Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lindsey D. McGill, Naze G. Avci, Tina Kazemi, Yoshinori Sunaga, Yasemin M. Akay, Metin Akay
Summary: Brain growth occurs during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development in rats, similar to the third trimester of human gestation. Nicotine exposure during early development causes deficiencies in sensory and cognitive processing in adults. This study investigated the gene expression of neuron groups and the influence of perinatal nicotine exposure on gene expressions of neurons within the sub-regions of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in rat pups. The results showed increased significance of the dopamine marker tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the PN sub-region of VTA, suggesting significant excitability of VTA dopamine neurons after perinatal nicotine exposure.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
ManHua Zhu, Neil G. Rogers, Jasmine V. Jahad, Melissa A. Herman
Summary: Nicotine affects dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and plays a role in nicotine addiction. This study examined the effects of nicotine on stress-associated VTA corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) neurons. The findings revealed sex-dependent and exposure-dependent changes in VTA-NAc CRF1 neuronal activity, inhibitory signaling, and nicotine sensitivity following nicotine vapor exposure. These changes potentially contribute to nicotine-dependent behaviors and the intersection between stress, anxiety, and addiction.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanmei Chen, Miaomiao Du, Na Kang, Xin Guan, Bixue Liang, Zhuangfei Chen, Jichuan Zhang
Summary: The effects of prenatal opioid exposure on emotional and addictive behavior differ between adolescent and adult female rats, with decreased depressive behavior in adolescence but increased in adulthood, and increased sensitivity to low dose morphine-induced activity in adolescence. These effects may be mediated by differential expression of TH and dopamine D1 receptors in the female brain.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Steven R. Laviolette
Summary: Nicotine can affect brain circuits, increasing the risk of developing mood and anxiety disorders in adolescents exposed to nicotine.
Review
Neurosciences
Anita Sikic, Jude A. Frie, Jibran Y. Khokhar, Jennifer E. Murray
Summary: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and women are more susceptible to nicotine addiction and face greater difficulty quitting. Smoking during pregnancy has significant health implications, including an increased risk of behavioral disorders. There are gender-specific behavioral outcomes related to smoking in adolescence and adulthood, and it is likely that the same applies to gestational nicotine or tobacco exposure. With the rise of vaping as a perceived safer alternative to cigarettes, especially among pregnant women, further research is required to understand the sex-dependent behavioral outcomes of prenatal nicotine exposure.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Van N. Huynh, Gloria A. Benavides, Michelle S. Johnson, Xiaosen Ouyang, Balu K. Chacko, Edie Osuma, Toni Mueller, John Chatham, Victor M. Darley-Usmar, Jianhua Zhang
Summary: The accumulation of neurotoxic proteins in age-related neurodegenerative diseases is associated with metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction. The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, specifically O-GlcNAcylation, has been proposed as a therapeutic target. In this study, the correlation between O-GlcNAcylation factors and mitochondrial function, autophagy/lysosomal pathways, and neurodegenerative disease-related proteins was investigated. Sex and TG-dependent differences were observed in these associations. This research provides insights into the interconnectivity of O-GlcNAc-dependent pathways in brain aging and neurodegenerative pathogenesis, as well as potential treatment responses.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Walaa F. Alsanie, Sherin Abdelrahman, Majid Alhomrani, Ahmed Gaber, Hamza Habeeballah, Heba A. Alkhatabi, Raed I. Felimban, Charlotte A. E. Hauser, Hossam H. Tayeb, Abdulhakeem S. Alamri, Bassem M. Raafat, Sirajudheen Anwar, Khaled A. Alswat, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Yousif A. Asiri
Summary: Research has shown that gabapentin interferes with the development of fetal ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons, affecting morphology and expression of key developmental genes. This suggests that the use of gabapentin may lead to serious complications for pregnant women and their babies, warranting caution in prescription decisions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Kathryn J. J. Hornburg, Lauren M. M. Slosky, Gary Cofer, James Cook, Yi Qi, Fiona Porkka, Nicholas B. B. Clark, Andrea Pires, Jeffrey R. R. Petrella, Leonard E. E. White, William C. C. Wetsel, Lawrence Barak, Marc G. G. Caron, G. Allan Johnson
Summary: The United States is facing an increase in maternal opioid misuse, leading to more babies being exposed to opioids in the womb. Prenatal opioid exposure has both short-term and long-term effects on brain development, including cognitive impairments and lower academic achievements. A study using mice found that prenatal exposure to heroin led to changes in brain structure and connectivity. This research expands our understanding of the risks associated with opioid misuse during pregnancy and identifies potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
NMR IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiyu Zhu, Anthony A. Grace
Summary: Adolescent stress is a risk factor for schizophrenia, and its effects on neurobiological activity and impairment vary depending on age and sex. Understanding these differences could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of stress-related psychopathologies and guide targeted interventions.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Filip S. Polli, Kristi A. Kohlmeier
Summary: The laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT) in the pontine brain stem plays a critical role in controlling attention, behavioral arousal, and sleep-wake states. Dysfunction in LDT signaling may be involved in drug dependence and cognitive symptoms of ADHD. Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) can alter glutamate and cholinergic signaling within the LDT, affecting excitatory output to limbic circuits and executive control networks. These alterations may contribute to negative behavioral outcomes, including an increased risk of drug dependence and ADHD behaviors, seen in PNE individuals.
