2023
Nicotine addiction: More than just dopamine
Kim K, Picciotto M. Nicotine addiction: More than just dopamine. Current Opinion In Neurobiology 2023, 83: 102797. PMID: 37832393, PMCID: PMC10842238, DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102797.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsNicotine addictionImportant public health problemAnti-tobacco messagingNicotine-induced behaviorsPublic health problemReward-related behaviorsNovel glutamateDopaminergic mechanismsSmoking cessationNicotine reinforcementMesolimbic systemNicotine seekingRecent studiesTherapeutic targetNicotine aversionHealth problemsActive investigationAdditional pathwaysSex differencesNicotine vapingMolecular mechanismsWithdrawalAddictionPathwayMolecular basisDeveloping Researchers with Expertise in Sex as a Biological Variable through SCORE Career Enhancement Core Center Programs
Zakiniaeiz Y, Peltier M, Mineur Y, Gueorguieva R, Picciotto M, Petrakis I, Cosgrove K, McKee S. Developing Researchers with Expertise in Sex as a Biological Variable through SCORE Career Enhancement Core Center Programs. Journal Of Women's Health 2023, 32: 852-857. PMID: 37585509, PMCID: PMC10457604, DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0015.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Sex differences in stress-induced alcohol intake: a review of preclinical studies focused on amygdala and inflammatory pathways
Mineur YS, Garcia-Rivas V, Thomas MA, Soares AR, McKee SA, Picciotto MR. Sex differences in stress-induced alcohol intake: a review of preclinical studies focused on amygdala and inflammatory pathways. Psychopharmacology 2022, 239: 2041-2061. PMID: 35359158, PMCID: PMC9704113, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06120-w.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsAlcohol intakeInflammatory pathwaysAlcohol drinkingStress-induced alcohol drinkingSex differencesSex-dependent effectsStress-induced alcoholEffects of stressPreclinical behavioral modelsAlcohol-dependent behaviorsMicroglial activationClinical studiesPreclinical studiesInflammatory signalingNeuronal functionAlcohol seekingIntakeFuture studiesDrinkingDifferencesAmygdalaPathwayStudyWomen
2021
Sex differences in progestogen- and androgen-derived neurosteroids in vulnerability to alcohol and stress-related disorders
Peltier MR, Verplaetse TL, Mineur YS, Gueorguieva R, Petrakis I, Cosgrove KP, Picciotto MR, McKee SA. Sex differences in progestogen- and androgen-derived neurosteroids in vulnerability to alcohol and stress-related disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021, 187: 108499. PMID: 33600842, PMCID: PMC7992136, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108499.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsStress-related disordersAlcohol useMajor depressive disorderAlcohol-related disordersAlcohol use disorderPosttraumatic stress disorderStress regulation systemComplex comorbiditiesDepressive disorderProblematic alcohol useUse disordersAlcohol misuseTherapeutic potentialTrauma exposureSubstance abuseStress disorderAnxiety disordersDisordersExposure resultsProgestogensNeurosteroidsNegative affectWomenComorbiditiesMale counterparts
2020
Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline
George AA, Vieira JM, Xavier-Jackson C, Gee MT, Cirrito JR, Bimonte-Nelson HA, Picciotto MR, Lukas RJ, Whiteaker P. Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline. Journal Of Neuroscience 2020, 41: 555-575. PMID: 33239400, PMCID: PMC7821864, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0876-20.2020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine ReceptorAmyloid beta-PeptidesAmyloid beta-Protein PrecursorAnimalsBasal ForebrainCell LineCognitive DysfunctionElectrophysiological PhenomenaFemaleGenotypeHumansMaleMaze LearningMiceMice, TransgenicNeuronsParasympathetic Nervous SystemPeptide FragmentsSignal TransductionConceptsBasal forebrain cholinergic neuronsNeuronal intrinsic excitabilityAlzheimer's diseaseCholinergic neuronsDiagonal bandIntrinsic excitabilityAPP/PS1 transgenic miceCognitive declineCharacteristics of ADMedial septum-diagonal bandNicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypesOligomeric amyloid betaAction potential firing rateForebrain cholinergic neuronsPS1 transgenic miceHorizontal diagonal bandLevels of amyloidSeptum-diagonal bandCurrent-clamp recordingsAcetylcholine receptor subtypesAction potential afterhyperpolarizationAge-matched littermatesOrganotypic slice culturesSpatial reference memoryHomomeric α7Acetylcholine is released in the basolateral amygdala in response to predictors of reward and enhances learning of cue-reward contingency
