(-)-Stepholidine reduces cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking and cocaine self-administration in rats.

Background: Dopamine receptors are implicated in cocaine reward and seeking. We hypothesize that (-)-stepholidine, a dopamine D1/D2/D3 multi-receptor agent, would be effective in reducing cocaine reward and seeking in an animal model. We investigated the effects of (-)-stepholidine in cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking and cocaine self-administration (reward).

No evidence that environmental enrichment during rearing protects against cocaine behavioral effects but as an intervention reduces an already established cocaine conditioned place preference.

Objectives: Environmental enrichment (EE) produces differential effects on psychostimulant-related behaviors. Therefore, we investigated whether the timing of EE exposure - during rearing and before cocaine exposure versus in adulthood and after cocaine exposure might be a determining factor.

Methods: In Experiment 1, rats reared with EE or not (non-EE) were conditioned with cocaine (5, 10 or 20mg/kg) in one compartment of a CPP apparatus and saline in the other, and later tested for cocaine CPP.

Environmental enrichment as a potential intervention for heroin seeking.

Background: Heroin-related cues can trigger craving and relapse in addicts or heroin seeking in rats. In the present study we investigated whether environmental enrichment (EE) implemented after heroin exposure can reduce cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking and expression of heroin conditioned place preference.

Methods: In Experiment 1, male Long Evans rats that already acquired a heroin self-administration habit, were housed in enriched or non-enriched environments, underwent extinction training and later were tested for cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking.

Energy deficit in parvalbumin neurons leads to circuit dysfunction, impaired sensory gating and social disability.

Parvalbumin-expressing, fast spiking interneurons have high-energy demands, which make them particularly susceptible to energy impairment. Recent evidence suggests a link between mitochondrial dysfunction in fast spiking cortical interneurons and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction restricted to parvalbumin interneurons has not been directly addressed in vivo.

The selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist, SR 21502, reduces cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking and heroin conditioned place preference in rats.

Background: Because the role of dopamine (DA) D3 receptors has been investigated primarily in relation to cocaine-related behaviors little is known of the role of these receptors in heroin seeking.

Purposes: To investigate the effect of the selective DA D3 receptor antagonist, SR 21502, on cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking and heroin conditioned place preference (CPP).

Methods: In experiment 1, rats were trained to self-administer intravenous heroin for 15 days followed by extinction.

Microinjections of a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist into the ventral tegmental area block the expression of cocaine conditioned place preference in rats.

Stimulation of dopamine (DA) D1 receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is involved in primary rewards. In the current study we investigated whether VTA D1 receptor stimulation likewise plays a role in mediating the rewarding effects of cocaine-associated stimuli, using the cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Rats were prepared with cannulae so as to allow microinjections in the VTA and later conditioned to a cocaine-associated environment using the CPP paradigm.

Identification and management of vascular risk: beyond low density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Vascular disease is basically an inherited metabolic disease. Eighty percent of individuals who develop disease have the same blood cholesterol levels as individuals who do not develop disease. With vascular disease pervasive throughout the world and current assessment techniques insufficient to identify those at risk, use of a multifactorial approach to vascular assessment is prudent.