Review
Neurosciences
Janna K. Moen, Anna M. Lee
Summary: Alcohol and nicotine, the two most widely used and misused drugs globally, show significant sex differences in their rewarding properties, yet most preclinical studies on their mechanisms utilize only male rodents. Understanding the influence of sex and sex hormones on alcohol and nicotine reward is crucial for developing therapies to reduce drug consumption.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
M. Adrienne McGinn, Brendan J. Tunstall, Joel E. Schlosburg, Adriana Gregory-Flores, Olivier George, Giordano de Guglielmo, Barbara J. Mason, Hazel J. Hunt, George F. Koob, Leandro F. Vendruscolo
Summary: The study demonstrated the potential of GR modulators in reducing alcohol consumption, with different effects observed in different circumstances. These findings provide insights for the development of treatments for AUD.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiao-Tao Jin, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: The interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is involved in nicotine dependence and regulation of fear responses, affective states, and novelty processing. Neurons in the IPN express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and receive cholinergic innervation. Studies have shown that IPL neurons express Chrna7 (alpha 7 nAChR subunit) and are sensitive to acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of cholinergic modulation in the IPN.
Article
Neurosciences
Melissa A. Tapia, Xiao-Tao Jin, Brenton R. Tucker, Leanne N. Thomas, Noah B. Walker, Veronica J. Kim, Steven E. Albertson, Naresh Damuka, Ivan Krizan, Seby Edassery, Jeffrey N. Savas, Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai, Sara R. Jones, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: This study investigated the behavior and neurobiological effects of intermittent nicotine intake in rats. The results suggest that intermittent nicotine intake may lead to increased craving and enhanced response to nicotine-associated cues. Additionally, intermittent nicotine intake also caused increased nicotine binding in the brain and specific changes in the proteome of certain neural structures.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca J. Howard
Summary: The superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels plays crucial roles in electrochemical signal transduction across evolution, with increasing structural studies focusing on three model subfamilies. Common themes include gating mechanisms and diversity beyond the protein level.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Diana Carreno, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: A genetic variant (rs2304297) in the CHRNA6 gene has been found to play a key role in adolescent nicotine addiction. This variant selectively enhances nicotine + cue-primed reinstatement, without affecting baseline effects on natural rewards.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elvira R. Shaykhutdinova, Maria S. Severyukhina, Inna V. Kholoshenko, Elena A. Gondarenko, Irina V. Shelukhina, Elena V. Kryukova, Alina M. Ismailova, Elena S. Sadovnikova, Igor A. Dyachenko, Arkady N. Murashev, Victor I. Tsetlin, Yuri N. Utkin
Summary: Evidence suggests that activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can reduce cardiac injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion. In this study, the expression of a4, a6, and a132 nAChR subunits in the rat heart's left ventricle was demonstrated. The nAChR agonists cytisine and varenicline, commonly used for nicotine addiction treatment, were found to significantly reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, with varenicline showing greater protection. The presence of a4132, a7, and/or a6132-containing receptors suggests that the protective effect of varenicline may be mediated by these subunits. These findings indicate a potential new use for cytisine and varenicline as cardioprotective agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Apinan Kanasuwan, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Sumet Chongruchiroj, Jiradanai Sarasamkan, Chanisa Chotipanich, Opa Vajragupta, Kuntarat Arunrungvichian
Summary: In this study, alpha(3)beta(4) nAChR ligands were designed and synthesized to improve the binding affinity and selectivity of two lead compounds, (S)-QND8 and (S)-T2, for the development of an alpha(3)beta(4) nAChR tracer. AK3 showed the highest binding affinity and selectivity to alpha(3)beta(4) nAChR, making it a promising tracer for drug addiction. The structural modification included retaining key features, expanding the molecular structure, and introducing a benzyloxy group for increased lipophilicity and extended ligand-receptor interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Macpherson Uchenna Nnam, James E. Effiong, David O. Iloma, Imbur M. Terfa, Benjamin Okorie Ajah
Summary: In recent times, the increase in lack of morality, grandiose identity, emotional insecurity, impulsivity, and manipulative behaviors have been identified as random traits that contribute to students' tendency to cheat and manipulate others. This study explored the relationship between hazardous drinking, selected demographic factors, and social aversive personality traits among a group of 264 purposively sampled undergraduate students. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between hazardous alcohol use and dependence syndrome. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the hypothesis that demographic variables and dark triad traits jointly predict hazardous drinking.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suzanne J. van den Toren, Amy van Grieken, Hein Raat
Summary: Research shows that adolescent nitrous oxide use is associated with factors such as ethnic background, education levels, mental health issues, binge drinking, and cannabis use.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan Patwell, Hyerim Yang, Subhash C. Pandey, Elizabeth J. Glover