Crouse RB, Kim K, Batchelor HM, Girardi EM, Kamaletdinova R, Chan J, Rajebhosale P, Pittenger ST, Role LW, Talmage DA, Jing M, Li Y, Gao XB, Mineur YS, Picciotto MR. Acetylcholine is released in the basolateral amygdala in response to predictors of reward and enhances learning of cue-reward contingency. ELife 2020, 9: e57335. PMID: 32945260, PMCID: PMC7529459, DOI: 10.7554/elife.57335.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBasolateral amygdalaCue-reward learningActivity of neuronsReward-related eventsNucleus basalisBLA responsesACh levelsPredictors of rewardTerminal fibersNeuron activityReward-predictive cuesCalcium indicatorsAChNeutral cuesEmotional stimuliAversive stimuliReward retrievalTask acquisitionAmygdalaSalient eventsMiceACh sensorTerminal activityQuick acquisitionCuesGABA interneurons are the cellular trigger for ketamine’s rapid antidepressant actions
Gerhard DM, Pothula S, Liu RJ, Wu M, Li XY, Girgenti MJ, Taylor SR, Duman CH, Delpire E, Picciotto M, Wohleb ES, Duman RS. GABA interneurons are the cellular trigger for ketamine’s rapid antidepressant actions. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2020, 130: 1336-1349. PMID: 31743111, PMCID: PMC7269589, DOI: 10.1172/jci130808.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRapid antidepressant actionsAntidepressant actionGABA interneuronsMedial prefrontal cortexCell-specific knockdownPrinciple neuronsPrefrontal cortexDeletion of GluN2BSingle subanesthetic doseBehavioral actionsAction of ketamineNMDA receptor antagonistExcitatory postsynaptic currentsCellular triggersMajor unmet needKetamine's rapid antidepressant actionsGABA subtypeGluN2B-NMDARsSST interneuronsPostsynaptic currentsReceptor antagonistDepressed patientsSubanesthetic doseExtracellular glutamateMood disorders
2019
Variability in nicotine conditioned place preference and stress‐induced reinstatement in mice: Effects of sex, initial chamber preference, and guanfacine
Lee AM, Calarco CA, McKee SA, Mineur YS, Picciotto MR. Variability in nicotine conditioned place preference and stress‐induced reinstatement in mice: Effects of sex, initial chamber preference, and guanfacine. Genes Brain & Behavior 2019, 19: e12601. PMID: 31364813, PMCID: PMC8045136, DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12601.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStress-induced reinstatementEffects of guanfacinePlace preferenceFemale miceInfralimbic cortexArc immunoreactivityΑ2-adrenergic receptor agonistAnterior insulaNeurobiological mechanismsLateral central amygdalaNovel treatment optionsChamber preferencePlace preference acquisitionSex-dependent changesStress-induced relapseDose-response patternNucleus accumbens coreNicotine-dependent behaviorsSmoking occursTreatment optionsNicotine rewardReceptor agonistCentral amygdalaNeuronal activationPreclinical studiesInduction of reversible bidirectional social approach bias by olfactory conditioning in male mice
Chan J, Stout D, Pittenger ST, Picciotto MR, Lewis AS. Induction of reversible bidirectional social approach bias by olfactory conditioning in male mice. Social Neuroscience 2019, 15: 25-35. PMID: 31303111, PMCID: PMC6980898, DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2019.1644370.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositive social experiencesSocial avoidanceSocial experienceNegative social experiencesBrief social defeatApproach biasNeural representationApproach behaviorExperience valenceBehavioral paradigmsBehavioral confoundsMost paradigmsNegative conditioningOlfactory conditioningSocial approachSocial defeatBrain regionsSubstantial functional impairmentAvoidanceConditioningParadigmNeuropsychiatric disordersFunctional impairmentExperienceConfoundsSex differences in amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of tobacco smokers
Zakiniaeiz Y, Hillmer AT, Matuskey D, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Mazure CM, Picciotto MR, Huang Y, McKee SA, Morris ED, Cosgrove KP. Sex differences in amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of tobacco smokers. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019, 44: 2205-2211. PMID: 31269510, PMCID: PMC6897943, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0456-y.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsConceptsDA releasePositron emission tomographyD2R availabilityDorsolateral prefrontal cortexMale smokersFemale smokersTobacco smokingPrefrontal cortexAmphetamine-induced DA releaseAmphetamine-induced dopamine releaseCortical DA releaseMesocortical DA systemEffects of nicotineSmoking-related behaviorsMesolimbic dopamine systemLong-term abstinenceSex differencesGender-specific treatmentFemale nonsmokersTobacco smokersAmphetamine administrationDopamine releaseNeurochemical mechanismsNonsmokersSmokersPerinatal nicotine exposure impairs learning of a skilled forelimb reaching task in male but not female adult mice
