Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ferdos Zamanirad, Mojdeh Fattahi, Haleh Amirteymori, Zahra Mousavi, Abbas Haghparast
Summary: Targeting the orexin system, particularly in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), has been shown to be a promising approach for treating drug addiction. Modulating the orexin system in the VTA can facilitate the extinction process of drug-related memories and prevent their relapse.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Man-yi Jing, Xiao-yan Ding, Xiao Han, Tai-yun Zhao, Min-min Luo, Ning Wu, Jin Li, Rui Song
Summary: This study found that cue-induced reinstatement of reward seeking is partially mediated by activation of the dopaminergic pathway from the VTA to the NAcore. In a mouse model, activation of this pathway triggered reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior, while inhibition of this pathway suppressed reinstatement behavior.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Lisha Deng, Zheng Chu, Baijia Li, Peng Liu, Gang Lei, Liu Yang, Leile Zhang, Shaofu Li, Yiming Wang, Yonghui Dang
Summary: The study found that injection of BDNF-adeno-associated viral vector in the VTA attenuated morphine-induced CPP with synergistic changes in BDNF/TrkB/CREB concentrations in the VTA and NAc in the CPP acquisition and recurrence phases, but the attenuation was lower in the extinction phase with different changes in molecules downstream of BDNF.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hojjatollah Alaei, Mozhgan Ghobadi Pour
Summary: The VTA plays a key role in processing psychological dependency, opioid reinforcement, and opiate-related associative reward. The study found that 150 mu A VTA electrical stimulation could suppress 5 mg/kg morphine-induced CPP. Additionally, intra-VTA administration of Lidocaine significantly decreased the acquisition phase of 5 mg/kg morphine-induced CPP, which was reversed in the reinstatement test. These findings are important for understanding mesolimbic nervous system connections and may lead to new ways to reduce the rewarding effects of morphine.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
J. Daniel Obray, Christina A. Small, Emily K. Baldwin, Eun Young Jang, Jin Gyeom Lee, Chae Ha Yang, Jordan T. Yorgason, Scott C. Steffensen
Summary: This study found that peripherally administered dopamine can enhance dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens and modulate related behaviors. Dopamine subtype-2 receptors are involved in this process and can influence dopamine neuron activity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xuhong Li, Yuqian Zheng, Xiaoxuan Zhao, Ruisi Cui, Xinwang Li
Summary: Opioid use disorder results from functional defects in the brain reward loop. RMTg M3 receptors and dopamine D1 receptors play important roles in regulating opioid reward. Activation of RMTg M3 receptors can counteract the rewarding effects of morphine, and dopamine activity in VTA and NAcS may be involved.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Amit Puranik, Nicole Buie, Dena Arizanovska, Paul Vezina, Stephan Steidl
Summary: The study found that LDTg is a critical source of VTA glutamate for the development of cocaine sensitization in male mice. This research is of great importance for our understanding of the neural changes underlying drug addiction.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Olga Rodriguez-Borillo, Lorena Rosello-Jimenez, Julian Guarque-Chabrera, Maria Palau-Batet, Isis Gil-Miravet, Raul Pastor, Marta Miquel, Laura Font
Summary: After cocaine exposure, increased cFos activity was observed in the granular cell layer at the top of the posterior vermis (lobules VIII and IX) in mice, and this activity was positively correlated with cFos expression in the medial prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that certain regions of the cerebellum may be involved in the regulation of cocaine-conditioned behavior.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Altair B. Dos Santos, Line K. Skaanning, Siganya Thaneshwaran, Eyd Mikkelsen, Cesar R. Romero-Leguizamon, Thomas Skamris, Morten P. Kristensen, Annette E. Langkilde, Kristi A. Kohlmeier
Summary: Parkinson's disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Lewy Body Dementia are incurable diseases mechanistically linked to the protein alpha-synuclein. Sleep disorders are common in the early stages of these diseases, indicating the involvement of alpha-synuclein in sleep regulation. This study found that different forms of alpha-synuclein can affect sleep-controlling neurons in a structure-independent manner, suggesting that these neurons could be potential targets for future neuroprotective therapies.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Vinicia Garzella Metz, Jessica Leandra Oliveira da Rosa, Domenika Rubert Rossato, Marilise Escobar Burger, Camila Simonetti Pase
Summary: This study investigated the effects of CBD treatment on relapse behavior triggered by stress in rats after amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). The results showed that CBD treatment prevented amphetamine reinstatement and exerted anxiolytic activity. At the molecular level, CBD restored neuroadaptations in the dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems in brain areas closely involved in addiction.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Liu, Kunkun Pang, Min Liu, Xu Tan, Zhaofang Hang, Shouhong Mu, Weikai Han, Qingwei Yue, Stefano Comai, Jinhao Sun