Summary: The study identified three distinct operant phenotypes for ethanol intake and highlighted important strain differences in appetitive and consummatory behaviors. The findings suggest that increased incentive for ethanol, rather than palatability, drives greater consumption in Drinkers compared to Responders. Furthermore, withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure resulted in increased appetitive responding in both Drinkers and Responders, but only Drinkers exhibited a concomitant increase in ethanol consumption.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Chen, Guibin Wang, Wen Zhang, Ying Han, Libo Zhang, Hubo Xu, Shiqiu Meng, Lin Lu, Yanxue Xue, Jie Shi
Summary: This study found that rats with compulsive cocaine use showed increased neural activity in the anterior insular cortex and enhanced orbitofrontal cortex-anterior insular cortex circuit. Manipulating the activity of anterior insular cortex glutamatergic neurons and the orbitofrontal cortex-anterior insular cortex circuit bidirectionally regulated compulsive cocaine intake.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Davidson, Peter Giacobbe, Tony P. George, Sean M. Nestor, Jennifer S. Rabin, Maged Goubran, Alexander J. Nyman, Anusha Baskaran, Ying Meng, Christopher B. Pople, Simon J. Graham, Fred Tam, Clement Hamani, Nir Lipsman
Summary: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common and difficult-to-treat illness. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has shown potential in reducing alcohol-related symptoms. Clinical and imaging studies have found that NAc-DBS can lead to decreased metabolism in the NAc, reduced functional connectivity to other brain regions, and decreased activation in neural circuits related to alcohol cue-reactivity, resulting in improvements in AUD.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
David Nutt, Alexandra Hayes, Leon Fonville, Rayyan Zafar, Emily O. C. Palmer, Louise Paterson, Anne Lingford-Hughes
Summary: Alcohol affects the brain in various harmful ways, including damage during intoxication, withdrawal effects, and peripheral factors like poor diet and vitamin deficiencies. Prenatal alcohol exposure can also have lasting impacts on brain development.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aitor Hernandez-Hernandez, David Oliver, Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, Miguel Ruiz-Canela, Sonia Eguaras, Estefania Toledo, Pedro Antonio de la Rosa, Maira Bes-Rastrollo, Alfredo Gea
Summary: Alcohol drinking patterns, especially adherence to the Mediterranean alcohol-drinking pattern, can affect the risk of hypertension. Low adherence to the Mediterranean alcohol-drinking pattern is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, while high adherence is associated with a lower incidence.
Article
Anesthesiology
Ghallab Alotaibi, Shafiqur Rahman
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2019)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sami Alzarea, Shafiqur Rahman
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Brady J. Phelps, Tyler M. Miller, Heath Arens, Tayler Hutchinson, Kaitlyn A. Lang, Linda M. Muckey, Nicholas Thompson, Steven Stanage, Shafiqur Rahman, Scott M. Rawls
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Muzaffar Abbas, Sami Alzarea, Roger L. Papke, Shafiqur Rahman
PHARMACOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ghallab Alotaibi, Shafiqur Rahman
Article
Neurosciences
Muzaffar Abbas, Sami Alzarea, Roger L. Papke, Shafiqur Rahman
Summary: This study found that in a mouse model of inflammatory pain, TQS exerts analgesic effects by downregulating BDNF and p-NKCC1 in the hippocampus and upregulating KCC2.
CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nazrul Islam, Shafiqur Rahman
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant burden on public health globally, and treatment options for COVID-19 in patients with Parkinson's disease are limited. Amantadine has shown therapeutic benefits against COVID-19 in PD patients. This article proposes novel strategies for pulmonary drug delivery technology of amantadine to potentially provide a more effective treatment for COVID-19-related complications in PD patients. The important benefits and limitations of this novel delivery technology are also discussed.
CURRENT DRUG DELIVERY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Deepak Kumar, Ashish Sharma, Rajeev Taliyan, Maiko T. Urmera, Oscar Herrera-Calderon, Thomas Heinbockel, Shafiqur Rahman, Rohit Goyal
Summary: Circadian rhythms are regulated by the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, entrained to the light-dark cycle by the retino-hypothalamic tract. Disruption of circadian rhythms due to unhealthy lifestyle and chronic photic disturbances has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. The presence of endocannabinoids in CRd-induced Alzheimer's disease has been identified as a potential target for treatment.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nazrul Islam, Emma Cichero, Shafiqur Rahman, Isuru Ranasinghe
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia, with approximately 335 million patients worldwide. Current pharmacological treatment has limitations, such as slow onset and high doses with potential adverse effects. This review discusses the advantages of novel pulmonary delivery for AF management.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Sami Alzarea, Muzaffar Abbas, Patrick J. Ronan, Kabirullah Lutfy, Shafiqur Rahman
Summary: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially the alpha 7 subtype, play a critical role in neuroinflammation and microglial activation associated with major depressive disorder. The positive allosteric modulator PNU120596, which targets the alpha 7 subtype, can reduce the expression of HAAO and the formation of QUIN, thereby alleviating the symptoms related to microglia activation and neuroinflammation in MDD.
