Article
Neurosciences
Dan P. Covey, Edith Hernandez, Miguel A. Lujan, Joseph F. Cheer
Summary: The study found that dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens responds differently to cues signaling increasing cost of reward. Endocannabinoid signaling facilitates goal-seeking and nucleus accumbens dopamine release, while chronic MAGL treatment stably facilitates goal-seeking and dopamine encoding without the development of tolerance.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Paula S. Dornellas, Giovana C. Macedo, Minna H. McFarland, Alexander Gomez-A, Todd K. O'Buckley, Claudio Da Cunha, A. Leslie Morrow, Donita L. Robinson
Summary: Research has shown that allopregnanolone can reduce dopamine release in both male and female rats, with its effects modulated by sex and estrous cycle stages.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Klara Danielsson, Oona Lagstrom, Mia Ericson, Bo Soderpalm, Louise Adermark
Summary: The study suggests that repeated amphetamine exposure leads to selective effects on dopamine signaling in striatal subregions, explaining why tolerance develops towards the drug's rewarding effects but not its psychosis inducing properties.
Review
Neurosciences
Dan P. Covey, Alyssa G. Yocky
Summary: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a crucial role in valence-based predictions and motivated actions by allowing complex interactions between different cell types and filtering incoming and outgoing information. Dopamine (DA) input and the endocannabinoid (eCB) system influence NAc function and terminal DA release, with mechanisms still being elucidated. Recent technological advancements are capable of dissecting how different cell types, their projections, and local neuromodulators influence valence-based actions.
FRONTIERS IN SYNAPTIC NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jason Yuen, Abhinav Goyal, Aaron E. Rusheen, Abbas Z. Kouzani, Michael Berk, Jee Hyun Kim, Susannah J. Tye, Charles D. Blaha, Kevin E. Bennet, Dong-Pyo Jang, Kendall H. Lee, Hojin Shin, Yoonbae Oh
Summary: For over 40 years, in vivo microdialysis techniques have been crucial in studying the effects of illicit substances on dopamine levels in the brain, but limitations have led to the development of a new electrochemical method known as M-CSWV. This method provides faster recordings of dopamine level changes, allowing for a more detailed understanding of neuronal responses to drug administration.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tong-Yu Liang, Hua Zhou, Yan-Gang Sun
Summary: Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons participate in itch processing through their projection to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The roles of dopamine receptor subtypes in different subregions of the NAc during itch processing were investigated. It was found that dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) blockade in the lateral shell (LaSh) impaired pruritogen-induced scratching behavior, while D2R activation in both LaSh and medial shell (MeSh) attenuated scratching behavior. Dopamine release in LaSh was elevated during scratching behavior, suggesting a motivational component of itch processing. This study highlights the importance of D1R in the LaSh of the NAc in itch signal processing.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chrysostomos Charalambous, Marek Lapka, Tereza Havlickova, Kamila Syslova, Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
Summary: The study explores the role of the ghrelin/GHS-R1A system in the rewarding effects of cannabinoids, showing that the GHS-R1A antagonist JMV2959 can reduce dopamine release induced by the CB1 agonist WIN55,212-2. It also reversed the decrease in accumbens γ-aminobutyric acid levels caused by cannabinoids.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel J. Christoffel, Jessica J. Walsh, Paul Hoerbelt, Boris D. Heifets, Pierre Llorach, Ricardo C. Lopez, Charu Ramakrishnan, Karl Deisseroth, Robert C. Malenka
Summary: The study reveals that dopamine and serotonin modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens in input-specific ways, influencing motivated behaviors differently. Endogenous release of DA and 5-HT, as well as optogenetic inhibition, alter the behavioral effects of drugs in distinct manners.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maximiliano Elgueta-Reyes, Victoria B. Velasquez, Pedro Espinosa, Raul Riquelme, Tatiana Dib, Nicole K. Sanguinetti, Angelica P. Escobar, Jonathan Martinez-Pinto, Georgina M. Renard, Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate
Summary: Early life exposure to sex hormones has long-lasting effects on brain areas involved in regulating locomotor and motivation behaviors. This study demonstrates that neonatal exposure to sex hormones alters the brain dopamine system and affects behavioral and neurochemical responses to amphetamine and methylphenidate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo Ram Cho, Wha Young Kim, Ju Kyong Jang, Jung Won Lee, Jeong-Hoon Kim
Summary: Microinjection of CART peptide 55-102 into the NAcc core attenuates psychostimulant-induced locomotor activity. The negative regulatory role of the CART peptide is mediated by normalizing the changes in phosphorylation levels of Akt-GSK3 beta and GluA1 modified by AMPH at this site.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gavin C. Jones, Christina A. Small, Dallin Z. Otteson, Caylor W. Hafen, Jacob T. Breinholt, Paul D. Flora, Matthew D. Burris, David W. Sant, Tysum R. Ruchti, Jordan T. Yorgason, Scott C. Steffensen, Kyle B. Bills
Summary: This study used a Wistar rat model to evaluate the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) as a preventative measure for the neuronal and behavioral effects of morphine withdrawal. The results showed that concurrent administration of WBV at 80 Hz with morphine significantly reduced adaptations in neuronal activity and dopamine release, as well as modulated the expression of δ-opioid receptors on cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens. WBV represents a promising adjunct to current intervention for opioid use disorder (OUD).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Allison E. Carney, Caitlin Clarke, Wayne E. Pratt
