Endocannabinoid Signaling in Motivation, Reward, and Addiction

Sagheddu, Claudia; Muntoni, Anna Lisa; Pistis, Marco; Melis, Miriam

doi:10.1016/bs.irn.2015.10.004

Cited by 41 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 322 publications

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“…There are direct connections between POM and other brain regions in which endocannabinoids are involved in motivation and reward (e.g., VTA: Oleson et al, 2012; Sagheddu et al, 2015), including regions that the current study found significantly related to song-associated reward (i.e., VTA, PAG). POM also projects both directly and indirectly to song control regions (Riters and Alger, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…VTA is a brain region strongly implicated in reward and motivation (Fields et al, 2007; O'Connell and Hofmann, 2011; Riters, 2012). In mammals, there is evidence that endocannabinoids in VTA regulate reward and motivational processes by influencing dopamine release (Oleson et al, 2012; Sagheddu et al, 2015). Specifically, in VTA, dopamine neurons release endocannabinoids, which then interact with CB 1 receptors on GABAergic and glutamatergic axon terminals and inhibit neurotransmitter release (Melis et al, 2004; Riegel & Lupica, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Song-associated reward correlates with endocannabinoid-related gene expression in male European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris )

et al. 2017

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Vocal communication is required for successful social interactions in numerous species. During the breeding season, songbirds produce songs that are reinforced by behavioral consequences (e.g., copulation). However, some songbirds also produce songs not obviously directed at other individuals. The consequences maintaining or reinforcing these songs are less obvious and the neural mechanisms associated with undirected communication are not well-understood. Previous studies indicate that undirected singing is intrinsically rewarding and mediated by opioid or dopaminergic systems; however, endocannabinoids are also involved in regulating reward and singing behavior. We used a conditioned place preference paradigm to examine song-associated reward in European starlings and quantitative real-time PCR to measure expression of endocannabinoid-related neural markers (CB1, FABP7, FABP5, FAAH, DAGLα), in brain regions involved in social behavior, reward and motivation (ventral tegmental area [VTA], periaqueductal gray [PAG], and medial preoptic nucleus [POM]), and a song control region (Area X). Our results indicate that starlings producing high rates of song developed a conditioned place preference, suggesting that undirected song is associated with a positive affective state. We found a significant positive relationship between song-associated reward and CB1 receptors in VTA and a significant negative relationship between song-associated reward and CB1 in PAG. There was a significant positive relationship between reward and the cannabinoid transporter FABP7 in POM and a significant negative relationship between reward and FABP7 in PAG. In Area X, FABP5 and DAGLα correlated positively with singing. These results suggest a role for endocannabinoid signaling in vocal production and reward associated with undirected communication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Song-associated reward correlates with endocannabinoid-related gene expression in male European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris )

et al. 2017

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“…Reward processing is further modulated by the endocannabinoid system that produces lipoid neuromodulators whose specific receptors (CB1) have been found within the VTA, hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus (for an extensive review of the influences of endocannabinoid system on behavior, see Sagheddu, Muntoni, Pistis, & Melis, 2015).…”

Section: The Aforementioned Pathways Have Been Demonstrated In Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: A neglected or unknown issue?

et al. 2019

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IntroductionSexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are mediated by complex, yet still not fully understood, interactions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems operating at the central and peripheral levels. Disruption of endocrine, neural, or vascular response, caused by aging, medical illness, neurological diseases, surgery, or drugs, can lead to sexual dysfunctions, thus significantly affecting patients' quality of life.PurposeThis narrative review aims at characterizing the involvement of the central nervous system in human sexual behavior.MethodsA literature search was conducted using PubMed in its entirety up to June 2018, analyzing the studies dealing with the neurobiological and neurophysiological basis of human sexuality.ResultsSexual behavior is regulated by both subcortical structures, such as the hypothalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord, and several cortical brain areas acting as an orchestra to finely adjust this primitive, complex, and versatile behavior. At the central level, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems appear to play a significant role in various factors of sexual response, although adrenergic, cholinergic, and other neuropeptide transmitter systems may contribute as well.ConclusionsProviding healthcare professionals with information concerning sexual behavior may overcome useless and sometimes dangerous barriers and improve patient management, since sexual well‐being is considered one of the most important aspects of one's quality of life.

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“…This interaction involves D1 and D2 class of receptors among possibly nine total receptor subtypes (2,(21)(22)(23). Although initially dubbed the pleasure or anti-stress neurotransmitter DA may primarily be considered to be a "motivation molecule" (24)(25)(26) that when released into the synapse increases feelings of well-being and reduces stress (27,28).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dopamine homeostasis brain functional connectivity in reward deficiency syndrome

et al. 2017

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Reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) was first proposed by Kenneth Blum in 1995 to provide a clinically relevant and predictive term for conditions involving deficits in mesocorticolimbic dopamine function. Genetic, molecular, and neuronal alterations in key components of this circuitry contribute to a reward deficit state that can drive drug-seeking, consumption, and relapse. Among the dysfunctions observed in RDS are dysregulated resting state networks, which recently have been assessed in detail in chronic drug users by, positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and functional connectivity analysis. A growing number of studies are helping to determine the putative roles of dopamine and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the regulation of activity in resting state networks, particularly in brain reward circuitry affected in drug use disorders. Indeed, we hypothesize in the present review that loss of homeostasis of these systems may lead to 'unbalanced' functional networks that might be both cause and outcome of disrupted synaptic communication between cortical and subcortical systems essential for controlling reward, emotional control, sensation seeking, and chronic drug use.

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Endocannabinoid Signaling in Motivation, Reward, and Addiction

Cited by 41 publications

References 322 publications

Song-associated reward correlates with endocannabinoid-related gene expression in male European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris )

Song-associated reward correlates with endocannabinoid-related gene expression in male European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris )

Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: A neglected or unknown issue?

Dopamine homeostasis brain functional connectivity in reward deficiency syndrome

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