodegenerative effects, in part, via stimulation of the Fas-mediated cell death pathway consequent to FasL up-regulation mediated by activation of multiple TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Jayanthi
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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