Featured Publications
Pharmacological modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a mouse model of mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal
Jackson A, Papke RL, Damaj MI. Pharmacological modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a mouse model of mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Psychopharmacology 2018, 235: 1897-1905. PMID: 29549391, PMCID: PMC6015775, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4879-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositive allosteric modulatorsΑ7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorMecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawalNicotine withdrawal behaviorsNicotine withdrawalNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsSomatic signsPharmacological modulationNon-selective nAChR antagonist mecamylamineAcetylcholine receptorsNicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaWithdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaDose-related fashionNicotine withdrawal signsNAChR antagonist mecamylamineAnxiety-like behaviorAntagonist mecamylamineWithdrawal signsPreclinical dataNicotine rewardΑ7 nAChRsAgonist PNU282987Mouse modelWithdrawal behaviorAllosteric modulators
2021
Potentiation of (α4)2(β2)3, but not (α4)3(β2)2, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors reduces nicotine self-administration and withdrawal symptoms
Hamouda AK, Bautista MR, Akinola LS, Alkhlaif Y, Jackson A, Carper M, Toma WB, Garai S, Chen YC, Thakur GA, Fowler CD, Damaj MI. Potentiation of (α4)2(β2)3, but not (α4)3(β2)2, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors reduces nicotine self-administration and withdrawal symptoms. Neuropharmacology 2021, 190: 108568. PMID: 33878302, PMCID: PMC8169606, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108568.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositive allosteric modulatorsWithdrawal symptomsHypothermic effectMale miceAntinociceptive effectΑ4β2 nAChRsNicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaNAChR isoformsNicotine's antinociceptive effectsWithdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaNicotine withdrawal symptomsNicotine addiction treatmentAnxiety-like behaviorNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsDose-dependent mannerNociceptive responsesNicotine withdrawalNicotine intakeSomatic signsNicotine abstinencePharmacological effectsNicotine useAcetylcholine receptorsAffective symptomsPathophysiological processes
2019
The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice
Jackson AB, Toma W, Contreras KM, Alkhlaif Y, Damaj MI. The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice. Pharmacology Biochemistry And Behavior 2019, 183: 1-5. PMID: 31145916, PMCID: PMC7197262, DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal signsWithdrawal signsNicotine rewardNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsWT miceNicotine dependenceAcetylcholine receptorsNicotine dependence behaviorsNicotine-dependent miceAffective nicotine withdrawal signsΒ3 subunitTobacco use disorderNicotine-induced CPPSimilar somatic symptomsPlace preference testNew molecular targetsAffective withdrawal signsAddictive componentSpontaneous withdrawalWithdrawal studyKO miceFemale miceHealth burdenPhysical signsUse disorders
2018
New insights on the effects of varenicline on nicotine reward, withdrawal and hyperalgesia in mice
Bagdas D, Alkhlaif Y, Jackson A, Carroll FI, Ditre JW, Damaj MI. New insights on the effects of varenicline on nicotine reward, withdrawal and hyperalgesia in mice. Neuropharmacology 2018, 138: 72-79. PMID: 29860196, PMCID: PMC6054891, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffects of vareniclineNicotine withdrawal signsNicotine rewardΑ5 nAChRWithdrawal signsHigh doseKnockout miceΒ2-nAChRsNicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaAdministration of vareniclineWithdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaΑ7 knockout miceDose-related mannerNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsΑ5 knockout micePlace preference testVarenicline doseCessation treatmentNicotine withdrawalSomatic signsVareniclineΑ7 nAChRsMouse modelCPP testNicotinic subtypesN-Oleoyl-glycine reduces nicotine reward and withdrawal in mice
Donvito G, Piscitelli F, Muldoon P, Jackson A, Vitale RM, D'Aniello E, Giordano C, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Mustafa MA, Guida F, Petrie GN, Parker L, Smoum R, Sim-Selley L, Maione S, Lichtman AH, Damaj MI, Di Marzo V, Mechoulam R. N-Oleoyl-glycine reduces nicotine reward and withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology 2018, 148: 320-331. PMID: 29567093, PMCID: PMC6408981, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBrain Injuries, TraumaticCerebral CortexConditioning, ClassicalGlycineMaleMecamylamineMiceNicotineOleic AcidsOxazolesPPAR alphaRewardSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeTobacco Use DisorderTyrosineConceptsTraumatic brain injuryNicotine-dependent miceNicotine addictionNicotine rewardInsular cortexWithdrawal responseNicotine CPPExperimental traumatic brain injuryPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alphaProliferator-activated receptor alphaPlace preference paradigmN-oleoyl glycineTobacco smokingMorphine CPPCigarette smokersIntraperitoneal administrationAntagonist GW6471Brain damageBrain injuryOlGlySystemic administrationRewarding effectsReceptor alphaMicePreference paradigm
2017
Assessment of nicotine withdrawal-induced changes in sucrose preference in mice