Summary: The brain circuit between the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens lateral shell (NAcLat) plays a crucial role in methamphetamine addiction. By isolating and profiling dopamine (DA) neurons in the VTA-NAcLat circuit of MA-treated mice, researchers discovered that downregulation of KCNQ genes, encoding Kv7 channel proteins, was associated with addiction. Activation of Kv7.2/3 and Kv7.4 channels attenuated MA-induced addiction behaviors by reducing neuronal excitability and dopamine release.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ming Sun, Chao Wu, Lixin Liu, Liang Gu, Zihao Wang, Feng Xu, Donglin Zhu
Summary: The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in substance abuse and addiction. The two arms of RAS, ACE1/Ang II/AT1R axis and ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR axis, are disrupted in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) during alcohol addiction. The dysregulated RAS in the VTA stimulates oxidative stress and dopaminergic neurotransmission, contributing to alcohol addiction.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Fahad S. Alshehri, Badrah S. Alghamdi, Alqassem Y. Hakami, Abdullah A. Alshehri, Yusuf S. Althobaiti
Summary: The study found that melatonin can attenuate morphine-seeking behavior and reduce morphine-induced place preference.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Biology
Peilin Zhao, Tao Jiang, Huading Wang, Xueyan Jia, Anan Li, Hui Gong, Xiangning Li
Summary: By studying the detailed morphology of pontine-tegmental cholinergic neurons (PTCNs), we found that these neurons have abundant axons and collaterals, and can project to multiple brain regions in both the ascending and descending circuits, including the thalamus and cortex. Based on labeling in different circuits, PTCNs can be classified into four subtypes. These findings provide important organizational characteristics of cholinergic neurons in the upper brainstem to understand their connexional logic.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel R. Garton, Giorgio Turconi, Vilma Iivanainen, Jaan-Olle Andressoo
Summary: Cocaine addiction is a serious and deadly condition without effective pharmacological treatments. The neurotrophic factor GDNF and its receptor RET may be a promising approach to treating psychostimulant addiction. In this study, reducing RET expression in the VTA accelerates extinction of conditioned place preference and reduces reinstatement, while reducing GDNF in the NAc prolongs conditioned place preference and increases preference during reinstatement. This suggests that RET antagonism in the VTA and intact or enhanced GDNF function in the NAc could be a new approach for treating cocaine addiction.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Soichiro Ide, Miharu Nakanishi, Syudo Yamasaki, Kazutaka Ikeda, Shuntaro Ando, Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa, Kiyoto Kasai, Atsushi Nishida
Summary: This study investigated the association between loot box purchasing among adolescents and parents, and problem online gaming. The results showed that adolescent loot box purchasing is linked to problem online gaming, but not with parents' loot box purchasing. Measures to reduce these behaviors should target reducing addictive symptoms in young video gamers.
JMIR SERIOUS GAMES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tomoyuki Kaneko, Ryuto Hara, Taiju Amano, Masabumi Minami
Summary: This study investigated the effects of neurotensin (NTS) on excitability of type II neurons in rat dlBNST, revealing diverse signaling pathways mediate NTS effects, including depolarizing effects through potassium conductance blocking and hyperpolarizing effects via non-selective cation conductance increase or decrease.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Satoshi Deyama, Masabumi Minami, Katsuyuki Kaneda
Summary: Ketamine and other rapid-acting antidepressants show rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, but with potential side effects. Resolvins as novel therapeutic candidates for depression are promising due to their ability to exert antidepressant effects with mTORC1 activation.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Shun Aoki, Satoshi Deyama, Rinako Sugie, Kohei Ishimura, Hayato Fukuda, Satoshi Shuto, Masabumi Minami, Katsuyuki Kaneda
Summary: This study demonstrated that RvE1 alleviates depression-like behavior induced by repeated injections of prednisolone, suggesting its antidepressant-like effects in a mouse model of repeated PSL-induced depression.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Minami Kanai, Ryota Kamiizawa, Natsuko Hitora-Imamura, Masabumi Minami
Summary: In this study, the neuronal pathways from the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were found to be activated during exposure to hot and cold environments. These pathways may be involved in avoidance behaviors from hot and cold environments for behavioral thermoregulation.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kiyoshiro Fukui, Keiichiro Sato, Shunsaku Murakawa, Masabumi Minami, Taiju Amano
Summary: The study revealed that administration of estrogen to adult mice induces infanticidal behavior and enhances excitatory synaptic transmission in the related brain region, BSTrh. The increase in glutamate release probability and synaptic connectivity between AHi neurons and BSTrh may contribute to the expression of infanticide.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Soichiro Ide, Hirofumi Kunitomo, Yuichi Iino, Kazutaka Ikeda
