1
|
Galaj E, Barrera ED, Persaud K, Nisanov R, Vashisht A, Goldberg H, Patel N, Lenhard H, You ZB, Gardner EL, Ranaldi R. The Impact of Heroin Self-Administration and Environmental Enrichment on Ventral Tegmental CRF1 Receptor Expression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:828-839. [PMID: 37864842 PMCID: PMC10726410 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a strong link between chronic stress and vulnerability to drug abuse and addiction. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is central to the stress response that contributes to continuation and relapse to heroin abuse. Chronic heroin exposure can exacerbate CRF production, leading to dysregulation of the midbrain CRF-dopamine-glutamate interaction. METHODS Here we investigated the role of midbrain CRF1 receptors in heroin self-administration and assessed neuroplasticity in CRF1 receptor expression in key opioid addiction brain regions. RESULTS Infusions of antalarmin (a CRF1 receptor antagonist) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dose dependently reduced heroin self-administration in rats but had no impact on food reinforcement or locomotor activity in rats. Using RNAscope in situ hybridization, we found that heroin, but not saline, self-administration upregulated CRF1 receptor mRNA in the VTA, particularly on dopamine neurons. AMPA GluR1 and dopamine reuptake transporter mRNA in VTA neurons were not affected by heroin. The western-blot assay showed that CRF1 receptors were upregulated in the VTA and nucleus accumbens. No significant changes in CRF1 protein expression were detected in the prefrontal cortex, insula, dorsal hippocampus, and substantia nigra. In addition, we found that 15 days of environmental enrichment implemented after heroin self-administration does not reverse upregulation of VTA CRF1 receptor mRNA but it downregulates dopamine transporter mRNA. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these data suggest that heroin self-administration requires stimulation of VTA CRF1 receptors and upregulates their expression in brain regions involved in reinforcement. Such long-lasting neuroadaptations may contribute to continuation of drug use and relapse due to stress exposure and are not easily reversed by EE exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, USA
| | - Eddy D Barrera
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NYUSA
| | - Kirk Persaud
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Rudolf Nisanov
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NYUSA
| | - Apoorva Vashisht
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NYUSA
| | - Hindy Goldberg
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Nima Patel
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Hayley Lenhard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, USA
| | - Zhi-Bing You
- Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eliot L Gardner
- Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Ranaldi
- The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NYUSA
- Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McFalls AJ, Jenney C, Stanford RS, Woodward E, Hajnal A, Grigson PS, Vrana KE. Greater avoidance of a saccharin cue paired with passive delivery of heroin is associated with a select increase in expression of CRFR2 and CRFbp in the hippocampus in rats. Brain Res Bull 2022; 191:48-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
3
|
Baumgartner HM, Granillo M, Schulkin J, Berridge KC. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems: Promoting cocaine pursuit without distress via incentive motivation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267345. [PMID: 35503756 PMCID: PMC9064096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) systems in limbic structures are posited to mediate stress-induced relapse in addiction, traditionally by generating distress states that spur drug consumption as attempts at hedonic self-medication. Yet evidence suggests that activating CRF-expressing neurons in the central amygdala (CeA) or nucleus accumbens (NAc) can magnify incentive motivation in absence of distress, at least for sucrose rewards. However, traditional CRF hypotheses in addiction neuroscience are primarily directed toward drug rewards. The question remains open whether CRF systems can similarly act via incentive motivation mechanisms to promote pursuit of drug rewards, such as cocaine. Here we tested whether optogenetic excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc medial shell, lateral CeA, or dorsolateral BNST of transgenic Crh-Cre+ rats would spur preference and pursuit of a particular laser-paired cocaine reward over an alternative cocaine reward, and whether excitation served as a positively-valenced incentive itself, through laser self-stimulation tests. We report that excitation of CRF-containing neurons in either NAc or CeA recruited mesocorticolimbic circuitry to amplify incentive motivation to pursue the laser-paired cocaine: focusing preference on the laser-paired cocaine reward in a two-choice task, and spurred pursuit as doubled breakpoint in a progressive ratio task. Crucially indicating positive-valence, excitation of CRF neurons in NAc and CeA also was actively sought after by most rats in self-stimulation tasks. Conversely, CRF neuronal activation in BNST was never self-stimulated, but failed to enhance cocaine consumption. Collectively, we find that NAc and CeA CRF-containing neurons can amplify pursuit and consumption of cocaine by positively-valenced incentive mechanisms, without any aversive distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Baumgartner
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Madeliene Granillo
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| | - Jay Schulkin
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kent C. Berridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United Started of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu R, Liu J, Vu J, Huang Y, Dietz DM, Li JX. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) in the nucleus accumbens regulates opioid-seeking behavior in male rats. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 101:37-48. [PMID: 34958862 PMCID: PMC8885906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction remains a severe health problem. While substantial insights underlying opioid addiction have been yielded from neuron-centric studies, the contribution of non-neuronal mechanisms to opioid-related behavioral adaptations has begun to be recognized. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, has been widely suggested in opioid-related behaviors. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a kinase essential for TLR4 responses, However, the potential role of IRAK4 in opioid-related responses has not been examined. Here, we explored the role of IRAK4 in cue-induced opioid-seeking behavior in male rats. We found that morphine self-administration increased the phosphorylation level of IRAK4 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in rats; the IRAK4 signaling remained activated after morphine extinction and cue-induced reinstatement test. Both systemic and local inhibition of IRAK4 in the NAc core attenuated cue-induced morphine-seeking behavior without affecting the locomotor activity and cue-induced sucrose-seeking. In addition, inhibition of IRAK4 also reduced the cue-induced reinstatement of fentanyl-seeking. Our findings suggest an important role of IRAK4 in opioid relapse-like behaviors and provide novel evidence in the association between innate immunity and drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY,Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jimmy Vu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Yufei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - David M. Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Matzeu A, Martin-Fardon R. Blockade of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in the central amygdala prevents cocaine-seeking behaviour induced by orexin-A administered to the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus in male rats. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E459-E471. [PMID: 34318655 PMCID: PMC8519495 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.200213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orexin-A (OrxA) administration in the posterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (pPVT) reinstates extinguished cocaine-seeking behaviour following extended access to the drug (a model of dependence). The pPVT receives and integrates information associated with emotionally salient events and sends excitatory inputs to brain regions involved in the expression of emotional states, such as those driving cocaine-seeking behaviour (i.e., the nucleus accumbens, the central nucleus of the amygdala [CeA], the basolateral amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis [BNST] and the prefrontal cortex). METHODS We monitored the activation pattern of these regions (measured by Fos) during cocaine-seeking induced by OrxA administered to the pPVT. The BNST and CeA emerged as being selectively activated. To test whether the functionality of these regions was pivotal during OrxA-induced cocaine-seeking behaviour, we transiently inactivated these regions concomitantly with OrxA administration to the pPVT. We then tested the participation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptors (CRF1) in the CeA during OrxA-induced cocaine-seeking using the CRF1 antagonist CP154526. RESULTS We observed selective activation of the CeA and BNST during cocaine-seeking induced by OrxA administered to the pPVT, but only transient inactivation of the CeA prevented cocaine-seeking behaviour. Administration of CP154526 to the CeA prevented OrxAinduced cocaine-seeking behaviour. LIMITATIONS The use of only male rats could have been a limitation. Other limitations could have been the use of an indirect approach to test the hypothesis that administration of OrxA to the pPVT drives cocaine-seeking via CRF1 signalling in the CeA, and a lack of analysis of the participation of CeA subregions. CONCLUSION Cocaine-seeking behaviour induced by OrxA administered to the pPVT is driven by activation of the CeA via CRF1 signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Matzeu
- From The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA (Matzeu, Martin-Fardon)
| | - Rémi Martin-Fardon
- From The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA (Matzeu, Martin-Fardon)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Serafine KM, O'Dell LE, Zorrilla EP. Converging vulnerability factors for compulsive food and drug use. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108556. [PMID: 33862029 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Highly palatable foods and substance of abuse have intersecting neurobiological, metabolic and behavioral effects relevant for understanding vulnerability to conditions related to food (e.g., obesity, binge eating disorder) and drug (e.g., substance use disorder) misuse. Here, we review data from animal models, clinical populations and epidemiological evidence in behavioral, genetic, pathophysiologic and therapeutic domains. Results suggest that consumption of highly palatable food and drugs of abuse both impact and conversely are regulated by metabolic hormones and metabolic status. Palatable foods high in fat and/or sugar can elicit adaptation in brain reward and withdrawal circuitry akin to substances of abuse. Intake of or withdrawal from palatable food can impact behavioral sensitivity to drugs of abuse and vice versa. A robust literature suggests common substrates and roles for negative reinforcement, negative affect, negative urgency, and impulse control deficits, with both highly palatable foods and substances of abuse. Candidate genetic risk loci shared by obesity and alcohol use disorders have been identified in molecules classically associated with both metabolic and motivational functions. Finally, certain drugs may have overlapping therapeutic potential to treat obesity, diabetes, binge-related eating disorders and substance use disorders. Taken together, data are consistent with the hypotheses that compulsive food and substance use share overlapping, interacting substrates at neurobiological and metabolic levels and that motivated behavior associated with feeding or substance use might constitute vulnerability factors for one another. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
Collapse
|
7
|
Marusich JA, Gay EA, Watson SL, Blough BE. Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone and mephedrone self-administration produce differential neurochemical changes following short- or long-access conditions in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 897:173935. [PMID: 33577836 PMCID: PMC7965342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Stimulant-induced neurochemical changes may occur at different times for different brain regions or neurotransmitter systems. This study sought to examine the behavioral and neurochemical effects of extended access to α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) and 4-methylmethcathinone (4MMC). Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer α-PVP (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) or 4MMC (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) through autoshaping, and then self-administered for 21 days during 1 h (short access; ShA) or 6 h (long access; LgA) sessions. Separate rats were assigned to a naïve control group. Amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum, and thalamus were extracted, and tissue was analyzed with electrochemical detection and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Rats acquired self-administration of α-PVP and 4MMC, and LgA rats showed more escalation of self-administration than ShA rats. Synthetic cathinone administration produced several effects on neurotransmitters. LgA self-administration of α-PVP increased 5-HIAA levels in all brain regions, compared to control. In contrast, both LgA and ShA 4MMC self-administration decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in most brain regions. LgA exposure to both synthetic cathinones increased DOPAC levels in hypothalamus and striatum, and increased HVA levels in striatum compared to control. LgA self-administration of either synthetic cathinone produced region-specific increases in NE levels, whereas ShA self-administration lowered NE levels in select locations compared to control. These alterations in neurotransmitter levels indicate that synthetic cathinone use may produce differential neurochemical changes during the transition from use to abuse, and that 21 days of self-administration only models the beginning stages of dysregulated drug intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Marusich
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Elaine A Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Scott L Watson
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Bruce E Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bardo MT, Hammerslag LR, Malone SG. Effect of early life social adversity on drug abuse vulnerability: Focus on corticotropin-releasing factor and oxytocin. Neuropharmacology 2021; 191:108567. [PMID: 33862030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity can set the trajectory for later psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. There are a host of neurobiological factors that may play a role in the negative trajectory. The current review examines preclinical evidence suggesting that early life adversity specifically involving social factors (maternal separation, adolescent social isolation and adolescent social defeat) may influence drug abuse vulnerability by strengthening corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems and weakening oxytocin (OT) systems. In adulthood, pharmacological and genetic evidence indicates that both CRF and OT systems are directly involved in drug reward processes. With early life adversity, numerous studies show an increase in drug abuse vulnerability measured in adulthood, along a concomitant strengthening of CRF systems and a weakening of OT systems. Mechanistic studies, while relatively few in number, are generally consistent with the theme that strengthened CRF systems and weakened OT systems mediate, at least in part, the link between early life adversity and drug abuse vulnerability. Establishing a direct role of CRF and OT in mediating the relation between early life social stressors and drug abuse vulnerability will inform clinical researchers and practitioners toward the development of intervention strategies to reduce risk among those suffering from early life adversities. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA.
