2024
L-type calcium channel regulation of depression, anxiety and anhedonia-related behavioral phenotypes following chronic stress exposure
Nunes E, Kebede N, Rajadhyaksha A, Addy N. L-type calcium channel regulation of depression, anxiety and anhedonia-related behavioral phenotypes following chronic stress exposure. Neuropharmacology 2024, 257: 110031. PMID: 38871116, PMCID: PMC11334593, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic unpredictable stressHome cage controlsElevated plus mazeForced swim testSucrose preference testCUS-induced decreaseChronic stress exposureImmobility timeStress exposureL-type calcium channelsDays of chronic unpredictable stressAnxiogenic-like behavioral responsesForced swim test immobility timeBehavioral responsesPre-existing mental health challengesAntidepressant-like responseOpen arm timeMood-related disordersRegulation of depressionExposure to chronic stressorsMale ratsL-type calcium channel blocker isradipineArm timePlus mazeSucrose preference
2019
Cholinergic Receptor Blockade in the VTA Attenuates Cue-Induced Cocaine-Seeking and Reverses the Anxiogenic Effects of Forced Abstinence
Nunes EJ, Bitner L, Hughley SM, Small KM, Walton SN, Rupprecht LE, Addy NA. Cholinergic Receptor Blockade in the VTA Attenuates Cue-Induced Cocaine-Seeking and Reverses the Anxiogenic Effects of Forced Abstinence. Neuroscience 2019, 413: 252-263. PMID: 31271832, PMCID: PMC6661179, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.06.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCue-induced cocaineAnxiety-related behaviorDrug relapseOpen arm timeCholinergic receptor blockadeCocaine abstinenceVentral tegmental areaSubstance abuseSelf-administer intravenous cocaineMuscarinic receptor antagonist scopolaminePeriod of abstinenceAnxiogenic effectsReceptor blockadeCholinergic mechanismsCocaine-naïve ratsNicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamineMale Sprague-Dawley ratsDrug abstinenceSprague-Dawley ratsDose-dependent increaseCocaine-naive ratsAntagonist scopolamineEPM behaviorSaline ratsAbstinence