Summary: Addiction is a significant global societal problem, but effective treatments are limited. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a valuable invertebrate model for studying neurobiological diseases and has shown preference for cues associated with addictive drugs. Recent studies have discovered an opioid-like system in C. elegans. This study found that C. elegans exhibited dose-dependent preference for morphine and aversion to naloxone-precipitated withdrawal, indicating the presence of an addictive function of the opioid system in C. elegans.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naoki Yamauchi, Keiichiro Sato, Kenta Sato, Shunsaku Murakawa, Yumi Hamasaki, Hiroshi Nomura, Taiju Amano, Masabumi Minami
Summary: This study reveals the neuronal plasticity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) induced by chronic pain, which contributes to maladaptive anxiety. The findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders induced by chronic pain.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroko Kotajima-Murakami, Soichiro Ide, Kazutaka Ikeda
Summary: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are chronic disorders with serious consequences that alter brain function. GIRK channels play a key role in the effects of addictive substances, and GIRK channel modulators like Ifenprodil may be potential medications for addiction treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soichiro Ide, Noriaki Iwase, Kenichi Arai, Masahiro Kojima, Shigeru Ushiyama, Kaori Taniko, Kazutaka Ikeda
Summary: Despite the widespread use of opioids for pain management, opioid addiction and the overdose crisis are becoming increasingly serious. A new nonpeptide ligand, UD-030, has been found to be a selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist and shows promise as a treatment option for opioid use disorder, with different characteristics from traditional medications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuki Moriya, Yoshiyuki Kasahara, Masafumi Shimada, Yasufumi Sakakibara, Hideaki Fujii, Hiroshi Nagase, Soichiro Ide, Kazutaka Ikeda, F. Scott Hall, George R. Uhl, Ichiro Sora
Summary: The study investigated the effects of MOP and DOP activation on behavioral despair using mouse models. The results showed that DOP agonists reduced immobility time in both tests, while the absence of MOP had no significant effect. This suggests that DOP activation can independently impact behavioral despair, regardless of MOP.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuka Nago-Iwashita, Yuki Moriya, Satoshi Hara, Ryohei Ogawa, Rina Aida, Katsuya Miyajima, Takenobu Shimura, Shin-ichi Muramatsu, Soichiro Ide, Kazutaka Ikeda, Hiroshi Ichinose
Summary: Drug abuse is a significant social problem and healthcare challenge. The overexpression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was found to affect dopamine (DA) metabolism and reactivity to methamphetamine (METH) in mice. These findings suggest that TH may be a potential drug target for ameliorating sensitivity to drugs of abuse.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Saya Arakaki, Masabumi Minami
Summary: The results demonstrate that enhanced noradrenergic transmission via beta-adrenoceptors in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (vBNST) plays a crucial role in nicotine withdrawal-induced aversive behavior.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Miho Tanaka, Atsushi Sato, Hiroko Kotajima-Murakami, Hirofumi Kashii, Yoko Hagino, Soichiro Ide, Kazutaka Ikeda
Summary: The study found that offspring of 3-month-old fathers exhibited social preference behavior, while offspring of 12- or 15-month-old fathers did not show similar behavior. Although the study was exploratory, it demonstrated an interaction between social behavior and paternal age in offspring of the same paternal mice.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hiroe Suzuki, Natsuko Hitora-Imamura, Satoshi Deyama, Masabumi Minami
Summary: Intracerebroventricular injection of resolvin D2 showed an antidepressant effect in a murine model of chronic pain-induced depression, without affecting locomotor activity. It may be a promising lead for the development of novel antidepressants.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Correction
Neurosciences
Lucia Privitera, Ellen L. Hogg, Matthias Gaestel, Mark J. Wall, Sonia A. L. Correa
Article
Neurosciences
Li-Ya Jiang, Guan-Hao Wang, Jing-Jiao Xu, Xiao-Li Li, Xiao-Yan Lin, Xiang Fang, Hong-Xu Zhang, Mei Feng, Chun-Ming Jiang
Summary: This study reveals the importance of LINC00473 in regulating temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma (GB) and its potential mechanism. By regulating the expression of CEBP alpha and MGMT, LINC00473 promotes the formation of chemoresistance. Furthermore, LINC00473 can transfer chemoresistance to adjacent sensitive cells through exosomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Olga Kopach, Tetyana Pivneva, Nataliya Fedirko, Nana Voitenko
Summary: This study found that diabetic animals exhibit severe xerostomia characterized by reduced saliva flow rate, diminished total protein content, and decreased amylase activity. The impaired saliva production in diabetes is associated with reduced and delayed intracellular Ca2+ signals in submandibular acinar cells, caused by malfunctioning mitochondria. Targeting malfunctioning mitochondria may be a potential strategy for the treatment of diabetic xerostomia.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicholas M. Timme, Cherish E. Ardinger, Seth D. C. Weir, Rachel Zelaya-Escobar, Rachel Kruger, Christopher C. Lapish
Summary: This study aimed to assess aversion-resistant drinking behavior in head-fixed mice and explore the relationship between non-consummatory behaviors and aversion-resistant drinking. The results showed that head-fixed mice exhibited heterogenous levels of aversion-resistant drinking and non-consummatory behaviors were related to the intensity of this behavior.