| | - Lindsey R Hammerslag
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Samantha G Malone
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lynch WJ, Bakhti-Suroosh A, Abel JM, Davis C. Shifts in the neurobiological mechanisms motivating cocaine use with the development of an addiction-like phenotype in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:811-23. [PMID: 33241478 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The development of addiction is accompanied by a shift in the mechanisms motivating cocaine use from nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) signaling to glutamate AMPA-kainate receptor (AMPA-R) signaling. OBJECTIVE Here, we determined whether similar shifts occur for NAc-D2R signaling and following systemic manipulation of D1R, D2R, and AMPA-R signaling. METHODS Male rats were given short-access (20 infusions/day) or extended-access to cocaine (24 h/day, 96 infusions/day, 10 days). Motivation for cocaine was assessed following 14 days of abstinence using a progressive-ratio schedule. Once responding stabilized, the effects of NAc-D2R antagonism (eticlopride; 0-10.0 μg/side) and systemic D1R (SCH-23390; 0-1.0 mg/kg), D2R (eticlopride; 0-0.1 mg/kg), and AMPA-R (CNQX; 0-1.5 mg/kg) antagonism, and NAc-dopamine-R gene expression (Drd1/2/3) were examined. RESULTS Motivation for cocaine was markedly higher in the extended- versus short-access group confirming the development of an addiction-like phenotype in the extended-access group. NAc-infused eticlopride decreased motivation for cocaine in both the short- and extended-access groups although low doses (0.1-0.3 μg) were more effective in the short-access group and high doses (3-10 μg/side) tended to be more effective in the extended-access group. Systemic administration of eticlopride (0.1 mg/kg) was more effective in the extended-access group, and systemic administration of CNQX was effective in the extended- but not short-access group. NAc-Drd2 expression was decreased in both the short- and extended-access groups. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that in contrast to NAc-D1R, D2R remain critical for motivating cocaine use with the development of an addiction-like phenotype. These findings also indicate that shifts in the mechanisms motivating cocaine use impact the response to both site-specific and systemic pharmacological treatment.
Collapse
|
10
|
McGinn MA, Pantazis CB, Tunstall BJ, Marchette RCN, Carlson ER, Said N, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. Drug addiction co-morbidity with alcohol: Neurobiological insights. Int Rev Neurobiol 2021; 157:409-72. [PMID: 33648675 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Addiction is a chronic disorder that consists of a three-stage cycle of binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation. These stages involve, respectively, neuroadaptations in brain circuits involved in incentive salience and habit formation, stress surfeit and reward deficit, and executive function. Much research on addiction focuses on the neurobiology underlying single drug use. However, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be co-morbid with substance use disorder (SUD), called dual dependence. The limited epidemiological data on dual dependence indicates that there is a large population of individuals suffering from addiction who are dependent on more than one drug and/or alcohol, yet dual dependence remains understudied in addiction research. Here, we review neurobiological data on neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems that are known to contribute to addiction pathology and how the involvement of these systems is consistent or divergent across drug classes. In particular, we highlight the dopamine, opioid, corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, hypocretin/orexin, glucocorticoid, neuroimmune signaling, endocannabinoid, glutamate, and GABA systems. We also discuss the limited research on these systems in dual dependence. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the use of multiple drugs can produce neuroadaptations that are distinct from single drug use. Further investigation into the neurobiology of dual dependence is necessary to develop effective treatments for addiction to multiple drugs.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Compulsive drug seeking that is associated with addiction is hypothesized to follow a heuristic framework that involves three stages (binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation) and three domains of dysfunction (incentive salience/pathologic habits, negative emotional states, and executive function, respectively) via changes in the basal ganglia, extended amygdala/habenula, and frontal cortex, respectively. This review focuses on neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations that contribute to hyperkatifeia, defined as a greater intensity of negative emotional/motivational signs and symptoms during withdrawal from drugs of abuse in the withdrawal/negative affect stage of the addiction cycle. Hyperkatifeia provides an additional source of motivation for compulsive drug seeking via negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement reflects an increase in the probability of a response to remove an aversive stimulus or drug seeking to remove hyperkatifeia that is augmented by genetic/epigenetic vulnerability, environmental trauma, and psychiatric comorbidity. Neurobiological targets for hyperkatifeia in addiction involve neurocircuitry of the extended amygdala and its connections via within-system neuroadaptations in dopamine, enkephalin/endorphin opioid peptide, and γ-aminobutyric acid/glutamate systems and between-system neuroadaptations in prostress corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, glucocorticoid, dynorphin, hypocretin, and neuroimmune systems and antistress neuropeptide Y, nociceptin, endocannabinoid, and oxytocin systems. Such neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations are hypothesized to mediate a negative hedonic set point that gradually gains allostatic load and shifts from a homeostatic hedonic state to an allostatic hedonic state. Based on preclinical studies and translational studies to date, medications and behavioral therapies that reset brain stress, antistress, and emotional pain systems and return them to homeostasis would be promising new targets for medication development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The focus of this review is on neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations that contribute to hyperkatifeia, defined as a greater intensity of negative emotional/motivational signs and symptoms during withdrawal from drugs of abuse in the withdrawal/negative affect stage of the drug addiction cycle and a driving force for negative reinforcement in addiction. Medications and behavioral therapies that reverse hyperkatifeia by resetting brain stress, antistress, and emotional pain systems and returning them to homeostasis would be promising new targets for medication development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Seeliger C, Lippold JV, Reuter M. Variation on the CRH Gene Determines the Different Performance of Opioid Addicts and Healthy Controls in the IOWA Gambling Task. Neuropsychobiology 2020; 79:150-160. [PMID: 31805553 DOI: 10.1159/000504227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the biological substrate of stress reactivity, and related genetic variations play a crucial role in the initiation and maintenance of drug addiction. On the behavioral level, substance abusers are characterized by impulsivity and the inability to pursue long-term goals. The neural substrate of these behaviors is assumed to be related to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). One of the most established paradigms to assess VMPFC deficiency is the IOWA gambling task (IGT). AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the interplay between the HPA axis-related genetic variation on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; secreted from the hypothalamus and constituting the starting point of the HPA axis) gene and opioid addiction, with respect to IGT performance. There is some evidence that stress and pathological HPA axis hyperactivity, in the same way as drug addiction, is related to a poorer IGT performance. METHODS In total, 138 long-term opioid addicts (mean age 38.63 years [SD 9.15]) and 160 healthy controls (mean age 22.57 years [SD 5.86]) performed the IGT and were genotyped for 6 SNPs covering the CRH gene and adjacent regions (rs3176921, rs6999780, rs7816410, rs1870393, rs1814583, and rs11996294). The first 5 of these 6 SNPs build a haplotype block spanning 15 kb on the CRH gene. RESULTS We found a significant group difference in the total IGT score, with higher scores in controls than in opioids. Most interestingly, there was a 3-way interaction, group × haplotype × block. Carriers homozygous for the TGTAA-haplotype differed in IGT performance dependent on group. In the control group, carriers homozygous for the TGTAA-haplotype showed a linear learning curve across blocks of trials, which was not observed in participants without this homozygosity. There were diametric effects in opioid addicts. Controlling for age and gender did not change the findings. CONCLUSION This study provides genetic evidence for the interplay between stress, decision-making, and opioid addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Seeliger
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia V Lippold
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gyawali U, Martin DA, Sulima A, Rice KC, Calu DJ. Role of BNST CRFR1 Receptors in Incubation of Fentanyl Seeking. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:153. [PMID: 33088264 PMCID: PMC7493668 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The time-dependent increase in cue-triggered opioid seeking, termed “incubation of opioid craving,” is modeled in rodents by examining responding for opioid-associated cues after a period of forced abstinence. With opioid drugs, withdrawal symptoms may heighten cue reactivity by recruiting brain systems involved in both reward seeking and stress responses. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical driver of stress-induced relapse to drug seeking. Here, we sought to determine whether BNST CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) signaling drives incubation of opioid craving in opioid dependent and non-dependent rats. First, we tested whether BNST CRFR1 signaling drives incubation of opioid craving in rats with short-access fentanyl self-administration experience (2.5 μg/kg/infusion, 3 h/day for 10 days). On Day 1 of forced abstinence, we gave bilateral intra-BNST vehicle injections to all rats and measured lever responding for opioid cues in the absence of fentanyl infusions. On Day 30 of forced abstinence, we gave an identical test after bilateral intra-BNST injections of vehicle or CRFR1 receptor antagonist, R121919 (1 μg/0.3 μL/hemisphere). Vehicle treated rats showed greater responding for opioid associated cues on Day 30 relative to Day 1, and this incubation effect was prevented by intra-BNST R121919 on Day 30. Next, we incorporated an opioid-dependence procedure to investigate whether BNST CRFR1 signaling drives opioid cue-reactivity to a greater extent in opioid-dependent relative to non-dependent rats. We trained rats to self-administer fentanyl for 5 days before initiating the dependence phase and resuming daily fentanyl self-administration sessions for 10 days. We gave intra-BNST R121919 or vehicle injections before testing during acute (Day 5) or protracted (Day 30) withdrawal. During acute withdrawal, antagonizing BNST CRFR1 decreased the number of press bouts without affecting bout size or duration. These patterns of responding with R121919 treatment resulted in less fentanyl-associated conditioned reinforcement during test. Together, these findings suggest a role for BNST CRFR1 signaling in driving cue-reinforced opioid seeking after periods of forced abstinence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Utsav Gyawali
- Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David A Martin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Donna J Calu
- Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Joshi DD, Puaud M, Fouyssac M, Belin‐Rauscent A, Everitt B, Belin D. The anterior insular cortex in the rat exerts an inhibitory influence over the loss of control of heroin intake and subsequent propensity to relapse. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:4115-4126. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval D. Joshi