Article
Neurosciences
Laica Tolentino, Asif Iqbal, Shafiqur Rahman, Kabirullah Lutfy
Summary: This study investigated the role of endogenous beta-endorphin in food deprivation-induced increases in food intake and binge eating. The results suggest that food deprivation significantly increases food intake, but beta-endorphin may not be involved in this process. Prior exposure to a high-fat diet promotes binge-eating behavior, and this effect is modestly decreased in beta-endorphin knockout mice. Overall, beta-endorphin may play a modest role in mediating palatability-driven feeding, but not hunger-associated feeding.
Article
Neurosciences
Ghallab Alotaibi, Amna Khan, Patrick J. Ronan, Kabirullah Lutfy, Shafiqur Rahman
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the GLT-1 activator LDN-212320 on microglial activation in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. Results showed that LDN-212320 reduced CFA-induced tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by upregulating astroglial GLT-1 and CX43 expression and decreasing microglial activation.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shafiqur Rahman, Sami Alzarea
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sami Alzarea, Shafiqur Rahman
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ghallab Alotaibi, Shafiqur Rahman
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nadia Deflorin, Ulrike Ehlert, Rita T. Amiel Castro
Summary: Changes in the gut microbiome of infants have been associated with maternal psychological symptoms during pregnancy. This study found that maternal prenatal depressive symptoms are associated with lower diversity of the infant's microbiome, while maternal saliva cortisol levels are linked to increased diversity and changes in specific bacterial groups. Further research is needed to understand the implications of these microbiota alterations for child health.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zheng Ma, Hui-Xia Zhou, Da-Chun Chen, Dong-Mei Wang, Xiang-Yang Zhang
Summary: The impaired glucose metabolism in drug-na & iuml;ve schizophrenia patients is strongly associated with suicidal behavior, suggesting that glucose metabolism abnormalities may be potential biomarkers of suicide in schizophrenia patients. Regular monitoring of glucose metabolism variables is essential for suicide prevention.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Katie M. Lavigne, Jiaxuan Deng, Delphine Raucher-Chene, Adele Hotte-Meunier, Chloe Voyer, Lisa Sarraf, Martin Lepage, Genevieve Sauve
Summary: Psychiatric disorders are characterized by cognitive deficits and cognitive biases, which are associated with specific symptoms. While cognitive biases are present across diagnoses, their severity varies.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yong-Yu Yin, Jiao-Zhao Yan, Shi-Xin Lai, Qian-Qian Wei, Si-Rui Sun, Li-Ming Zhang, Yun-Feng Li
Summary: This study found that gamma oscillations are closely associated with depression and may serve as predictive biomarkers of depression. Chronic restraint stress and lipopolysaccharide induced significant depression-like behaviors in mice and reduced gamma oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex. Administration of ketamine, scopolamine, or fluoxetine increased gamma oscillations and exhibited rapid-acting antidepressant effects.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Veronica Begni, Moira Marizzoni, Kerstin Camile Creutzberg, Diana Morena Silipo, Mariusz Papp, Annamaria Cattaneo, Marco Andrea Riva
Summary: Exposure to stressful experiences is a significant risk factor for mental disorders, and pharmacological interventions targeting stress-induced alterations can help restore brain function. Lurasidone, an antipsychotic drug, has been shown to normalize the impairments caused by stress exposure and could be a valuable treatment for stress-induced mental illnesses. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of lurasidone are not well understood. This study found that chronic lurasidone treatment counteracted some of the transcriptional changes induced by chronic mild stress exposure, providing new insights into the potential therapeutic effects of lurasidone.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Esther E. Palacios-Barrios, Kunal Patel, Jamie L. Hanson
Summary: This review examines the association between early life interpersonal stress (ELIS) and depression, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The research shows that ELIS affects how youth respond to social rewards, and similar impairments in social reward processing are observed in youth with depression. The authors propose a preliminary model that suggests neurobehavioral disruptions in social reward processing as a mediating factor in the connection between ELIS and depression.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rui Li, Jiaming Tang, Yizhuo Wang, Ying Wang, Hua Yang, Hongen Wei
Summary: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are characteristic features of neuropsychiatric disorders. This study focused on repetitive self-grooming behavior and investigated the involvement of the Pax2 gene in its control. Through the use of Pax2 neuron-specific deletion mice, the study found that the deletion of Pax2 gene affects the expression of the Arc gene in the prefrontal cortex, leading to impaired synaptic plasticity and excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, thereby contributing to the occurrence of repetitive self-grooming behavior.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sara Derosa, Paulina Misztak, Jessica Mingardi, Giulia Mazzini, Heidi Kaastrup Muller, Laura Musazzi
