Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrey Sequeira-Cordero, Juan C. Brenes
Summary: The study focused on the time-dependent neurochemical changes induced by amphetamine which revealed region and dose-dependent alterations in gene expression. Individual differences in neurotransmission and gene expression in brain pathways may influence behavioral sensitization to amphetamine.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ross van de Wetering, Jan A. Vorster, Sophie Geyrhofer, Joanne E. Harvey, Robert A. Keyzers, Susan Schenk
Summary: This study suggests that the sensitizing effects of MDMA are not due to changes in MDMA-produced synaptic overflow of serotonin in the medial striatum or the absorption/elimination of systemically administered MDMA, but more likely due to alterations in serotonin receptor mechanisms and/or dopamine neurotransmission following repeated exposure.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrey Sequeira-Cordero, Juan C. Brenes
Summary: The study found that a single administration of amphetamine is enough to induce neuroplastic adaptations in the nucleus accumbens of vulnerable rats, affecting gene expression and neurotransmitter contents.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Gian Pietro Serra, Adriane Guillaumin, Sylvie Dumas, Bianca Vlcek, Asa Wallen-Mackenzie
Summary: The study identified a distinct TrpV1(+) subpopulation in the VTA as DA-GLU co-releasing neurons, which play a critical modulatory role in responsiveness to amphetamine. Interventions targeting Vmat2 gene in mice using TrpV1(Cre) significantly altered psychomotor behavior induced by amphetamine.
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melinda Hersey, Amanda K. Bacon, Lydia G. Bailey, Mary R. Lee, Andy Y. Chen, Lorenzo Leggio, Gianluigi Tanda
Summary: This study found that while oxytocin does not directly affect dopamine uptake, it can enhance dopamine release by modulating dopamine receptor signaling pathways. Additionally, oxytocin receptors play a regulatory role in this process.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yasmin Olsson, Helga Lido, Mia Ericson, Bo Soderpalm
Summary: Interventions that increase glycine levels and target GlyR can reduce ethanol intake in rats. However, peripheral injection of glycine-containing dipeptides is inefficient in elevating central glycine levels, but can raise accumbal dopamine levels, especially in rats with a lower endogenous dopamine tone.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Vasilios Pallikaras, Conall E. Mac E. Cionnaith, Vanessa C. Fernandez Rosales, Andreas Arvanitogiannis, James G. Pfaus
Summary: The study found that exposure to rewards can alter behavioral reactivity to them, and rewards can cross-sensitize each other. In adult male rats, single and repeated pre-exposure to methylphenidate (MPH) or sex had different effects on locomotor activation and sexual performance. Pre-exposure to MPH increased the amount of sexual stimulation needed to achieve ejaculation.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Shevon N. Alexander, Han S. Jeong, Thomas A. Szabo-Pardi, Michael D. Burton
Summary: Pain sensitization is a phenomenon that occurs to protect tissues from damage, and recent studies have shown that non-noxious stimuli in our everyday lives can lead to pain sensitization. This study investigated whether non-pathological alcohol consumption can cause pain sensitization in the absence of other pathology. The findings suggest that short-term ethanol exposure stimulates immune and glial activation, respectively, to induce pain sensitization, providing insight into the development of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.
Article
Neurosciences
Cheolmin Jo, Hyejin Joo, Dong-Hyun Youn, Jin Mook Kim, Young-Ki Hong, Na Young Lim, Kwan Soo Kim, Su-Jeong Park, Sun Ok Choi
Summary: The new psychoactive substance 25H-NBOMe poses a potential threat to public health. Experiments showed that it has rewarding and reinforcing effects, and significantly increases locomotor activity in mice.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuki Kishikawa, Yukie Kawahara, Yoshinori N. N. Ohnishi, Naoki Sotogaku, Tomoko Koeda, Hiroshi Kawahara, Akinori Nishi
Summary: Cast immobilization leads to sensory hypersensitivity, which may be associated with upregulation of postsynaptic D2-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh). Blocking D2-like receptors may be a potential therapeutic strategy for immobilization-induced hypersensitivity.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Genki Ichihara, Yoshinori Katsumata, Yuki Sugiura, Yuta Matsuoka, Rae Maeda, Jin Endo, Atsushi Anzai, Kohsuke Shirakawa, Hidenori Moriyama, Hiroki Kitakata, Takahiro Hiraide, Shinichi Goto, Seien Ko, Yuji Iwasawa, Kazuhisa Sugai, Kyohei Daigo, Shinya Goto, Kazuki Sato, Ken-ichi Yamada, Makoto Suematsu, Masaki Ieda, Motoaki Sano
Summary: This study found that glutathione release during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is primarily dependent on the transporter MRP1, and its release induces ferroptosis. Suppression of glutathione release attenuates ferroptosis and reduces myocardial infarct size following IR.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoting Xu, Xi Zhang, Yuzhu Yuan, Yongrui Zhao, Hamza M. Fares, Mengjiao Yang, Qing Wen, Reham Taha, Lixin Sun