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Mickaël Puaud
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Maxime Fouyssac
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | | | - Barry Everitt
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - David Belin
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Genders SG, Scheller KJ, Djouma E. Neuropeptide modulation of addiction: Focus on galanin. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:133-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
16
|
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder that, whilst initially driven by activation of brain reward neurocircuits, increasingly engages anti-reward neurocircuits that drive adverse emotional states and relapse. However, successful recovery is possible with appropriate treatment, although with a persisting propensity to relapse. The individual and public health burdens of OUD are immense; 26.8 million people were estimated to be living with OUD globally in 2016, with >100,000 opioid overdose deaths annually, including >47,000 in the USA in 2017. Well-conducted trials have demonstrated that long-term opioid agonist therapy with methadone and buprenorphine have great efficacy for OUD treatment and can save lives. New forms of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone are also being studied. Some frequently used approaches have less scientifically robust evidence but are nevertheless considered important, including community preventive strategies, harm reduction interventions to reduce adverse sequelae from ongoing use and mutual aid groups. Other commonly used approaches, such as detoxification alone, lack scientific evidence. Delivery of effective prevention and treatment responses is often complicated by coexisting comorbidities and inadequate support, as well as by conflicting public and political opinions. Science has a crucial role to play in informing public attitudes and developing fuller evidence to understand OUD and its associated harms, as well as in obtaining the evidence today that will improve the prevention and treatment interventions of tomorrow.
Collapse
|
17
|
Koob GF. Neurobiology of Opioid Addiction: Opponent Process, Hyperkatifeia, and Negative Reinforcement. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:44-53. [PMID: 31400808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.5] [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: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are powerful drugs that usurp and overpower the reward function of endogenous opioids and engage dramatic tolerance and withdrawal via molecular and neurocircuitry neuroadaptations within the same reward system. However, they also engage the brain systems for stress and pain (somatic and emotional) while producing hyperalgesia and hyperkatifeia, which drive pronounced drug-seeking behavior via processes of negative reinforcement. Hyperkatifeia (derived from the Greek "katifeia" for dejection or negative emotional state) is defined as an increase in intensity of the constellation of negative emotional or motivational signs and symptoms of withdrawal from drugs of abuse. In animal models, repeated extended access to drugs or opioids results in negative emotion-like states, reflected by the elevation of reward thresholds, lower pain thresholds, anxiety-like behavior, and dysphoric-like responses. Such negative emotional states that drive negative reinforcement are hypothesized to derive from the within-system dysregulation of key neurochemical circuits that mediate incentive-salience and/or reward systems (dopamine, opioid peptides) in the ventral striatum and from the between-system recruitment of brain stress systems (corticotropin-releasing factor, dynorphin, norepinephrine, hypocretin, vasopressin, glucocorticoids, and neuroimmune factors) in the extended amygdala. Hyperkatifeia can extend into protracted abstinence and interact with learning processes in the form of conditioned withdrawal to facilitate relapse to compulsive-like drug seeking. Compelling evidence indicates that plasticity in the brain pain emotional systems is triggered by acute excessive drug intake and becomes sensitized during the development of compulsive drug taking with repeated withdrawal. It then persists into protracted abstinence and contributes to the development and persistence of compulsive opioid-seeking behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kakko J, Alho H, Baldacchino A, Molina R, Nava FA, Shaya G. Craving in Opioid Use Disorder: From Neurobiology to Clinical Practice. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:592. [PMID: 31543832 PMCID: PMC6728888 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major public health issue that has reached epidemic levels in some parts of the world. It is a chronic and complex neurobiological disease associated with frequent relapse to drug taking. Craving, defined as an overwhelmingly strong desire or need to use a drug, is a central component of OUD and other substance use disorders. In this review, we describe the neurobiological and neuroendocrine pathways that underpin craving in OUD and also focus on the importance of assessing and treating craving in clinical practice. Craving is strongly associated with patients returning to opioid misuse and is therefore an important treatment target to reduce the risk of relapse and improve patients' quality of life. Opioid agonist therapies (OAT), such as buprenorphine and methadone, can significantly reduce craving and relapse risk, and it is essential that patients are treated optimally with these therapies. There is also evidence to support the benefits of non-pharmacological approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions, as supplementary treatments to opioid agonist therapies. However, despite the positive impact of these treatments on craving, many OUD patients continue to suffer with negative affect and dysphoria. There is a clear need for further studies to progress our understanding of the neurobiological basis of craving and addiction and to identify novel therapeutic strategies as well as to optimize the use of existing treatments to improve outcomes for the growing numbers of patients affected by OUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan Kakko
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hannu Alho
- Department of Public Health Solutions, The Alcohol, Drugs and Addictions Unit, National Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexander Baldacchino
- Division of Population and Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Rocío Molina
- Centro de Atencion a las Adicciones de Arganzuela, Madrid Salud, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Felice Alfonso Nava
- Director Penitentiary Medicine and Drug Abuse Unit, Health Care Unit Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gabriel Shaya
- Medical Affairs, Indivior UK Ltd, Slough, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Drug addiction or substance-use disorder is a chronically relapsing disorder that progresses through binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation stages. These stages represent diverse neurobiological mechanisms that are differentially involved in the transition from recreational to compulsive drug use and from positive to negative reinforcement. The progression from recreational to compulsive substance use is associated with downregulation of the brain reward systems and upregulation of the brain stress systems. Individual differences in the neurobiological systems that underlie the processing of reward, incentive salience, habits, stress, pain, and executive function may explain (i) the vulnerability to substance-use disorder; (ii) the diversity of emotional, motivational, and cognitive profiles of individuals with substance-use disorders; and (iii) heterogeneous responses to cognitive and pharmacological treatments. Characterization of the neuropsychological mechanisms that underlie individual differences in addiction-like behaviors is the key to understanding the mechanisms of addiction and development of personalized pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier George
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Meng Q, Kim HC, Oh S, Lee YM, Hu Z, Oh KW. Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Plays Critical Role in Psychostimulant-Induced Depression. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2018; 26:425-431. [PMID: 30157614 PMCID: PMC6131014 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2018.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter expressed in the central nervous systems. Previously, several reports demonstrated that nucleus accumbal-injected CART peptide positively modulated behavioral sensitization induced by psychostimulants and regulated the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway. It is confirmed that CART peptide exerted inhibitory effect on psychostimulant-enhanced dopamine receptors signaling, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling and crucial transcription factors expression. Besides modulation of dopamine receptors-related pathways, CART peptide also exhibited elaborated interactions with other neurotransmitter receptors, such as glutamate receptors and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, which further account for attribution of CART peptide to inhibition of psychostimulant-potentiated locomotor activity. Recently, CART peptide has been shown to have anxiolytic functions on the aversive mood and uncontrolled drug-seeking behaviors following drug withdrawal. Moreover, microinjection of CART peptide has been shown to have an anti-depressant effect, which suggests its potential utility in the mood regulation and avoidance of depression-like behaviors. In this review, we discuss CART pathways in neural circuits and their interactions with neurotransmitters associated with psychostimulant-induced depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Meng
- Queen Mary Institute, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 33006, China
| | - Hyoung-Chun Kim
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seikwan Oh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and TIDRC, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Moon Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Osong 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhenzhen Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 33006, China
| | - Ki-Wan Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Osong 28160, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kreisler AD, Mattock M, Zorrilla EP. The duration of intermittent access to preferred sucrose-rich food affects binge-like intake, fat accumulation, and fasting glucose in male rats. Appetite 2018; 130:59-69. [PMID: 30063959 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many people restrict their palatable food intake. In animal models, time-limiting access to palatable foods increases their intake while decreasing intake of less preferred alternatives; negative emotional withdrawal-like behavior is sometimes reported. In drug addiction models, intermittent extended access drives greater changes in use than brief access. When it comes to palatable food, the impact of briefer vs. longer access durations within intermittent access conditions remains unclear. Here, we provided male rats with chow or with weekday access to a preferred, sucrose-rich diet (PREF) (2, 4, or 8 h daily) with chow otherwise available. Despite normal energy intake, all restricted access conditions increased weight gain by 6 weeks and shifted diet acceptance within 1 week. They increased daily and 2-h intake of PREF with individual vulnerability and decreased chow intake. Rats with the briefest access had the greatest binge-like (2-h) intake, did not lose weight on weekends despite undereating chow, and were fattier by 12 weeks. Extended access rats (8 h) showed the greatest daily intake of preferred food and corresponding undereating of chow, slower weight gain when PREF was unavailable, and more variable daily energy intake from week to week. Increased fasting glucose was seen in 2-h and 8-h access rats. During acute withdrawal from PREF to chow diet, restricted access rats showed increased locomotor activity. Thus, intermittent access broadly promoted weight gain, fasting hyperglycemia and psychomotor arousal during early withdrawal. More restricted access promoted greater binge-like intake and fat accumulation, whereas longer access promoted evidence of greater food reward tolerance.