Summary: Previous research has shown that both dopamine and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) play a role in motivated behavior, potentially through interaction within the neural circuitry related to motivation. This study aimed to further understand the relationship between NAc NPY and dopamine and their effects on motivated behavior. The findings suggest that NPY in the NAc shell can improve motivational impairments caused by dopamine antagonism, and these effects are specific to the site of injection. These results imply that increasing NPY expression in neurodegenerative diseases may help alleviate early motivational deficits caused by dopamine depletion.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Macarena F. Garate-Perez, Alejandra Mendez, Carolina Bahamondes, Claudia Sanhueza, Fanny Guzman, Miguel Reyes-Parada, Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Georgina M. Renard
Summary: The study demonstrates that modulation of the AVP system in the lateral septum affects the behavioral and neurochemical responses to amphetamine in male rats. Microinjection of AVP in the lateral septum reduces the expression of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference, decreases neuronal activity and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. This suggests that AVP in the lateral septum may inhibit GABAergic projections to the VTA, leading to reduced dopamine activity in the NAc.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah, Ruth Hanssen, Corina Melzer, Marc Tittgemeyer
Summary: The study explored the effect of FTO genetic variations on impulsivity and neuroplastic alterations. It found that FTO risk allele carriers exhibited higher impulsivity and increased structural connectivity between VTA/SN and NAc. These findings suggest that FTO variants may influence obesity-promoting behavioral traits through neuroplastic alterations.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
J. M. Wenzel, J. F. Cheer
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer M. Wenzel, Erik B. Oleson, Willard N. Gove, Anthony B. Cole, Utsav Gyawali, Hannah M. Dantrassy, Rebecca J. Bluett, Dilyan I. Dryanovski, Garret D. Stuber, Karl Deisseroth, Brian N. Mathur, Sachin Patel, Carl R. Lupica, Joseph F. Cheer
Article
Neurosciences
Matthew R. Bailey, Olivia Goldman, Estefania P. Bello, Muhammad O. Chohan, Nuri Jeong, Vanessa Winiger, Eileen Chun, Elke Schipani, Abigail Kalmbach, Joseph F. Cheer, Peter D. Balsam, Eleanor H. Simpson
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Dan P. Covey, Hannah M. Dantrassy, Samantha E. Yohn, Alberto Castro, P. Jeffrey Conn, Yolanda Mateo, Joseph F. Cheer
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna K. Radke, Adrina Kocharian, Dan P. Covey, David M. Lovinger, Joseph F. Cheer, Yolanda Mateo, Andrew Holmes
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samantha E. Yohn, Daniel J. Foster, Dan P. Covey, Mark S. Moehle, Jordan Galbraith, Pedro M. Garcia-Barrantes, Hyekyung P. Cho, Michael Bubser, Anna L. Blobaum, Max E. Joffe, Joseph F. Cheer, Carrie K. Jones, Craig W. Lindsley, P. Jeffrey Conn
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Sam Z. Bacharach, Helen M. Nasser, Natalie E. Zlebnik, Hannah M. Dantrassy, Daniel E. Kochli, Utsav Gyawali, Joseph F. Cheer, Donna J. Calu
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Hyungwoo Nam, Ramesh Chandra, T. Chase Francis, Caroline Dias, Joseph F. Cheer, Mary Kay Lobo
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kasey S. Girven, Sonia Aroni, Jovana Navarrete, Rosa A. M. Marino, Paige N. McKeon, Joseph F. Cheer, Dennis R. Sparta
Summary: The insular cortex (IC) sends glutamatergic projections to vBNST-VTA neurons, activating IC-vBNST terminals may strengthen behavior in a dopamine-dependent manner, while silencing the IC-vBNST projection may lead to anxiety-like behavior, providing a potential mechanism for how the IC processes external triggers predictive of rewards.
Article
Neurosciences
Devan M. Gomez, Thomas J. Everett, Lindsey R. Hamilton, Ajit Ranganath, Joseph F. Cheer, Erik B. Oleson
Summary: Synthetic cannabinoids, a commonly abused drug in the US, may lead to blunted dopamine response and cross-tolerance to heroin. Chronic exposure to synthetic cannabinoids in rats resulted in reduced dopamine releasing effects of both cannabinoids and heroin.
Article
Neurosciences
Sonia Aroni, Rosa A. M. Marino, Kasey S. Girven, James M. Irving, Joseph F. Cheer, Dennis R. Sparta
Summary: Binge ethanol drinking is a major financial burden in the United States and leads to significant neuroplasticity changes in the brain. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the central amygdala are believed to play a key role in modulating binge drinking. Research shows that these neurons exhibit diverse responses and enhanced electrical activity during binge drinking sessions.
Article
Neurosciences
Sheila A. Engi, Erin J. Beebe, Victoria M. Ayvazian, Fabio C. Cruz, Joseph F. Cheer, Jennifer M. Wenzel, Natalie E. Zlebnik
Summary: Mesolimbic dopamine plays a crucial role in motivated behavior, with CB1 receptor signaling in the VTA being implicated in the phasic activation of dopamine. Cocaine-induced increases in motivation appear to require 2-AG signaling at CB1 receptors in the VTA, suggesting potential cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapeutic targets for substance abuse treatment.
Review
Neurosciences
David M. Lovinger, Yolanda Mateo, Kari A. Johnson, Sheila A. Engi, Mario Antonazzo, Joseph F. Cheer
Summary: This Review discusses the communication between central nervous system neurons mediated by ligand-gated ion channel receptors and G protein-coupled receptors, and explores the mechanisms and future directions of presynaptic receptor actions.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Kate Peters, Erik Oleson, Daniel Covey, Yolanda Mateo, Raffaella Tonini, Joseph Cheer
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Acoustics
Yuri Levin-Schwartz, Dennis R. Sparta, Joseph F. Cheer, Tulay Adali
2017 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ACOUSTICS, SPEECH AND SIGNAL PROCESSING (ICASSP)
(2017)