Summary: This review systematically discusses the species differences in AhR activation effects and their modes of action, focusing on molecular configuration and activation of AhR, as well as comparison of cis-acting elements corresponding to AhR. The variations in responses seen in humans and other species following AhR activation can be attributed to both factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Manuel Cano, Ying Huang
Summary: In the United States, there has been a significant increase in psychostimulant-involved overdose mortality rates, especially in states heavily impacted by the opioid crisis. The study found positive associations between state-level indicators related to the opioid crisis and the absolute rate change in psychostimulant-involved overdose mortality. This reflects the alarming rise in psychostimulant-involved overdose mortality across the country, particularly in states where opioid crisis has had a significant impact.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gokulnath Mahalingam, Porkizhi Arjunan, Yogapriya Periyasami, Ajay Kumar Dhyani, Nivedita Devaraju, Vignesh Rajendiran, Abisha Crystal Christopher, K. T. Ramya Devi, Immanuel Dhanasingh, Saravanabhavan Thangavel, Mohankumar Murugesan, Mahesh Moorthy, Alok Srivastava, Srujan Marepally
Summary: The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 variants plays a crucial role in infection and transmission by interacting with human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptors. Through ELISA and cellular model experiments, it was found that Omicron had a higher binding efficiency to hACE2 receptors compared to Delta, and the cellular model could differentiate subtle binding differences between C.1.2 and Delta. This study provides a precise method to evaluate the binding interactions of spike sub-lineages with hACE2 receptors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Roghayeh Mozafari, Saeideh Karimi-Haghighi, Mojdeh Fattahi, Peter Kalivas, Abbas Haghparast
Summary: Psychostimulant Use Disorder is a chronic relapsing disorder with high motivation for drug abuse and is associated with various physical and mental health issues. There is currently no FDA-approved medication for treating psychostimulant abuse, making it crucial to understand the cellular and molecular changes involved in the disorder for developing effective medications.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Adria Muntaner-Mas, Francisco B. Ortega, Pedro Femia, Evelyn Kiive, Diva Eensoo, Jarek Maestu, Barbara Franke, Andreas Reif, Stephen V. Faraone, Jaanus Harro
Summary: ADHD is a prevalent disorder in childhood. This study found that overweight/obesity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood are associated with increased ADHD symptoms, and being unfit in childhood predicts greater risk of ADHD symptoms in adolescence.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
K. Klaus, M. Vaht, K. Pennington, J. Harro
Summary: The study found that the rs6277 polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), in interaction with stressful life events (SLE) or maltreatment, and sex, can impact impulsivity and alcohol use. Lack of warmth in the family contributed to higher levels of thoughtlessness and more frequent alcohol use in CC carriers at age 25, while family support was associated with lower thoughtlessness scores in CC males. These findings suggest that environmental factors in childhood and youth may affect facets of impulsivity in individuals with the DRD2 rs6277 polymorphism.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Urmeli Katus, Inga Villa, Inge Ringmets, Toomas Veidebaum, Jaanus Harro
Summary: Variants of the NPY gene were found to be associated with measures of obesity, dietary intake, glucose and lipid metabolism, and blood pressure from adolescence to young adulthood.
Article
Neurosciences
Kadri Koiv, Kai Tiitsaar, Karita Laugus, Jaanus Harro
Summary: The study found that ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rats in response to an imitation of rough-and-tumble play ('tickling') are associated with positive affective states and rewarding experiences. The results suggest that dopamine (DA) levels in the NAc shell are differentially regulated in response to stress in animals with high and low positive affect, indicating a potential link between affectivity and dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Article
Psychiatry
Karola Peebo, Erika Saluveer, Harri Kuunarpuu, Teele Orgse, Jaanus Harro
Summary: Research on early intervention for first-episode psychosis has shown significant positive short-term and long-term effects on symptomatic improvement, functional outcomes, and quality of life measures. It suggests that early intervention has a beneficial impact on the long-term functioning of patients.
NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kadri Koiv, Denis Matrov, Trine Uusen, Jaanus Harro
Summary: NPS has stimulatory effects in rats, promoting wakefulness and arousal while reducing anxiety, with varying effects depending on individual differences in exploratory activity; it induces the production of 22 kHz USVs and has complex effects on affective dimensions.
