Adolescent social isolation differentially affects synaptic function and plasticity along the dorsoventral axis of the hippocampus
Prior work by our laboratory and others have demonstrated that a rodent model of adolescent social isolation stress (aSI) produces robust and persistent increases in phenotypes relevant to alcohol addiction, including increased anxiety-like behaviors and ethanol consumption. Recent work suggests that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the hippocampus —the ventral domain of the hippocampus (vHC), in particular—are critical components of a distributed network that subserves the processing of stimuli and the gating of behavioral responses underlying stress, fear, and anxiety-like behaviors. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Antoine G. Almonte, Sarah E. Ewin, Eugenia S. Carter, Jeffrey L. Weiner Source Type: research
Repeated social defeat or repeated ethanol: Consequences on ethanol drinking and ethanol-induced psychomotor effects in mice
Exposure to ethanol promotes neuroadaptations on brain reward systems, rendering them hyper responsive to drugs. Likewise, repeated exposure to episodic social defeat stress seems to sensitize brain reward pathways, promoting cross-sensitization with drugs and increased drug intake. In contrast, exposure to continuous social defeat may induce an anhedonic state associated with the reduction of drug reward. To assess whether repeated exposure to two types of social defeat stress or repeated treatment with ethanol induces sensitization to the stimulant effect of ethanol and promotes increased voluntary ethanol consumption. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: G.C. Macedo, D. Suchecki, I.M.H. Quadros Source Type: research
Extra-hypothalamic CRF-1 receptor mechanisms in frustration stress-induced binge-like palatable food consumption in female rats
The interaction between dieting and stress is a key factor for triggering binge episodes on palatable food in human binge eaters. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) mechanisms are known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of this maladaptive behavior. The present study evaluated the effect of the CRF1 receptor antagonist R121919 and the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone in female rats in which binge eating was evoked by stress and cycles of food restrictions. Rats were first subjected or not to repeated cycles of regular chow food restriction/refeeding during which they were also given limited access (2 ...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura, Massimo Ubaldi, Maria Elena Giusepponi, Kenner C. Rice, Maurizio Massi, Roberto Ciccocioppo, Carlo Cifani Source Type: research
Assessing the contribution of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the drinking in the dark binge-like ethanol consumption model
Alcoholism and major depressive disorder (MDD) are highly comorbid disorders, both of which are major health and social concerns —costing the US a combined $300 billion each year. To date, there has yet to be a comprehensive strategy for effectively preventing, treating, or managing either of these highly prevalent and detrimental disorders. In order to create better treatments, we need a deeper understanding of the brain r egions involved and the contributions of specific neuronal subtypes. Somatostatin (SST)-expressing interneurons of the human forebrain have been implicated in MDD based on gene expression changes foun...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Nikki Crowley, Bernhard Luscher Source Type: research
Microdialysis of norepinephrine in prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum and effects of ethanol in the Long Evans rat
The catecholamines of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are involved in a number of functions including memory, attention, decision making, executive function, and reward. Ethanol alters these functions, in part, by targeting the dopaminergic system. We previously reported an increase in mPFC dopamine, using microdialysis, after acute and self-administration of ethanol. Whether these observations extend to norepinephrine, the primary neurotransmitter involved in stress remains to be established. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Saul Jaime, Ashley Vena, Rueben A. Gonzales Source Type: research
Noradrenergic adaptation and the morphine dependent brain
Opioid addiction is a chronically relapsing disease with a high risk of premature death. Currently the US is experiencing a growing opioid epidemic, where the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths has quadrupled from 2002-2013. There are currently a large number of opioid drugs that are misused and can lead to addiction, and evidence suggests that 80% of new heroin abusers previously abused prescription drugs. The central noradrenergic system plays an extensive role in modulating behaviors associated with addiction and anxiety. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Brennon Luster, Zoe McElligott Source Type: research
Inhibition of N-acylethanolamine acid amidase reverses effects of chronic binge ethanol drinking on ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron firing
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonists reduce ethanol consumption in rodent drinking models, and decrease ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neuron firing rate – suggesting a possible mechanism by which PPARα activation could regulate drinking. Signaling by endogenous PPARα agonists (oleoylethanolamide, p almitoylethanolamide) can be enhanced by blocking their hydrolysis with an inhibitor of N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), such as the compound ARN726. The aims of this project were to determine if inhibiting NAAA in vitro reduces the spontaneous firing rate of VTA DA neurons or b...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Regina Mangieri, Heather Aziz, Daniele Piomelli, Richard Morrisett Source Type: research
Intrinsic properties of central amygdala dynorphin neurons