Lee AM, Picciotto MR. Perinatal nicotine exposure impairs learning of a skilled forelimb reaching task in male but not female adult mice. Behavioural Brain Research 2019, 367: 176-180. PMID: 30959127, PMCID: PMC6481625, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.04.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine exposureSingle-pellet reaching taskMotor tasksCortical synaptic plasticityPerinatal nicotine exposureDevelopmental nicotine exposureGross motor functionNicotine-treated animalsNicotine-induced changesFemale adult miceSkilled motor taskGross motor performanceAdverse outcomesMotor cortexFemale miceMale miceMotor functionSkilled forelimbPreclinical studiesControl animalsAdult miceImpaired learningSynaptic plasticityFemale pupsMorphologic changes
2018
The 7q11.23 Protein DNAJC30 Interacts with ATP Synthase and Links Mitochondria to Brain Development
Tebbenkamp ATN, Varela L, Choi J, Paredes MI, Giani AM, Song JE, Sestan-Pesa M, Franjic D, Sousa AMM, Liu ZW, Li M, Bichsel C, Koch M, Szigeti-Buck K, Liu F, Li Z, Kawasawa YI, Paspalas CD, Mineur YS, Prontera P, Merla G, Picciotto MR, Arnsten AFT, Horvath TL, Sestan N. The 7q11.23 Protein DNAJC30 Interacts with ATP Synthase and Links Mitochondria to Brain Development. Cell 2018, 175: 1088-1104.e23. PMID: 30318146, PMCID: PMC6459420, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.09.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCopy number variationsATP synthase dimersOxidative phosphorylation supercomplexesHuman neurodevelopmental disordersATP synthaseWS pathogenesisGene contributionMitochondrial featuresBrain developmentWilliams syndromeMitochondrial dysfunctionNeocortical pyramidal neuronsNeural phenotypesMitochondriaPyramidal neuronsMachineryMorphological featuresNeurodevelopmental disordersDysfunctionSupercomplexesPhenotypeStriatin-1 is a B subunit of protein phosphatase PP2A that regulates dendritic arborization and spine development in striatal neurons
Li D, Musante V, Zhou W, Picciotto MR, Nairn AC. Striatin-1 is a B subunit of protein phosphatase PP2A that regulates dendritic arborization and spine development in striatal neurons. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2018, 293: 11179-11194. PMID: 29802198, PMCID: PMC6052221, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSerine/threonine phosphatase PP2AStriatin-interacting phosphataseRNA knockdown approachB subunitSTRIPAK complexPhosphatase PP2AProtein phosphataseMultiprotein complexesKnockdown approachStriatin familyMutant constructsStriatal neuronal culturesPP2ANeuronal developmentPrimary striatal neuronal culturesDendritic phenotypeKnockdown modelSynapse formationSubunitsSpine developmentSelective roleReduced expressionNeuron maturationNeuronal culturesStriatal neuronsAn Exploratory Trial of Transdermal Nicotine for Aggression and Irritability in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lewis AS, van Schalkwyk GI, Lopez MO, Volkmar FR, Picciotto MR, Sukhodolsky DG. An Exploratory Trial of Transdermal Nicotine for Aggression and Irritability in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders 2018, 48: 2748-2757. PMID: 29536216, PMCID: PMC6394231, DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3536-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutism spectrum disorderSpectrum disorderTransdermal nicotineDouble-blind crossover trialAggressive behaviorPreliminary efficacyAggressive symptomsSleep ratingsAggressionSubscale changesNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsNAChR agonistsPrimary outcomeNicotine treatmentCrossover trialExploratory trialΑ7 nAChRsAcetylcholine receptorsNicotineAdultsDisordersPlaceboNAChRsFurther investigationTrialsInteraction between noradrenergic and cholinergic signaling in amygdala regulates anxiety- and depression-related behaviors in mice
Mineur YS, Cahuzac EL, Mose TN, Bentham MP, Plantenga ME, Thompson DC, Picciotto MR. Interaction between noradrenergic and cholinergic signaling in amygdala regulates anxiety- and depression-related behaviors in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018, 43: 2118-2125. PMID: 29472646, PMCID: PMC6098039, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0024-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetylcholineAdrenergic alpha-AgonistsAlkaloidsAmygdalaAnimalsAnxietyAzocinesCholinesterase InhibitorsDepressionFemaleGene Knockdown TechniquesGuanfacineMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLNicotinic AgonistsNorepinephrineParasympathetic Nervous SystemQuinolizinesReceptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2Signal TransductionSympathetic Nervous SystemConceptsAntidepressant-like effectsNoradrenergic systemMale C57BL/6J miceDepression-related behaviorsDepression-like phenotypeNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsAntidepressant efficacyCholinergic interactionsNE terminalsC57BL/6J miceShRNA-mediated knockdownAgonist guanfacineAgonist cytisineClinical studiesSmoking relapseΑ2A receptorsAcute abstinenceBrain areasAcetylcholine receptorsAcetylcholineGuanfacineAmygdalaBehavioral effectsAnxiety disordersStress pathways