Collapse
|
22
|
Bickel WK, Mellis AM, Snider SE, Athamneh LN, Stein JS, Pope DA. 21st century neurobehavioral theories of decision making in addiction: Review and evaluation. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 164:4-21. [PMID: 28942119 PMCID: PMC5747999 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [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: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This review critically examines neurobehavioral theoretical developments in decision making in addiction in the 21st century. We specifically compare each theory reviewed to seven benchmarks of theoretical robustness, based on their ability to address: why some commodities are addictive; developmental trends in addiction; addiction-related anhedonia; self-defeating patterns of behavior in addiction; why addiction co-occurs with other unhealthy behaviors; and, finally, means for the repair of addiction. We have included only self-contained theories or hypotheses which have been developed or extended in the 21st century to address decision making in addiction. We thus review seven distinct theories of decision making in addiction: learning theories, incentive-sensitization theory, dopamine imbalance and systems models, opponent process theory, strength models of self-control failure, the competing neurobehavioral decision systems theory, and the triadic systems theory of addiction. Finally, we have directly compared the performance of each of these theories based on the aforementioned benchmarks, and highlighted key points at which several theories have coalesced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren K Bickel
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Roanoke, VA, United States; Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States; Faculty of Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Alexandra M Mellis
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Sarah E Snider
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Liqa N Athamneh
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Stein
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Derek A Pope
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
George O. Individual differences in the neuropsychopathology of addiction. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2017; 19:217-229. [PMID: 29302219 PMCID: PMC5741105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Drug addiction or substance-use disorder is a chronically relapsing disorder that progresses through binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation stages. These stages represent diverse neurobiological mechanisms that are differentially involved in the transition from recreational to compulsive drug use and from positive to negative reinforcement. The progression from recreational to compulsive substance use is associated with downregulation of the brain reward systems and upregulation of the brain stress systems. Individual differences in the neurobiological systems that underlie the processing of reward, incentive salience, habits, stress, pain, and executive function may explain (i) the vulnerability to substance-use disorder; (ii) the diversity of emotional, motivational, and cognitive profiles of individuals with substance-use disorders; and (iii) heterogeneous responses to cognitive and pharmacological treatments. Characterization of the neuropsychological mechanisms that underlie individual differences in addiction-like behaviors is the key to understanding the mechanisms of addiction and development of personalized pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier George
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Drug addiction is a complex disorder that is characterized by compulsivity to seek and take the drug, loss of control in limiting intake of the drug, and emergence of a withdrawal syndrome in the absence of the drug. The transition from casual drug use to dependence is mediated by changes in reward and brain stress functions and has been linked to a shift from positive reinforcement to negative reinforcement. The recruitment of brain stress systems mediates the negative emotional state produced by dependence that drives drug seeking through negative reinforcement mechanisms, defined as the "dark side" of addiction. In this chapter we focus on behavioral and cellular neuropharmacological studies that have implicated brain stress systems (i.e., corticotropin-releasing factor [CRF]) in the transition to addiction and the predominant brain regions involved. We also discuss the implication of CRF recruitment in compulsive eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Roberto
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | | | - Dean Kirson
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
An increasing emphasis has been placed on the development and use of animal models of addiction that capture defining features of human drug addiction, including escalation/binge drug use, enhanced motivation for the drug, preference for the drug over other reward options, use despite negative consequences, and enhanced drug-seeking/relapse vulnerability. The need to examine behavior in both males and females has also become apparent given evidence demonstrating that the addiction process occurs differently in males and females. This review discusses the procedures that are used to model features of addiction in animals, as well as factors that influence their development. Individual differences are also discussed, with a particular focus on sex differences. While no one procedure consistently produces all characteristics, different models have been developed to focus on certain characteristics. A history of escalating/binge patterns of use appears to be critical for producing other features characteristic of addiction, including an enhanced motivation for the drug, enhanced drug seeking, and use despite negative consequences. These characteristics tend to emerge over abstinence, and appear to increase rather than decrease in magnitude over time. In females, these characteristics develop sooner during abstinence and/or following less drug exposure as compared to males, and for psychostimulant addiction, may require estradiol. Although preference for the drug over other reward options has been demonstrated in non-human primates, it has been more difficult to establish in rats. Future research is needed to define the parameters that optimally induce each of these features of addiction in the majority of animals. Such models are essential for advancing our understanding of human drug addiction and its treatment in men and women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Koob GF. Antireward, compulsivity, and addiction: seminal contributions of Dr. Athina Markou to motivational dysregulation in addiction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1315-1332. [PMID: 28050629 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Addiction is defined as a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking that is hypothesized to derive from multiple sources of motivational dysregulation. METHODS AND RESULTS Dr. Athina Markou made seminal contributions to our understanding of the neurobiology of addiction with her studies on the dysregulation of reward function using animal models with construct validity. Repeated overstimulation of the reward systems with drugs of abuse decreases reward function, characterized by brain stimulation reward and presumbably reflecting dysphoria-like states. The construct of negative reinforcement, defined as drug taking that alleviates a negative emotional state that is created by drug abstinence, is particularly relevant as a driving force in both the withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation stages of the addiction cycle. CONCLUSIONS The negative emotional state that drives such negative reinforcement is hypothesized to derive from the dysregulation of key neurochemical circuits that drive incentive-salience/reward systems (dopamine, opioid peptides) in the ventral striatum and from the recruitment of brain stress systems (corticotropin-releasing factor, dynorphin) within the extended amygdala. As drug taking becomes compulsive-like, the factors that motivate behavior are hypothesized to shift to drug-seeking behavior that is driven not only by positive reinforcement but also by negative reinforcement. This shift in motivation is hypothesized to reflect the allostatic misregulation of hedonic tone such that drug taking makes the hedonic negative emotional state worse during the process of seeking temporary relief with compulsive drug taking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2001, Suite 2000, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Holly EN, Boyson CO, Montagud-Romero S, Stein DJ, Gobrogge KL, DeBold JF, Miczek KA. Episodic Social Stress-Escalated Cocaine Self-Administration: Role of Phasic and Tonic Corticotropin Releasing Factor in the Anterior and Posterior Ventral Tegmental Area. J Neurosci 2016; 36:4093-105. [PMID: 27053215 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2232-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Intermittent social defeat stress escalates later cocaine self-administration. Reward and stress both activate ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, increasing downstream extracellular dopamine concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. The stress neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and its receptors (CRF-R1, CRF-R2) are located in the VTA and influence dopaminergic activity. These experiments explore how CRF release and the activation of its receptors within the VTA both during and after stress influence later cocaine self-administration in rats.In vivo microdialysis of CRF in the VTA demonstrated that CRF is phasically released in the posterior VTA (pVTA) during acute defeat, but, with repeated defeat, CRF is recruited into the anterior VTA (aVTA) and CRF tone is increased in both subregions. Intra-VTA antagonism of CRF-R1 in the pVTA and CRF-R2 in the aVTA during each social defeat prevented escalated cocaine self-administration in a 24 h "binge." VTA CRF continues to influence cocaine seeking in stressed animals long after social defeat exposure. Unlike nonstressed controls, previously stressed rats show significant cocaine seeking after 15 d of forced abstinence. Previously stressed rats continue to express elevated CRF tone within the VTA and antagonism of pVTA CRF-R1 or aVTA CRF-R2 reverses cocaine seeking. In conclusion, these experiments demonstrate neuroadaptive changes in tonic and phasic CRF with repeated stress, that CRF release during stress may contribute to later escalated cocaine taking, and that persistently elevated CRF tone in the VTA may drive later cocaine seeking through increased activation of pVTA CRF-R1 and aVTA CRF-R2. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has emerged as a likely candidate molecule underlying the fundamental link between stress history and escalated drug self-administration. However, the nature of CRF release in the VTA during acute and repeated stress, as well as its role in enduring neuroadaptations driving later drug taking and seeking, are poorly understood. These experiments explore how CRF is released and interacts with its receptors in specific regions of the VTA both during and after stress to fuel later escalated cocaine taking and seeking behavior. Understanding these acute and persistent changes to the VTA CRF system may lead to better therapeutic interventions for addiction.