WORLD JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kenneth Alper, Janelle Cange, Ria Sah, Deanna Schreiber-Gregory, Henry Sershen, K. Yaragudri Vinod
Summary: This study investigated the effects of psilocybin on voluntary ethanol consumption in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice. The results showed that psilocybin reduced ethanol consumption and preference in male mice, but had no significant effect in female mice.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Steven R. Laviolette
Summary: Adolescence is a sensitive period for mammalian neurodevelopment, with nicotine and cannabis affecting neural circuits and increasing neuropsychiatric risk. Current research methods include epidemiological clinical studies and pre-clinical animal studies, with the latter providing more precise experimental control and analysis.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaonan Li, Lehua Lu, Ying He, Hui Zhang, Yihui Zhang, Huaquan Sheng, Ming Chen, Jiexiong Ru, Yihan Gao
Summary: This study examined the effects of different nicotine salts on dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) using a fluorescent probe and optical fiber photometric recording equipment. The results showed that different nicotine salts increased DA release in the NAc, but each salt had different efficiency in increasing DA release with concentration changes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kathryn R. Przybysz, Meredith E. Gamble, Marvin R. Diaz
Summary: The study reveals that adolescent alcohol exposure may result in long-term sex-dependent effects on BLA physiology and KOR function in adulthood, impacting the modulation of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Article
Neurosciences
Alaa Alharthi, Fawaz Alasmari, Shakir D. Alsharari, Nouf M. Alrasheed, Musaad A. Alshammari, Tahani K. Alshammari
Summary: This study examined the effects of first-trimester prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes on behavior and molecular levels. The findings revealed that adolescents exposed to e-cigarettes exhibited abnormal behavior, reduced cognitive capacity, and self-administration of nicotine. This suggests that prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes may increase the risk of nicotine addiction during adolescence.
Article
Neurosciences
Celina Mojica, Yu Bai, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Letter
Neurosciences
Anjelica Cardenas, Mina Elabd, Shahrdad Lotfipour
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Michelle Ren, Shahrdad Lotfipour
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anjelica Cardenas, Maricela Martinez, Alejandra Saenz Mejia, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: The study found that adolescent nicotine exposure enhances self-administration of cocaine and fentanyl in rats. This highlights adolescence as a unique developmental period vulnerable to nicotine-induced effects.
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anjelica Cardenas, Yu Bai, Yasamin Hajy Heydary, Jiaqi Li, Frances M. Leslie, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: This study investigates the functional effects of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 3'-UTR of the nicotinic receptor subunit gene, CHRNA6, using knock-in rodent models. The results show that this SNP does not affect baseline behaviors, but enhances nicotine-induced behaviors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Michelle Ren, Shahrdad Lotfipour, Frances Leslie
Summary: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US, particularly among vulnerable populations such as youth, adolescents, and pregnant women. Nicotine has unique effects on specific brain regions at different developmental stages due to the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It has neurotoxic effects on the fetus, newborn, child, and adolescent, and this review aims to highlight its comprehensive impact throughout the lifespan.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michelle Ren, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: Gut bacteria play a role in addiction-related behaviors by influencing neural circuits. The interaction between gut bacteria and the brain is hypothesized to mediate the rewarding and reinforcing properties of fentanyl. Factors such as sex, dose, and gut microbiota impact fentanyl intake. The diversity of gut microbiota predicts fentanyl self-administration, with potential implications for addiction interventions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michelle Ren, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: Communication between the brain and gut bacteria affects drug and addiction behaviors. Researchers investigated the impact of gut microbiota on fentanyl reinforcement and reward by depleting gut bacteria in adult male and female rats using antibiotics and allowing them to self-administer fentanyl. The results showed that antibiotic treatment increased fentanyl self-administration in males, but not females, at the lowest reinforcement schedule. Both males and females treated with antibiotics self-administered higher amounts of fentanyl at higher reinforcement schedules. Replenishing microbial metabolites restored normal fentanyl self-administration levels, indicating a significant relationship between gut microbiome and opioid use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emily M. Castro, Shahrdad Lotfipour, Frances M. Leslie
Summary: Developmental periods such as gestation and adolescence have increased vulnerability to harmful effects from nicotine use. Nicotine exposure during these sensitive windows can have detrimental effects on cardiorespiratory function, learning and memory, executive function, and reward related circuitry. Evaluating the consequences of nicotine exposure during these vulnerable periods is critical due to its impact on cognition, potential for other substance use, and implications for the neurobiology of substance use disorders.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Diana Carreno, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: This study investigated the impact of sex on the acquisition of nicotine self-administration and nicotine-seeking behavior in adolescent rats. The results showed no sex differences in natural rewards, nicotine reinforcement, and reinstatement, suggesting that sex does not influence these behaviors when initiated during adolescence.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Anjelica Cardenas, Shahrdad Lotfipour
Summary: Adolescent nicotine exposure enhances subsequent METH use, with sex- and age-dependent effects.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Michelle Ren, Shahrdad Lotfipour
WESTERN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shahrdad Lotfipour, Maree T. Smith
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2018)