Article
Neurosciences
Aneth Lvovs, Denis Matrov, Triin Kurrikoff, Toomas Veidebaum, Jaanus Harro
Summary: The study found that homozygosity for both alleles of the CCKBR gene rs2941026 was associated with higher trait and state anxiety, particularly more pronounced in females. Additionally, the A/A genotype was also related to higher depressiveness and suicidal thoughts, indicating a potential role of genetic factors in anxiety and other psychological issues.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna Bara Unnarsdottir, Aniko Lovik, Chloe Fawns-Ritchie, Helga Ask, Kadri Koiv, Kristen Hagen, Maria Didriksen, Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen, Alexander Berg Gardarsson, Andrew McIntosh, Anna K. Kahler, Archie Campbell, Arna Hauksdottir, Christian Erikstrup, Dorte Helenius Mikkelsen, Drew Altschul, Edda Bjork Thordardottir, Emma Maria Frans, Gerd Kvale, Gunnar Tomasson, Hanna Maria Kariis, Harpa Lind Jonsdottir, Harpa Runarsdottir, Ingibjorg Magnusdottir, Jarle Eid, Johanna Jakobsdottir, Kaspar Rene Nielsen, Kathrine Agergard Kaspersen, Lili Milani, Lill-Iren Schou Trogstad, Lu Yi, Mie Topholm Bruun, Patrick F. Sullivan, Per Minor Magnus, Qing Shen, Ragnar Nesvag, Ragnhild E. Brandlistuen, Reedik Magi, Sisse Rye Ostrowski, Solveig Lokhammer, Stian Solem, Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud, Thomas Folkmann Hansen, Thomas Werge, Thor Aspelund, David J. Porteous, Fang Fang, Kelli Lehto, Ole A. Andreassen, Ole Birger Vesterager Pedersen, Stephanie Le Hellard, Unnur A. Valdimarsdottir
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Katre Sakala, Kairi Kasearu, Urmeli Katus, Toomas Veidebaum, Jaanus Harro
Summary: Low platelet MAO activity is associated with early drug abuse initiation in males, but not in females.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ingibjorg Magnusdottir, Aniko Lovik, Anna Bara Unnarsdottir, Daniel McCartney, Helga Ask, Kadri Koiv, Lea Arregui Nordahl Christoffersen, Sverre Urnes Johnson, Arna Hauksdottir, Chloe Fawns-Ritchie, Dorte Helenius, Juan Gonzalez-Hijon, Li Lu, Omid Ebrahimi, Asle Hoffart, David J. Porteous, Fang Fang, Johanna Jakobsdottir, Kelli Lehto, Ole A. Andreassen, Ole B. Pedersen, Thor Aspelund, Unnur Anna Valdimarsdottir
Summary: This study investigated the long-term mental health of COVID-19 patients and found that severe illness is associated with long-term mental morbidity among recovering individuals. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring the mental health of patients with severe acute phases of COVID-19.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aet O'Leary, Noelia Fernandez-Castillo, Gabriela Gan, Yunbo Yang, Anna Y. Yotova, Thorsten M. Kranz, Lena Gruenewald, Florian Freudenberg, Ester Anton-Galindo, Judit Cabana-Dominguez, Anais Harneit, Janina Schweiger, Kristina Schwarz, Ren Ma, Junfang Chen, Emanuel Schwarz, Marcella Rietschel, Heike Tost, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Christiane A. Pane-Farre, Tilo Kircher, Alfons O. Hamm, Demian Burguera, Nina Roth Mota, Barbara Franke, Susann Schweiger, Jennifer Winter, Andreas Heinz, Susanne Erk, Nina Romanczuk-Seiferth, Henrik Walter, Andreas Stroehle, Lydia Fehm, Thomas Fydrich, Ulrike Lueken, Heike Weber, Thomas Lang, Alexander L. Gerlach, Markus M. Noethen, Georg W. Alpers, Volker Arolt, Stephanie Witt, Jan Richter, Benjamin Straube, Bru Cormand, David A. Slattery, Andreas Reif
Summary: Common variation in RBFOX1 is associated with a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders, while rare genetic variation is specifically linked to early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD. RBFOX1 plays an important role in cognitive and emotional processing, and its study can significantly enhance our understanding of mental disorder vulnerability.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Jaanus Harro
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Evelyn Kiive, Margus Kanarik, Toomas Veidebaum, Jaanus Harro
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between NPY gene variants and personality traits in two birth cohorts of young adults, and found that the association is subject to change during periods of societal transition.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kristi Liiver, Sophie Imbeault, Marianna Skolnaja, Tanel Kaart, Margus Kanarik, Karita Laugus, Jade De Wettinck, Aleksander Pulver, Ruth Shimmo, Jaanus Harro
Summary: Sex differences in exploratory behavior were observed in male and female rats. Female rats displayed higher exploratory activity and a normal distribution, while males exhibited a bimodal distribution. There were no major effects of litter or estrous cycle. Differences in monoamine metabolism between male and female rats were found, including lower dopamine levels in the frontal cortex and higher levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the raphe area in males. Females had higher levels of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the dorsal striatum, but lower levels in the locus coeruleus area. There were also differences in noradrenaline (NA) and normetanephrine (NMN) levels between the sexes. Female rats displayed not only higher levels of exploration, but also a distinct population distribution of this behavior, which may be related to differences in monoaminergic systems.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)