2017
The Effect of Treatment with Guanfacine, an Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonist, on Dopaminergic Tone in Tobacco Smokers: An [11C]FLB457 PET Study
Sandiego CM, Matuskey D, Lavery M, McGovern E, Huang Y, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Picciotto MR, Morris ED, McKee SA, Cosgrove KP. The Effect of Treatment with Guanfacine, an Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonist, on Dopaminergic Tone in Tobacco Smokers: An [11C]FLB457 PET Study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017, 43: 1052-1058. PMID: 28944773, PMCID: PMC5854798, DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.223.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTobacco smokersGuanfacine treatmentPositron emission tomographyTobacco smokingDA releaseDopaminergic toneDopamine releaseAmphetamine-induced DA releaseTobacco smoking cessationCortical dopamine releaseExtrastriatal brain regionsAlpha2-adrenergic agonistExtrastriatal dopamine releaseEffect of treatmentBaseline BPNDSmoking cessationReceptor radiotracerAdrenergic agonistsPET scansAnimal modelsBrain regionsEmission tomographyPET studiesDopamine signalingSmokersMenthol disrupts nicotine’s psychostimulant properties in an age and sex-dependent manner in C57BL/6J mice
Fait BW, Thompson DC, Mose TN, Jatlow P, Jordt SE, Picciotto MR, Mineur YS. Menthol disrupts nicotine’s psychostimulant properties in an age and sex-dependent manner in C57BL/6J mice. Behavioural Brain Research 2017, 334: 72-77. PMID: 28743602, PMCID: PMC5580257, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdult male miceNicotine intakeMale micePsychostimulant effectsPsychostimulant propertiesHome cage locomotor activitySex-dependent mannerSex-dependent mechanismsBlood levelsAdolescent miceFemale miceLocomotor stimulationLocomotor activityNicotine sensitivityAge groupsE-cigarettesMiceIntakeSignificant decreaseNicotineAgeSexBehavioral changesAdultsSpecific mechanismsMaternal smoking and autism spectrum disorder: meta-analysis with population smoking metrics as moderators
Jung Y, Lee AM, McKee SA, Picciotto MR. Maternal smoking and autism spectrum disorder: meta-analysis with population smoking metrics as moderators. Scientific Reports 2017, 7: 4315. PMID: 28659613, PMCID: PMC5489536, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04413-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMale smoking prevalenceMaternal smokingNicotine exposureSmoking prevalenceAdult male smoking prevalenceSignificant associationPostnatal nicotine exposureUtero nicotine exposureAutism spectrum disorderRandom-effects modelWorld Health Organization dataMeta-regression analysisSmoking metricsSmoke exposureSecondhand smokingPooled ORsObservational studySpectrum disorderSmokingBrain developmentControl participantsPrevalenceASD riskExposureAssociationAccess to nicotine in drinking water reduces weight gain without changing caloric intake on high fat diet in male C57BL/6J mice
Calarco CA, Lee S, Picciotto MR. Access to nicotine in drinking water reduces weight gain without changing caloric intake on high fat diet in male C57BL/6J mice. Neuropharmacology 2017, 123: 210-220. PMID: 28623168, PMCID: PMC5544033, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-fat dietCaloric intakeWeight gainFat dietFemale miceMale miceBody weightAdipose tissueEffects of HFDOverall caloric intakeAmphetamine-regulated transcriptNicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunitsLower body weightMelanin-concentrating hormoneSex-dependent mannerRegulation of agoutiChow-fed animalsAcetylcholine receptor subunitsNicotine administrationChronic consumptionArcuate nucleusNicotine dosesNicotine intakeFood intakeTobacco useEffect of doxazosin on stress reactivity and the ability to resist smoking
Verplaetse TL, Weinberger AH, Oberleitner LM, Smith KM, Pittman BP, Shi JM, Tetrault JM, Lavery ME, Picciotto MR, McKee SA. Effect of doxazosin on stress reactivity and the ability to resist smoking. Journal Of Psychopharmacology 2017, 31: 830-840. PMID: 28440105, PMCID: PMC5823502, DOI: 10.1177/0269881117699603.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTobacco cravingCortisol levelsSubsequent ad libitum smokingEffects of doxazosinAd libitum smokingNumber of cigarettesNicotine-motivated behaviorsSmoking lapse behaviorΑ1-adrenergic antagonistNicotine-deprived smokersTitration periodPreclinical findingsSmoking cessationNoradrenergic systemTreatment strategiesDoxazosinSmoking behaviorSmokingHuman laboratoryPhysiologic reactivityPilot studyStress reactivityEffects of stressCigarettesStress imagery