Collapse
|
28
|
McFalls AJ, Imperio CG, Bixler G, Freeman WM, Grigson PS, Vrana KE. Reward devaluation and heroin escalation is associated with differential expression of CRF signaling genes. Brain Res Bull 2015; 123:81-93. [PMID: 26655889 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the most damaging aspects of drug addiction is the degree to which natural rewards (family, friends, employment) are devalued in favor of seeking, obtaining and taking drugs. We have utilized an animal model of reward devaluation and heroin self-administration to explore the role of the coricotropin releasing factor (CRF) pathway. Given access to a saccharin cue followed by the opportunity to self-administer heroin, animals will parse into distinct phenotypes that suppress their saccharin intake (in favor of escalating heroin self-administration) or vice versa. We find that large saccharin suppressors (large heroin takers) demonstrate increased mRNA expression for elements of the CRF signaling pathway (CRF, CRF receptors and CRF binding protein) within the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral tegmental area. Moreover, there were no gene expression changes of these components in the nucleus accumbens. Use of bisulfite conversion sequencing suggests that changes in CRF binding protein and CRF receptor gene expression may be mediated by differential promoter methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley J McFalls
- Departments of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Caesar G Imperio
- Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Georgina Bixler
- Departments of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Patricia Sue Grigson
- Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Kent E Vrana
- Departments of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Drug abuse represents a considerable burden of disease and has enormous economic impacts on societies. Over the years, few medications have been developed for clinical use. Their utilization is endowed with several limitations, including partial efficacy or significant side effects. On the other hand, the successful advancement of these compounds provides an important proof of concept for the feasibility of drug development programs in addiction. In recent years, a wealth of information has been generated on the psychological mechanisms, genetic or epigenetic predisposing factors, and neurobiological adaptations induced by drug consumption that interact with each other to contribute to disease progression. It is now clear that addiction develops through phases, from initial recreational use to excessive consumption and compulsive drug seeking, with a shift from positive to negative reinforcement driving motivated behaviors. A greater understanding of these mechanisms has opened new vistas in drug development programs. Researchers' attention has been shifted from investigation of classical targets associated with reward to biological substrates responsible for negative reinforcement, impulse loss of control, and maladaptive mechanisms resulting from protracted drug use. From this research, several new biological targets for the development of innovative therapies have started to emerge. This chapter offers an overview of targets currently under scrutiny for the development of new medications for addiction. This work is not exhaustive but rather it provides a few examples of how this research has advanced in recent years by virtue of studies carried out in our laboratory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
The identification of a heuristic framework for the stages of the addiction cycle that are linked to neurocircuitry changes in pathophysiology includes the binge/intoxication stage, the withdrawal/negative affect stage, and the preoccupation/anticipation (craving) stage, which represent neuroadaptations in three neurocircuits (basal ganglia, extended amygdala, and frontal cortex, respectively). The identification of excellent and validated animal models, the development of human laboratory models, and an enormous surge in our understanding of neurocircuitry and neuropharmacological mechanisms have provided a revisionist view of addiction that emphasizes the loss of brain reward function and gain of stress function that drive negative reinforcement (the dark side of addiction) as a key to compulsive drug seeking. Reversing the dark side of addiction not only explains much of the existing successful pharmacotherapies for addiction but also points to vast new opportunities for future medications to alleviate this major source of human suffering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037; ,
| | - Barbara J Mason
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037; ,
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
The transition from recreational drug use to addiction can be conceptualized as a pathological timeline whereby the psychological mechanisms responsible for disordered drug use evolve from positive reinforcement to favor elements of negative reinforcement. Abused substances (ranging from alcohol to psychostimulants) are initially ingested at regular occasions according to their positive reinforcing properties. Importantly, repeated exposure to rewarding substances sets off a chain of secondary reinforcing events, whereby cues and contexts associated with drug use may themselves become reinforcing and thereby contribute to the continued use and possible abuse of the substance(s) of choice. Indeed, the powerful reinforcing efficacy of certain drugs may eclipse that of competing social rewards (such as career and family) and lead to an aberrant narrowing of behavioral repertoire. In certain vulnerable individuals, escalation of drug use over time is thought to drive specific molecular neuroadaptations that foster the development of addiction. Research has identified neurobiological elements of altered reinforcement following excessive drug use that comprise within-circuit and between-circuit neuroadaptations, both of which contribute to addiction. Central to this process is the eventual potentiation of negative reinforcement mechanisms that may represent the final definitive criterion locking vulnerable individuals into a persistent state of addiction. Targeting the neural substrates of reinforcement likely represents our best chances for therapeutic intervention for this devastating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Emotions are "feeling" states and classic physiological emotive responses that are interpreted based on the history of the organism and the context. Motivation is a persistent state that leads to organized activity. Both are intervening variables and intimately related and have neural representations in the brain. The present thesis is that drugs of abuse elicit powerful emotions that can be interwoven conceptually into this framework. Such emotions range from pronounced euphoria to a devastating negative emotional state that in the extreme can create a break with homeostasis and thus an allostatic hedonic state that has been considered key to the etiology and maintenance of the pathophysiology of addiction. Drug addiction can be defined as a three-stage cycle-binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation-that involves allostatic changes in the brain reward and stress systems. Two primary sources of reinforcement, positive and negative reinforcement, have been hypothesized to play a role in this allostatic process. The negative emotional state that drives negative reinforcement is hypothesized to derive from dysregulation of key neurochemical elements involved in the brain incentive salience and stress systems. Specific neurochemical elements in these structures include not only decreases in incentive salience system function in the ventral striatum (within-system opponent processes) but also recruitment of the brain stress systems mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), dynorphin-κ opioid systems, and norepinephrine, vasopressin, hypocretin, and substance P in the extended amygdala (between-system opponent processes). Neuropeptide Y, a powerful anti-stress neurotransmitter, has a profile of action on compulsive-like responding for drugs similar to a CRF1 receptor antagonist. Other stress buffers include nociceptin and endocannabinoids, which may also work through interactions with the extended amygdala. The thesis argued here is that the brain has specific neurochemical neurocircuitry coded by the hedonic extremes of pleasant and unpleasant emotions that have been identified through the study of opponent processes in the domain of addiction. These neurochemical systems need to be considered in the context of the framework that emotions involve the specific brain regions now identified to differentially interpreting emotive physiological expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Schmeichel BE, Barbier E, Misra KK, Contet C, Schlosburg JE, Grigoriadis D, Williams JP, Karlsson C, Pitcairn C, Heilig M, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. Hypocretin receptor 2 antagonism dose-dependently reduces escalated heroin self-administration in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:1123-9. [PMID: 25367502 PMCID: PMC4367454 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [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: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) system has been associated with both positive and negative drug reinforcement, implicating HCRT receptor 1 (HCRT-R1) signaling in drug-related behaviors for all major drug classes, including opioids. However, to date there are limited studies investigating the role of HCRT receptor 2 (HCRT-R2) signaling in compulsive-like drug seeking. Escalation of drug intake with extended access has been suggested to model the transition from controlled drug use to compulsive-like drug seeking/taking. The current study examined the effects of a HCRT-R2 antagonist, NBI-80713, on heroin self-administration in rats allowed short- (1 h; ShA) or long- (12 h; LgA) access to intravenous heroin self-administration. Results indicate that systemically administered NBI-80713 dose-dependently decreased heroin self-administration in LgA, but not in ShA, animals. Quantitative PCR analyses showed an increase in Hcrtr2 mRNA levels in the central amygdala, a stress-related brain region, of LgA rats. These observations suggest a functional role for HCRT-R2 signaling in compulsive-like heroin self-administration associated with extended access and indicate HCRT-R2 antagonism as a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of heroin dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Schmeichel
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Estelle Barbier
- Laboratories of Neurogenetics and Clinical and Translational Studies, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kaushik K Misra
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Camilla Karlsson
- Laboratories of Neurogenetics and Clinical and Translational Studies, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Caleb Pitcairn
- Laboratories of Neurogenetics and Clinical and Translational Studies, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Markus Heilig
- Laboratories of Neurogenetics and Clinical and Translational Studies, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Park PE, Schlosburg JE, Vendruscolo LF, Schulteis G, Edwards S, Koob GF. Chronic CRF1 receptor blockade reduces heroin intake escalation and dependence-induced hyperalgesia. Addict Biol 2015; 20:275-84. [PMID: 24330252 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [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: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Opioids represent effective drugs for the relief of pain, yet chronic opioid use often leads to a state of increased sensitivity to pain that is exacerbated during withdrawal. A sensitization of pain-related negative affect has been hypothesized to closely interact with addiction mechanisms. Neuro-adaptive changes occur as a consequence of excessive opioid exposure, including a recruitment of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and norepinephrine (NE) brain stress systems. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the transition to dependence, we determined the effects of functional antagonism within these two systems on hyperalgesia-like behavior during heroin withdrawal utilizing models of both acute and chronic dependence. We found that passive or self-administered heroin produced a significant mechanical hypersensitivity. During acute opioid dependence, systemic administration of the CRF1 receptor antagonist MPZP (20 mg/kg) alleviated withdrawal-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. In contrast, several functional adrenergic system antagonists (clonidine, prazosin, propranolol) failed to alter mechanical hypersensitivity in this state. We then determined the effects of chronic MPZP or clonidine treatment on extended access heroin self-administration and found that MPZP, but not clonidine, attenuated escalation of heroin intake, whereas both drugs alleviated chronic dependence-associated hyperalgesia. These findings suggest that an early potentiation of CRF signaling occurs following opioid exposure that begins to drive both opioid-induced hyperalgesia and eventually intake escalation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula E. Park
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California; La Jolla CA USA
