Featured Paper of the Month – November 2020. The nonmedical (i.e., recreational) misuse of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) is a worldwide public health problem. When compared to cannabis, the misuse of SCs is associated with a higher incidence of serious adverse effects, suggesting the possible involvement of noncannabinoid sites of action. Here, we find that, unlike… [Read More]
Featured Paper of the Month
Modafinil potentiates cocaine self-administration by a dopamine-independent mechanism: possible involvement of gap junctions
Featured Paper of the Month – October 2020. Modafinil and methylphenidate are clinically available medications that inhibit the reuptake of dopamine in neurons, a common mechanism with psychostimulants like cocaine. We investigated the reinforcing actions of modafinil or methylphenidate alone and in combination with cocaine, in rats. While rats did not self-administer modafinil, suggesting low… [Read More]
The mechanism of a high-affinity allosteric inhibitor of the serotonin transporter
Featured Paper of the Month – September 2020. The serotonin transporter (SERT) terminates serotonin signaling by rapid presynaptic reuptake. SERT activity is modulated by antidepressants, e.g., S-citalopram and imipramine, to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. SERT crystal structures reveal two S-citalopram binding pockets in the central binding (S1) site and the extracellular vestibule (S2… [Read More]
Role of Projections between Piriform Cortex and Orbitofrontal Cortex in Relapse to Fentanyl Seeking after Palatable Food Choice-Induced Voluntary Abstinence
Featured Paper of the Month – August 2020. Fentanyl is a major contributor to the opioid overdose crisis, but there are few preclinical studies of fentanyl relapse. These studies have used experimenter-imposed extinction or forced abstinence procedures. In humans, however, abstinence is often voluntary, with drug available in the drug environment but forgone in favor… [Read More]
Intrinsic differences in insular circuits moderate the negative association between nicotine dependence and cingulate-striatal connectivity strength
Featured Paper of the Month – July 2020. Developing brain-based biomarkers to assess drug dependence, including nicotine dependence, are essential to assess and improve the current, marginally effective, treatments. In humans, using brain-based resting state functional connectivity, we have previously identified a circuit between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex(ACC) and the striatum whose connectivity decreased… [Read More]
The Role of Peripheral Opioid Receptors in Triggering Heroin-induced Brain Hypoxia
Featured Paper of the Month – June 2020. One of the deadliest effects of opioids, such as heroin, is respiratory depression followed by brain hypoxia. While it is known that opioid receptors are densely expressed in both the brain and periphery, it is widely accepted that the hypoxic effects of opioids result solely from their… [Read More]
Distinct inactive conformations of the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors correspond to different extents of inverse agonism.
Featured Paper of the Month – May 2020. Lane et al. proposed that different types of antagonists could prefer specific types of inactive conformations of the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors. Based on the structures of these two receptors, the conformations of D2 bound with the drugs risperidone and eticlopride (two dopamine antagonists) were simulated and compared. The… [Read More]
Cocaine-induced endocannabinoid signaling mediated by sigma-1 receptors and extracellular vesicle secretion.
Featured Paper of the Month – Apil 2020. By studying brain tissue and neurons in vitro, Nakamura, Dryanovski et al. show that cocaine stimulates the release of endocannabinoids via extracellular vesicles. In essence, cocaine causes neurons to synthesize endocannabinoids that are then enclosed within membrane-bound packages. These packages – or extracellular vesicles – can then… [Read More]
Dopamine neuron ensembles signal the content of sensory prediction errors
Featured Paper of the Month – March 2020. Midbrain dopamine neurons have long been thought to collectively signal a value prediction error, indicating whether the value of an event is greater or less than expected. A few years ago, our lab showed that these neurons also signal if an event is different than expected, without… [Read More]
High-potency ligands for DREADD imaging and activation in rodents and monkeys.
Featured Paper of the Month – February 2020. Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) are a popular chemogenetic technology for manipulation of neuronal activity in uninstrumented awake animals with potential for human applications as well. The prototypical DREADD agonist clozapine N-oxide (CNO) lacks brain entry and converts to clozapine, making it difficult to apply in… [Read More]