Summary: This study investigated the involvement of neurotrophic signaling pathways in stress vulnerability/resilience and fast antidepressant response/non-response to ketamine in a rat model of depression. The findings showed that stress and ketamine induced specific changes in these pathways in different brain areas and subcellular fractions.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Georgia F. Caruana, Sean P. Carruthers, Michael Berk, Susan L. Rossell, Tamsyn E. Van Rheenen
Summary: Cognitive impairment is related to both white matter macrostructure and microstructure in bipolar disorder patients. However, there is inconsistency in the results of the studies examining this relationship. Some studies have found an association between higher fractional anisotropy in white matter and better complex attention skills and executive functioning in bipolar disorder patients, while others have found no associations. Further research with increased statistical power and standardized methods is needed.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Alberto Galimberti, Martin Tik, Giovanni Pellegrino, Anna-Lisa Schuler
Summary: This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms. The results show that non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have a small overall effect on TBI sequelae, with significant effects observed for anxiety and headache. However, larger randomized controlled trials with longer follow-ups, optimized stimulation parameters, and standardized methodology are needed to establish the efficacy of these techniques in addressing TBI sequelae.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Amanda J. Sales, Pedro H. Gobira, Joa F. C. Pedrazzi, Joao R. Silveia, Elaine Del Bel, Felipe V. Gomes, Francisco S. Guimaraes
Summary: The study found that doxycycline can inhibit metalloproteinase in the brain and attenuate the rewarding effects and locomotor sensitization of drug abuse. This suggests that doxycycline could be repurposed for the treatment of substance use disorders.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alejandro Borrego-Ruiz, Juan J. Borrego
Summary: There is substantial evidence that the development of the nervous system is related to the composition and functions of the gut microbiome. The communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gut microbiota is bidirectional, with various routes such as immune, endocrine, and neural circuits. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been associated with neuropsychiatric diseases and psychological disorders. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) therapy has shown a causal-effect relationship between the gut microbiota and behavioral features. Interventions based on prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics have demonstrated their influence on neurological disorders through the synthesis of neuroactive compounds and regulation of inflammatory and endocrine processes. Further research is needed to explore the impact of gut microbiota dysbiosis on psychiatric and psychological disorders and the potential therapeutic role of microbiota-based interventions.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zhinan Li, Zhuang Kang, Xiaowei Xia, Leijun Li, Junyan Wu, Jiamin Dai, Tong Liu, Cai Chen, Yong Qiu, Ming Chen, Yanxi Liu, Ziyi Zhang, Zili Han, Zhengjia Dai, Qinling Wei
Summary: This study found that patients with schizophrenia showed lower levels of resilience and cognitive functions compared to healthy controls, as well as abnormal global properties and nodal metrics in brain networks. Furthermore, characteristic path length might moderate the relationship between resilience and working memory in these patients.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
David H. Adamowicz, Tsung-Chin Wu, Rebecca Daly, Michael R. Irwin, Dilip Jeste, Xin M. Tu, Lisa T. Eyler, Ellen E. Lee
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationship between executive functioning and inflammatory biomarkers in people with schizophrenia. The results showed that systemic inflammation did not predict long-term declines in executive functioning. This suggests the need for further research to better understand the relationship and mechanisms between inflammation and cognition in schizophrenia.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nina Walter, Julian Wenzel, Shalaila S. Haas, Letizia Squarcina, Carolina Bonivento, Anne Ruef, Dominic Dwyer, Theresa Lichtenstein, Oeznur Bastruek, Alexandra Stainton, Linda A. Antonucci, Paolo Brambilla, Stephen J. Wood, Rachel Upthegrove, Stefan Borgwardt, Rebekka Lencer, Eva Meisenzahl, Raimo K. R. Salokangas, Christos Pantelis, Alessandro Bertolino, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Joseph Kambeitz, Lana Kambeitz-Ilankovic
Summary: Clinical and neuroimaging data can be used to predict the potential of cognitive training to improve social functioning in recent onset psychosis patients. The use of multivariate pattern analysis and support vector machine classifier allows for the prediction of social functioning improvement based on baseline cognitive data. The findings suggest that cognitive data can provide a robust individual estimate of future social functioning for patients with recent onset psychosis.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2024)