| | - Joel E. Schlosburg
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
| | - Leandro F. Vendruscolo
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
| | - Gery Schulteis
- Research Service; VA San Diego Healthcare System; San Diego CA USA
- Department of Anesthesiology; San Diego School of Medicine; University of California; San Diego CA USA
| | - Scott Edwards
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
- Department of Physiology; LSU Health Sciences Center; New Orleans LA USA
| | - George F. Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Drug addiction is a syndrome of dysregulated motivation, evidenced by intense drug craving and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. In the search for 'common neurobiological substrates of addiction to different classes of drugs, behavioral neuroscientists have attempted to determine the neural basis for a number of motivational concepts and describe how they are changed by repeated drug use. Here, we describe these concepts and summarize previous work describing three major neural systems that play distinct roles in different conceptual aspects of motivation: (1) a nigrostriatal system that is involved in two forms of instrumental learning, (2) a ventral striatal system that is involved in Pavlovian incentive motivation and negative reinforcement, and (3) frontal cortical areas that regulate decision making and motivational processes. Within striatal systems, drug addiction can involve a transition from goal-oriented, incentive processes to automatic, habit-based responding. In the cortex, weak inhibitory control is a predisposing factor to, as well as a consequence of, repeated drug intake. However, these transitions are not absolute, and addiction can occur without a transition to habit-based responding, occurring as a result of the overvaluation of drug outcomes and hypersensitivity to incentive properties of drug-associated cues. Finally, we point out that addiction is not monolithic and can depend not only on individual differences between addicts, but also on the neurochernical action of specific drug classes.
Collapse
|
36
|
Schank JR, King CE, Sun H, Cheng K, Rice KC, Heilig M, Weinshenker D, Schroeder JP. The role of the neurokinin-1 receptor in stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol and cocaine seeking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:1093-101. [PMID: 24173499 PMCID: PMC3957103 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1Rs) have been shown to mediate alcohol and opiate, but not cocaine reward in rodents. We recently reported that NK1R antagonism also blocks stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats, but it is presently unknown whether these antirelapse properties extend to other drug classes. Although some work has suggested that intracranial substance P (SP) infusion reinstates cocaine seeking following extinction, no studies have indicated a direct role for the NK1R in reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Here, we explored the effect of the NK1R antagonist L822429 on yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol or cocaine seeking in Long-Evans rats. Consistent with our previous findings with footshock-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in Wistar rats, we found that L822429 attenuates yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, but does not affect baseline alcohol self-administration. We observed a similar suppression of yohimbine-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking by L822429, and found that Long-Evans rats exhibit greater sensitivity to NK1R antagonism than Wistar rats. Accordingly, Long-Evans rats exhibit differences in the expression of NK1Rs in some subcortical brain regions. Combined, our findings suggest that while NK1R antagonism differentially influences alcohol- and cocaine-related behavior, this receptor mediates stress-induced seeking of both drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse R Schank
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA,National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Building 10-CRC, Room 1-5330, Bethesda, MD 20892-1108, USA, Tel: +1 301 402 5305, Fax: +1 301 402 0445, E-mail:
| | - Courtney E King
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hui Sun
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kejun Cheng
- Chemical Biology Branch, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Chemical Biology Branch, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Markus Heilig
- Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zorrilla EP, Logrip ML, Koob GF. Corticotropin releasing factor: a key role in the neurobiology of addiction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2014; 35:234-44. [PMID: 24456850 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [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: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by loss of control over intake and dysregulation of stress-related brain emotional systems. Since the discovery by Wylie Vale and his colleagues of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the structurally-related urocortins, CRF systems have emerged as mediators of the body's response to stress. Relatedly, CRF systems have a prominent role in driving addiction via actions in the central extended amygdala, producing anxiety-like behavior, reward deficits, excessive, compulsive-like drug self-administration and stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. CRF neuron activation in the medial prefrontal cortex may also contribute to the loss of control. Polymorphisms in CRF system molecules are associated with drug use phenotypes in humans, often in interaction with stress history. Drug discovery efforts have yielded brain-penetrant CRF1 antagonists with activity in preclinical models of addiction. The results support the hypothesis that brain CRF-CRF1 systems contribute to the etiology and maintenance of addiction.
Collapse
|
38
|
Koob GF, Buck CL, Cohen A, Edwards S, Park PE, Schlosburg JE, Schmeichel B, Vendruscolo LF, Wade CL, Whitfield TW, George O. Addiction as a stress surfeit disorder. Neuropharmacology 2014; 76 Pt B:370-82. [PMID: 23747571 PMCID: PMC3830720 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [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: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction has been conceptualized as a chronically relapsing disorder of compulsive drug seeking and taking that progresses through three stages: binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation. Drug addiction impacts multiple motivational mechanisms and can be conceptualized as a disorder that progresses from positive reinforcement (binge/intoxication stage) to negative reinforcement (withdrawal/negative affect stage). The construct of negative reinforcement is defined as drug taking that alleviates a negative emotional state. Our hypothesis is that the negative emotional state that drives such negative reinforcement is derived from dysregulation of key neurochemical elements involved in the brain stress systems within the frontal cortex, ventral striatum, and extended amygdala. Specific neurochemical elements in these structures include not only recruitment of the classic stress axis mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the extended amygdala as previously hypothesized but also recruitment of dynorphin-κ opioid aversive systems in the ventral striatum and extended amygdala. Additionally, we hypothesized that these brain stress systems may be engaged in the frontal cortex early in the addiction process. Excessive drug taking engages activation of CRF not only in the extended amygdala, accompanied by anxiety-like states, but also in the medial prefrontal cortex, accompanied by deficits in executive function that may facilitate the transition to compulsive-like responding. Excessive activation of the nucleus accumbens via the release of mesocorticolimbic dopamine or activation of opioid receptors has long been hypothesized to subsequently activate the dynorphin-κ opioid system, which in turn can decrease dopaminergic activity in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Blockade of the κ opioid system can also block anxiety-like and reward deficits associated with withdrawal from drugs of abuse and block the development of compulsive-like responding during extended access to drugs of abuse, suggesting another powerful brain stress/anti-reward system that contributes to compulsive drug seeking. Thus, brain stress response systems are hypothesized to be activated by acute excessive drug intake, to be sensitized during repeated withdrawal, to persist into protracted abstinence, and to contribute to the development and persistence of addiction. The recruitment of anti-reward systems provides a powerful neurochemical basis for the negative emotional states that are responsible for the dark side of addiction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'NIDA 40th Anniversary Issue'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, SP30-2400, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
RATIONALE Accumulating evidence indicates that brain kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) and dynorphin, the endogenous ligand that binds at these receptors, are involved in regulating states of motivation and emotion. These findings have stimulated interest in the development of KOR-targeted ligands as therapeutic agents. As one example, it has been suggested that KOR antagonists might have a wide range of indications, including the treatment of depressive, anxiety, and addictive disorders, as well as conditions characterized by co-morbidity of these disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) A general effect of reducing the impact of stress may explain how KOR antagonists can have efficacy in such a variety of animal models that would appear to represent different disease states. OBJECTIVE Here, we review evidence that disruption of KOR function attenuates prominent effects of stress. We will describe behavioral and molecular endpoints including those from studies that characterize the effects of KOR antagonists and KOR ablation on the effects of stress itself, as well as on the effects of exogenously delivered corticotropin-releasing factor, a brain peptide that mediates key effects of stress. CONCLUSION Collectively, available data suggest that KOR disruption produces anti-stress effects and under some conditions can prevent the development of stress-induced adaptations. As such, KOR antagonists may have unique potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment and even prevention of stress-related psychiatric illness, a therapeutic niche that is currently unfilled.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology
- Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use
- Anxiety Disorders/drug therapy
- Anxiety Disorders/metabolism
- Anxiety Disorders/psychology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/physiopathology
- Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Dynorphins/genetics
- Dynorphins/metabolism
- Humans
- Ligands
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/psychology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee Van't Veer
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, MRC 217, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Park PE, Vendruscolo LF, Schlosburg JE, Edwards S, Schulteis G, Koob GF. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α 2 adrenergic receptors mediate heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle in rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 16:1867-75. [PMID: 23590881 DOI: 10.1017/S1461145713000308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety is one of the early symptoms of opioid withdrawal and contributes to continued drug use and relapse. The acoustic startle response (ASR) is a component of anxiety that has been shown to increase during opioid withdrawal in both humans and animals. We investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and norepinephrine (NE), two key mediators of the brain stress system, on acute heroin withdrawal-potentiated ASR. Rats injected with heroin (2 mg/kg s.c.) displayed an increased ASR when tested 4 h after heroin treatment. A similar increase in ASR was found in rats 10-20 h into withdrawal from extended access (12 h) to i.v. heroin self-administration, a model that captures several aspects of heroin addiction in humans. Both the α 2 adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine (10 μg/kg s.c.) and CRF1 receptor antagonist N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-amine (MPZP; 20 mg/kg s.c.) blocked heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle. To investigate the relationship between CRF1 and α 2 adrenergic receptors in the potentiation of the ASR, we tested the effect of MPZP on yohimbine (1.25 mg/kg s.c.)-potentiated startle and clonidine on CRF (2 μg i.c.v.)-potentiated startle. Clonidine blocked CRF-potentiated startle, whereas MPZP partially attenuated but did not reverse yohimbine-potentiated startle, suggesting that CRF may drive NE release to potentiate startle. These results suggest that CRF1 and α 2 receptors play an important role in the heightened anxiety-like behaviour observed during acute withdrawal from heroin, possibly via CRF inducing the release of NE in stress-related brain regions.