Article
Neurosciences
David R. Maguire, Charles P. France
Summary: Methocinnamox (MCAM) is a novel, long-acting opioid receptor antagonist that effectively decreases fentanyl self-administration and prevents opioid overdose in monkeys. The study demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of MCAM in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiang Li, Dan Feng, Shenglu Ma, Mingxing Li, Shulei Zhao, Man Tang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fluoxetine on neurochemical, neurobiological, and neurobehavioral changes in different subregions of the hippocampus. The results showed that fluoxetine increased dialysate 5-HT, decreased membrane 5-HTT protein, and increased cytoplasmic fraction. Additionally, fluoxetine reduced immobility times in behavioral tests, with greater effects observed in the ventral subregion compared to the dorsal subregion.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexander V. Zholos, Mariia I. Melnyk, Dariia O. Dryn
Summary: Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter in visceral smooth muscles, activating M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors to cause smooth muscle excitation and contraction. This review focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying acetylcholine-induced depolarisation and smooth muscle contraction, as well as the effects of anticholinergic drugs on gastrointestinal motility. The knowledge gained from recent studies has greatly expanded our understanding of these processes.
Article
Neurosciences
Zhenlong Li, Hsien-Yu Peng, Chau-Shoun Lee, Tzer-Bin Lin, Ming-Chun Hsieh, Cheng-Yuan Lai, Han-Fang Wu, Lih-Chyang Chen, Mei-Ci Chen, Dylan Chou
Summary: Methylone shows significant efficacy in treating depression and social deficits, making it an ideal candidate for anti-depressant medication.
Article
Neurosciences
Aline Freyssin, Allison Carles, Sarra Guehairia, Gilles Rubinstenn, Tangui Maurice
Summary: This study explores the potential of combining FENM and S1R agonists in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that most FENM-based combinations can protect against learning deficits caused by A beta 25-35, with better efficacy in short-term memory.
Article
Neurosciences
J. D. Lorente, J. Cuitavi, L. Rullo, S. Candeletti, P. Romualdi, L. Hipolito
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of pain on negative affect in different sexes and time courses, as well as the involvement of the dynorphinergic and corticotropin releasing factor systems in these pain-related behaviors. The results showed sex and time-dependent anxiety- and anhedonia-like behaviors induced by pain in female rats. The recruitment of KOR/DYN in the NAc was identified as a key neurological substrate mediating pain-induced behavioral alterations.
Article
Neurosciences
Rongjun Liu, Daofan Sun, Xiuzhong Xing, Qingge Chen, Bo Lu, Bo Meng, Hui Yuan, Lan Mo, Liufang Sheng, Jinwei Zheng, Qiusheng Wang, Junping Chen, Xiaowei Chen
Summary: The coexistence of pain and depression is frequently observed in patients with chronic pain and depression. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide, has been reported to relieve chronic pain and depressive symptoms. This study investigated the effect of intranasal oxytocin on neuropathic pain and comorbid depressive symptoms, and found that oxytocin attenuated depression-like behavior but did not alleviate mechanical hyperalgesia. The results suggest that intranasal oxytocin may have the potential to treat depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain patients.