Moderate ethanol drinking is sufficient to alter Ventral Tegmental Area dopamine neurons activity via functional and structural remodeling of GABAergic transmission

Ilari, Alice; Curti, L.; Petrella, Michele; Cannella, Nazzareno; Rocca, Antonella; Ranieri, Giuseppe; Gerace, Elisabetta; Iezzi, Daniela; Silvestri, Luciana; Mannaioni, Guido; Ciccocioppo, Roberto; Masi, Alessio

doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108883

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…This wide range of GABA-ergic inputs to the VTA can activate (1) GABA receptors on VTA DA neurons, which leads to their inhibition, and (2) GABA neurons, which disinhibit VTA DA neurons [ 18 ]. Therefore, it can be suggested that these GABA-related mechanisms take part in drug-induced abuse and complement direct and well-established DA-dependent mechanisms, especially so considering the most recent studies on the GABA-ergic system and drug of abuse, which have reported that voluntary alcohol intake in rats can alter the activity of DA neurons in VTA via functional and structural changes in GABA-ergic transmission [ 26 ] and that alcohol and cocaine coadministration affects the gene expression involved in the GABA-ergic system in the medial PFC and amygdala [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between GABA-Ergic System and the Expression of Mephedrone-Induced Reward in Rats—Behavioral, Chromatographic and In Vivo Imaging Study

Wronikowska-Denysiuk

Michalak

Pankowska

et al. 2023

IJMS

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Mephedrone is a psychoactive drug that increases dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the central nervous system via interaction with transporters or monoamines. The aim of the presented study was to assess the role of the GABA-ergic system in the expression of mephedrone-induced reward. For this purpose, we conducted (a) a behavioral evaluation of the impact of baclofen (a GABAB receptors agonist) and GS39783 (a positive allosteric modulator of GABAB receptors) on the expression of mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats, (b) an ex vivo chromatographic determination of the GABA level in the hippocampi of rats subchronically treated with mephedrone and (c) an in vivo evaluation of GABA hippocampal concentration in rats subchronically administered with mephedrone using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The results show that GS39783 (but not baclofen) blocked the expression of CPP induced by (20 mg/kg of) mephedrone. The behavioral effect was consistent with chromatographic analysis, which showed that mephedrone (5 and 20 mg/kg) led to a decrease in GABA hippocampal concentration. Altogether, the presented study provides a new insight into the involvement of the GABA-ergic system in the rewarding effects of mephedrone, implying that those effects are at least partially mediated through GABAB receptors, which suggests their potential role as new targets for the pharmacological management of mephedrone use disorder.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%