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Drug addiction can be defined by a three-stage cycle - binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation - that involves allostatic changes in the brain reward and stress systems. Two primary sources of reinforcement, positive and negative reinforcement, have been hypothesized to play a role in this allostatic process. The negative emotional state that drives negative reinforcement is hypothesized to derive from dysregulation of key neurochemical elements involved in the brain reward and stress systems. Specific neurochemical elements in these structures include not only decreases in reward system function (within-system opponent processes) but also recruitment of the brain stress systems mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and dynorphin-κ opioid systems in the ventral striatum, extended amygdala, and frontal cortex (both between-system opponent processes). CRF antagonists block anxiety-like responses associated with withdrawal, block increases in reward thresholds produced by withdrawal from drugs of abuse, and block compulsive-like drug taking during extended access. Excessive drug taking also engages the activation of CRF in the medial prefrontal cortex, paralleled by deficits in executive function that may facilitate the transition to compulsive-like responding. Neuropeptide Y, a powerful anti-stress neurotransmitter, has a profile of action on compulsive-like responding for ethanol similar to a CRF1 antagonist. Blockade of the κ opioid system can also block dysphoric-like effects associated with withdrawal from drugs of abuse and block the development of compulsive-like responding during extended access to drugs of abuse, suggesting another powerful brain stress system that contributes to compulsive drug seeking. The loss of reward function and recruitment of brain systems provide a powerful neurochemical basis that drives the compulsivity of addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George F. Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sedki F, Abbas Z, Angelis S, Martin J, D'Cunha T, Shalev U. Is it stress? The role of stress related systems in chronic food restriction-induced augmentation of heroin seeking in the rat. Front Neurosci 2013; 7:98. [PMID: 23761730 PMCID: PMC3674335 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by recurring episodes of abstinence and relapse. The precise mechanisms underlying this pattern are yet to be elucidated, but stress is thought to be a major factor in relapse. Recently, we reported that rats under withdrawal and exposed to a mild chronic stressor, prolonged food restriction, show increased heroin seeking compared to sated controls. Previous studies demonstrated a critical role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticosterone, hormones involved in the stress response, in acute food deprivation-induced reinstatement of extinguished drug seeking. However, the role of CRF and corticosterone in chronic food restriction-induced augmentation of drug seeking remains unknown. Here, male Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer heroin for 10 days in operant conditioning chambers. Rats were then removed from the training chambers, and subjected to 14 days of unrestricted (sated rats) or a mildly restricted (FDR rats) access to food, which maintained their body weight (BW) at 90% of their baseline weight. On day 14, different groups of rats were administered a selective CRF1 receptor antagonist (R121919; 0.0, 20.0 mg/kg; s.c.), a non-selective CRF receptor antagonist (α-helical CRF; 0.0, 10.0, 25.0 μg/rat; i.c.v.) or a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (RU486; 0.0, 30.0 mg/kg; i.p.), and underwent a 1 h drug seeking test under extinction conditions. An additional group of rats was tested following adrenalectomy. All FDR rats showed a statistically significant increase in heroin seeking compared to the sated rats. No statistically significant effects for treatment with α-helical CRF, R121919, RU486 or adrenalectomy were observed. These findings suggest that stress may not be a critical factor in the augmentation of heroin seeking in food-restricted rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Firas Sedki
- Department of Psychology, Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology/Groupe de Recherche en Neurobiologie Comportementale, Concordia University Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Cohen A, George O. Animal models of nicotine exposure: relevance to second-hand smoking, electronic cigarette use, and compulsive smoking. Front Psychiatry 2013; 4:41. [PMID: 23761766 PMCID: PMC3671664 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Much evidence indicates that individuals use tobacco primarily to experience the psychopharmacological properties of nicotine and that a large proportion of smokers eventually become dependent on nicotine. In humans, nicotine acutely produces positive reinforcing effects, including mild euphoria, whereas a nicotine abstinence syndrome with both somatic and affective components is observed after chronic nicotine exposure. Animal models of nicotine self-administration and chronic exposure to nicotine have been critical in unveiling the neurobiological substrates that mediate the acute reinforcing effects of nicotine and emergence of a withdrawal syndrome during abstinence. However, important aspects of the transition from nicotine abuse to nicotine dependence, such as the emergence of increased motivation and compulsive nicotine intake following repeated exposure to the drug, have only recently begun to be modeled in animals. Thus, the neurobiological mechanisms that are involved in these important aspects of nicotine addiction remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe the different animal models available to date and discuss recent advances in animal models of nicotine exposure and nicotine dependence. This review demonstrates that novel animal models of nicotine vapor exposure and escalation of nicotine intake provide a unique opportunity to investigate the neurobiological effects of second-hand nicotine exposure, electronic cigarette use, and the mechanisms that underlie the transition from nicotine use to compulsive nicotine intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ami Cohen
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Theberge FR, Li X, Kambhampati S, Pickens CL, St Laurent R, Bossert JM, Baumann MH, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Watkins LR, Shaham Y. Effect of chronic delivery of the Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone on incubation of heroin craving. Biol Psychiatry 2013; 73:729-37. [PMID: 23384483 PMCID: PMC3615146 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [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: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence implicates toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in opioid analgesia, tolerance, conditioned place preference, and self-administration. Here, we determined the effect of the TLR4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone (a μ-opioid receptor inactive isomer) on the time-dependent increases in cue-induced heroin seeking after withdrawal (incubation of heroin craving). METHODS In an initial experiment, we trained rats for 9 hours per day to self-administer heroin (.1 mg/kg/infusion) for 9 days; lever presses were paired with a 5-second tone-light cue. We then assessed cue-induced heroin seeking in 30-minute extinction sessions on withdrawal day 1; immediately after testing, we surgically implanted rats with Alzet minipumps delivering (+)-naltrexone (0, 7.5, 15, 30 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) for 14 days. We then tested the rats for incubated cue-induced heroin seeking in 3-hour extinction tests on withdrawal day 13. RESULTS We found that chronic delivery of (+)-naltrexone via minipumps during the withdrawal phase decreased incubated cue-induced heroin seeking. In follow-up experiments, we found that acute injections of (+)-naltrexone immediately before withdrawal day 13 extinction tests had no effect on incubated cue-induced heroin seeking. Furthermore, chronic delivery of (+)-naltrexone (15 or 30 mg/kg/day) or acute systemic injections (15 or 30 mg/kg) had no effect on ongoing extended access heroin self-administration. Finally, in rats trained to self-administer methamphetamine (.1 mg/kg/infusion, 9 hours/day, 9 days), chronic delivery of (+)-naltrexone (30 mg/kg/day) during the withdrawal phase had no effect on incubated cue-induced methamphetamine seeking. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest a critical role of TLR4 in the development of incubation of heroin, but not methamphetamine, craving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence R Theberge
- Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Williams AM, Reis DJ, Powell AS, Neira LJ, Nealey KA, Ziegler CE, Kloss N, Bilimoria JL, Smith CE, Walker BM. The effect of intermittent alcohol vapor or pulsatile heroin on somatic and negative affective indices during spontaneous withdrawal in Wistar rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; 223:75-88. [PMID: 22461104 PMCID: PMC3419345 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2691-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Once dependent on alcohol or opioids, negative affect may accompany withdrawal. Dependent individuals are hypothesized to "self-medicate" in order to cope with withdrawal, which promotes escalated alcohol and drug use. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to develop a reliable animal model to assess symptoms that occur during spontaneous alcohol and opioid withdrawal. METHODS Dependence was induced using intermittent alcohol exposure or pulsatile heroin delivery and assessed for the presence of withdrawal symptoms during acute withdrawal by measuring somatic signs, behavior in the forced swim test (FST), and air-puff-induced 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Additional animals subjected to 8 weeks of alcohol vapor exposure were evaluated for altered somatic signs, operant alcohol self-administration, and 22-kHz USV production, as well as performance in the elevated plus maze (EPM). RESULTS During spontaneous withdrawal from pulsatile heroin or intermittent alcohol vapor, animals displayed increased somatic withdrawal signs, FST immobility, and 22-kHz USV production but did not show any behavioral change in the EPM unless the duration of alcohol exposure was extended to 4 weeks. Following 8 weeks of alcohol vapor exposure, animals displayed somatic withdrawal signs, escalated alcohol self-administration, and increased 22-kHz USVs. CONCLUSIONS These paradigms provide consistent methods to evaluate the behavioral ramifications, and neurobiological substrates, of alcohol and opioid dependence during spontaneous withdrawal. As immobility in the FST and percent open-arm time in the EPM were dissociable, with 22-kHz USVs paralleling immobility in the FST, assessment of air-puff-induced 22-kHz USVs could provide an ethologically valid alternative to the FST.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Williams
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Daniel J. Reis
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Alexa S. Powell
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Louis J. Neira
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Kathryn A. Nealey
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Cole E. Ziegler
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Nina Kloss
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Jessica L. Bilimoria