Alkhlaif Y, Bagdas D, Jackson A, Park AJ, Damaj IM. Assessment of nicotine withdrawal-induced changes in sucrose preference in mice. Pharmacology Biochemistry And Behavior 2017, 161: 47-52. PMID: 28919072, PMCID: PMC6408212, DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.08.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnhedoniaAnimalsMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutNicotineNicotinic AgonistsSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeSucroseTobacco Use DisorderConceptsSucrose preference testNicotine withdrawalSpontaneous nicotine withdrawalLight-dark box testDark box testPositive affective stimuliSucrose preferenceAffective signsSmoking relapse ratesΑ6 KO miceSubcutaneous osmotic minipumpsWithdrawal-induced changesUnderlying neurobiological factorsPreference testRelapse rateOsmotic minipumpsKO miceTobacco useNicotine dependenceKnockout miceAnimal modelsNicotinic subunitsDay 15MiceDifferent dosesReversal of Nicotine Withdrawal Signs Through Positive Allosteric Modulation of α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Male Mice
Hamouda AK, Jackson A, Bagdas D, Damaj M. Reversal of Nicotine Withdrawal Signs Through Positive Allosteric Modulation of α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Male Mice. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2017, 20: 903-907. PMID: 29059422, PMCID: PMC5991208, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx183.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal symptomsSpontaneous nicotine withdrawalNicotine withdrawal signsNicotine withdrawalWithdrawal symptomsPositive allosteric modulatorsCessation aidWithdrawal signsMale miceMouse modelAllosteric modulatorsNicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonistNAChR-positive allosteric modulatorsAcetylcholine receptor agonistDose-dependent reversalICR male miceΑ4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorsPositive allosteric modulationAnxiety-like behaviorNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsPotential clinical useAcute injectionRelapse rateTobacco smokingDay infusionIn vivo interactions between α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α: Implication for nicotine dependence
Jackson A, Bagdas D, Muldoon PP, Lichtman AH, Carroll FI, Greenwald M, Miles MF, Damaj MI. In vivo interactions between α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α: Implication for nicotine dependence. Neuropharmacology 2017, 118: 38-45. PMID: 28279662, PMCID: PMC5410388, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorAnesthetics, LocalAnimalsBenzamidesBridged Bicyclo CompoundsCocaineConditioning, OperantDisease Models, AnimalFenofibrateHypolipidemic AgentsMaleMiceMice, Inbred ICRNicotineNicotinic AgonistsOxazolesPPAR alphaPyrimidinesSelf AdministrationSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeTobacco Use DisorderTyrosineConceptsNicotine dependenceNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsNicotine rewardΑ7 nAChRsNicotine CPPWY-14643Acetylcholine receptorsRewarding propertiesNuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorsΑ7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorVentral tegmental area dopamine cellsEffect of α7Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorNicotine withdrawal signsSmoking cessation therapyChronic tobacco useCurrent smoking cessation therapiesPPARα antagonist GW6471Main addictive componentPPARα-dependent mannerProliferator-activated receptorNicotine rewarding propertiesPlace preference testHomomeric α7 nAChRsSelf-administration model
2015
N-acetylcysteine decreased nicotine reward-like properties and withdrawal in mice
Bowers M, Jackson A, Maldoon P, Damaj M. N-acetylcysteine decreased nicotine reward-like properties and withdrawal in mice. Psychopharmacology 2015, 233: 995-1003. PMID: 26676982, PMCID: PMC4819399, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4179-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetylcysteineAnimalsAssociation LearningDose-Response Relationship, DrugMaleMecamylamineMiceMice, Inbred ICRNicotineRewardSubstance Withdrawal SyndromeTobacco Use DisorderConceptsAnxiety-like behaviorN-acetylcysteineContinuous nicotineNicotine place conditioningSaline-treated miceNicotine-treated miceMale ICR miceSomatic withdrawal signsHigh clinical utilityPlace aversion paradigmPlace preference paradigmReward-like propertiesN-acetylcysteine pretreatmentSpontaneous withdrawalExtrasynaptic glutamateWithdrawal signsICR miceNicotine rewardSmoking ratesSomatic signsClinical utilityNicotine dependenceFood CPPNicotine CPPObjectivesThe aimEffects of Menthol on Nicotine Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacology and Dependence in Mice
Alsharari SD, King JR, Nordman JC, Muldoon PP, Jackson A, Zhu AZ, Tyndale RF, Kabbani N, Damaj MI. Effects of Menthol on Nicotine Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacology and Dependence in Mice. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0137070. PMID: 26355604, PMCID: PMC4565647, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137070.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine pharmacokineticsSubunit expressionBrain regionsAcute pharmacological effectsNicotine-induced antinociceptionNicotine plasma levelsMale ICR miceStriatum of miceEffect of mentholSignificant increaseAddition of mentholAdministration of mentholWestern blot analysisChronic injectionsWithdrawal signsBrain levelsICR miceNicotine cigarettesPlasma levelsSystemic administrationNicotine clearanceNicotinic receptorsPharmacological effectsNicotinic subunitsCommon flavoringEffects of orally-bioavailable short-acting kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist LY2456302 on nicotine withdrawal in mice
Jackson KJ, Jackson A, Carroll FI, Damaj MI. Effects of orally-bioavailable short-acting kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist LY2456302 on nicotine withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology 2015, 97: 270-274. PMID: 26044637, PMCID: PMC4537361, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.05.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal syndromeWithdrawal syndromeKOR antagonistsAnxiety-related behaviorNicotine withdrawalSomatic signsKappa Opioid Receptor SignalingSelective KOR antagonistAffective nicotine withdrawal signsNicotine withdrawal signsOpioid receptor signalingUseful therapeutic agentShort actingHotplate latencyWithdrawal signsPharmacodynamic profileClinical studiesMood disordersLY2456302Animal modelsPlace aversionDrug dependenceTherapeutic potentialDecreased expressionAntagonist