The central amygdala (CeA) is a critical anatomical substrate for emotional regulation in response to stress, pain, and alcohol-related behaviors. While many cell-types have been identified in the CeA, much less is understood about the unique properties of these molecularly-defined neurons. We focus on a subset of neurons in the CeA expressing the neuropeptide dynorphin (Dyn+), the endogenous ligand of the kappa opioid receptor. To genetically identify dynorphinergic (Dyn) neurons, we crossed a Cre-dependent tdTomato reporter mouse to a mouse expressing Cre recombinase under the same promoter as preprodynorphin. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Jordan G. McCall, Bryan A. Copits, Vijay K. Samineni, Robert W. Gereau Source Type: research
Beta-endorphin modulates binge-like ethanol drinking in mice
Binge alcohol drinking is a widespread problem in the Unites States and has been linked to an increased risk for alcohol-related complications including the development of alcohol use disorders and alcoholism (King et al, 2011). Therefore, understanding the neural antecedents of binge drinking could elucidate underlying mechanisms and facilitate identification of potential therapeutic targets to prevent the transition from binge drinking to alcoholism. Beta-endorphin (B-E), an endogenous opioid peptide, has long been documented as a risk factor for alcoholism due in part to low basal plasma levels and an increased B-E resp...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Todd B. Nentwig, Colleen E. McGonigle, Diane E. Wilson, Erin M. Rhinehart, Judith E. Grisel Source Type: research
Restoration of Kv7.2/7.3 channel signaling reduces dependence-induced escalation of ethanol consumption
Alcohol (ethanol) dependence is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by uncontrollable, heavy alcohol consumption. Emerging evidence suggests that the expression and function of several potassium (K+) channels, including Kv7 channels, are dysregulated in the post-dependent state. Kv7 channels regulate intrinsic excitability and dependence-induced changes may reduce their capacity to regulate neuronal firing contributing to hyperexcitability during periods of ethanol withdrawal. Additionally, chronic ethanol consumption alters Kv7.2 channel trafficking, and systemic administration of FDA approved Kv7 channel ope...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Jennifer A. Rinker, Patrick J. Mulholland Source Type: research
Behavioral flexibility in conditioned responding to a reward cue: The role of the orbitofrontal cortex and adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is critical for reward valuation and is largely analogous between human and rodent. In a series of studies, we investigated the role of the rat OFC in conditioned responding to a reward-predictive cue. We hypothesized that the OFC provides top-down control over conditioned responding depending on current reward value. Moreover, based on the premise that goal tracking (conditioned approach to the reward receptacle) is a flexible behavior that is responsive to changes in reward value while sign tracking (conditioned approach to the cue) is inflexible, we predicted that OFC activity promotes goa...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Donita L. Robinson, Aric C. Madayag, Sierra J. Stringfield, Charlotte A. Boettiger Source Type: research
Effect of SB-277011-A, a D3 selective antagonist, on resting state functional connectivity in Wistar rats
The mesolimbic dopamine system plays an important role in mediating addiction to alcohol and other drugs of abuse. Just recently, a growing body of evidence emerged showing that the dopamine D3 receptor subtype is significantly involved in mechanisms of alcohol intake, as well as cue- and drug-triggered reinstatement of alcohol-seeking. Moreover, data from the literature showed that resting state connectivity within and between the reward system and the cognitive control system is compromised in alcoholics. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Giulia Scuppa, Stefano Tambalo, Angelo Bifone Source Type: research
Voluntary activity wheel running attenuates chronic intermittent ethanol induced escalation of ethanol consumption in C57BL/6J mice
Repeated cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure result in escalated voluntary ethanol consumption in mice. Exercise is being investigated as a means of assisting in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of limited access (2-hr/day, 7-days/week) wheel running on both baseline levels of ethanol consumption and CIE induced escalation of ethanol consumption. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 2 groups: wheel (WH) or no wheel (NW) with baseline drinking consisting of limited access (2 hr/day Mon-Fri) to 15% ...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: M.G. Solomon, J.E. Thompson, R.I. Anderson, H.C. Becker Source Type: research
Alcohol's effects on pair bond maintenance in male prairie voles
Previous research in our laboratory has shown that when male prairie voles consume large amounts of alcohol, that it leads to a disruption in pair bond formation. However, a majority of human literature explores the effects alcohol has on relationships that have already been established. The human literature has shown that a discrepancy in alcohol consumption leads to higher divorce rates, compared to couples in which both spouses consume heavy amounts of alcohol together. It is important to develop an animal model to understand the biological underpinnings of alcohol ’s effects on established bonds to lead to better tre...
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Andr é T. Walcott, Andrey E. Ryabinin Source Type: research
TLR3 activation increases voluntary alcohol consumption
Emerging evidence suggests that activation of neuroimmune pathways (i.e. toll-like receptor pathway) can regulate chronic ethanol consumption. TLRs initiate pro- and anti-inflammatory responses via two intracellular signaling transduction cascades: (1) MyD88-dependent and (2) TRIF-dependent pathways. All TLRs signal through MyD88 except TLR3, which can signal through both pathways. Previously our lab has shown that activation of MyD88-dependent signaling with lipopolysaccharide increases voluntary ethanol consumption and preference in mice. (Source: Alcohol)
Source: Alcohol - May 1, 2017 Category: Addiction Authors: Anna S. Warden, Adriana DaCosta, Yuri A. Blednov, R. Dayne Mayfield, R. Adron Harris Source Type: research