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Chelsea E. Smith
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Brendan M. Walker
- Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA,Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA,Translational Addiction Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA,Corresponding Author: Dr. Brendan M. Walker, Laboratory of Alcoholism and Addictions Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program, Translational Addiction Research Center, 100 Dairy Road, Mail Code: 644820, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4820, 509-335-8526 (phone), 509-335-5043 (fax),
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cohen A, Koob GF, George O. Robust escalation of nicotine intake with extended access to nicotine self-administration and intermittent periods of abstinence. Neuropsychopharmacology 2012; 37:2153-60. [PMID: 22549121 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although established smokers have a very regular pattern of smoking behavior, converging lines of evidence suggest that the escalation of smoking behavior is a critical factor in the development of dependence. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the escalation of smoking are unknown, because there is no animal model of the escalation of nicotine intake. On the basis of the pattern of smoking behavior in humans and presence of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in tobacco smoke, we hypothesized that the escalation of nicotine intake may only occur when animals are given extended-access (21 h per day) self-administration sessions after repeated periods of abstinence (24-48 h), and after chronic inhibition of monoamine oxidase using phenelzine sulfate. Intermittent access (every 24-48 h) to extended nicotine self-administration produced a robust escalation of nicotine intake, associated with increased responding under fixed- and progressive-ratio schedules of reinforcement, and increased somatic signs of withdrawal. The escalation of nicotine intake was not observed in rats with intermittent access to limited (1 h per day) nicotine self-administration or daily access to extended (21 h per day) nicotine self-administration. Moreover, inhibition of monoamine oxidase with daily administration of phenelzine increased nicotine intake by ≈ 50%. These results demonstrate that the escalation of nicotine intake only occurs in animals given intermittent periods of abstinence with extended access to nicotine, and that inhibition of monoamine oxidase may contribute to the escalation of smoking, thus validating both an animal model of the escalation of smoking behavior and the contribution of monoamine oxidase inhibition to compulsive nicotine-seeking.
Collapse
|
47
|
Parylak SL, Cottone P, Sabino V, Rice KC, Zorrilla EP. Effects of CB1 and CRF1 receptor antagonists on binge-like eating in rats with limited access to a sweet fat diet: lack of withdrawal-like responses. Physiol Behav 2012; 107:231-42. [PMID: 22776620 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Revised: 06/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Positive reinforcement (e.g., appetitive, rewarding properties) has often been hypothesized to maintain excessive intake of palatable foods. Recently, rats receiving intermittent access to high sucrose diets showed binge-like intake with withdrawal-like signs upon cessation of access, suggesting negative reinforcement mechanisms contribute as well. Whether intermittent access to high fat diets also produces withdrawal-like syndromes is controversial. The present study therefore tested the hypothesis that binge-like eating and withdrawal-like anxiety would arise in a novel model of binge eating based on daily 10-min access to a sweet fat diet (35% fat kcal, 31% sucrose kcal). Within 2-3 weeks, female Wistar rats developed binge-like intake comparable to levels seen previously for high sucrose diets (~40% of daily caloric intake within 10 min) plus excess weight gain and adiposity, but absent increased anxiety-like behavior during elevated plus-maze or defensive withdrawal tests after diet withdrawal. Binge-like intake was unaffected by pretreatment with the corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonist R121919, and corticosterone responses to restraint stress did not differ between sweet-fat binge rats and chow-fed controls. In contrast, pretreatment with the cannabinoid type 1 (CB(1)) receptor antagonist SR147778 dose-dependently reduced binge-like intake, albeit less effectively than in ad lib chow or sweet fat controls. A priming dose of the sweet fat diet did not precipitate increased anxiety-like behavior, but rather increased plus-maze locomotor activity. The results suggest that CB(1)-dependent positive reinforcement rather than CRF(1)-dependent negative reinforcement mechanisms predominantly maintain excessive intake in this limited access model of sweet-fat diet binges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Parylak
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr 0634, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Pietro Cottone
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, R-618, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Valentina Sabino
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Laboratory of Addictive Disorders, Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, R-618, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 5625 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eric P Zorrilla
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr 0634, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
George O, Le Moal M, Koob GF. Allostasis and addiction: role of the dopamine and corticotropin-releasing factor systems. Physiol Behav 2012; 106:58-64. [PMID: 22108506 PMCID: PMC3288230 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [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: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Allostasis, originally conceptualized to explain persistent morbidity of arousal and autonomic function, is defined as the process of achieving stability through physiological or behavioral change. Two types of biological processes have been proposed to describe the mechanisms underlying allostasis in drug addiction, a within-system adaptation and a between-system adaptation. In the within-system process, the drug elicits an opposing, neutralizing reaction within the same system in which the drug elicits its primary and unconditioned reinforcing actions, while in the between-system process, different neurobiological systems that the one initially activated by the drug are recruited. In this review, we will focus our interest on alterations in the dopaminergic and corticotropin releasing factor systems as within-system and between-system neuroadaptations respectively, that underlie the opponent process to drugs of abuse. We hypothesize that repeated compromised activity in the dopaminergic system and sustained activation of the CRF-CRF1R system with withdrawal episodes may lead to an allostatic load contributing significantly to the transition to drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier George
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Edwards S, Vendruscolo LF, Schlosburg JE, Misra KK, Wee S, Park PE, Schulteis G, Koob GF. Development of mechanical hypersensitivity in rats during heroin and ethanol dependence: alleviation by CRF₁ receptor antagonism. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:1142-51. [PMID: 22119954 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of drug dependence have described both reductions in brain reward processes and potentiation of stress-like (or anti-reward) mechanisms, including a recruitment of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling. Accordingly, chronic exposure to opiates often leads to the development of mechanical hypersensitivity. We measured paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) in male Wistar rats allowed limited (short access group: ShA) or extended (long access group: LgA) access to heroin or cocaine self-administration, or in rats made dependent on ethanol via ethanol vapor exposure (ethanol-dependent group). In heroin self-administering animals, after transition to LgA conditions, thresholds were reduced to around 50% of levels observed at baseline, and were also significantly lower than thresholds measured in animals remaining on the ShA schedule. In contrast, thresholds in animals self-administering cocaine under either ShA (1 h) or LgA (6 h) conditions were unaltered. Similar to heroin LgA rats, ethanol-dependent rats also developed mechanical hypersensitivity after eight weeks of ethanol vapor exposure compared to non-dependent animals. Systemic administration of the CRF1R antagonist MPZP significantly alleviated the hypersensitivity observed in rats dependent on heroin or ethanol. The emergence of mechanical hypersensitivity with heroin and ethanol dependence may thus represent one critical drug-associated negative emotional state driving dependence on these substances. These results also suggest a recruitment of CRF-regulated nociceptive pathways associated with escalation of intake and dependence. A greater understanding of relationships between chronic drug exposure and pain-related states may provide insight into mechanisms underlying the transition to drug addiction, as well as reveal new treatment opportunities. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Edwards
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sinha R, Shaham Y, Heilig M. Translational and reverse translational research on the role of stress in drug craving and relapse. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 218:69-82. [PMID: 21494792 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [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: 11/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND High relapse rates during abstinence are a pervasive problem in drug addiction treatment. Relapse is often associated with stress exposure, which can provoke a subjective state of drug craving that can also be demonstrated under controlled laboratory conditions. Stress-induced relapse and craving in humans can be modeled in mice, rats, and monkeys using a reinstatement model in which drug-taking behaviors are extinguished and then reinstated by acute exposure to certain stressors. Studies using the reinstatement model in rats have identified the role of several neurotransmitters and brain sites in stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking, but the degree to which these preclinical findings are relevant to the human condition is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES AND HIGHLIGHTS Here, we address this topic by discussing recent results on the effect of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and substance P-NK1 receptor antagonists on stress-induced reinstatement in mice and rats and stress-induced craving and potentially stress-induced relapse in humans. We also discuss brain sites and circuits involved in stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking in rats and those activated during stress-induced craving in humans. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists and NK1 receptor antagonists decrease stress-induced drug seeking in rats and stress-induced craving in humans. Whether these drugs would also prevent stress-induced drug relapse in humans and whether similar or different brain mechanisms are involved in stress-induced reinstatement in non-humans and stress-induced drug craving and relapse in humans are subjects for future research.
Collapse
|