Highly Specific Miniaturized Fluorescent Monoacylglycerol Lipase Probes Enable Translational Research.

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the pivotal catabolic enzyme responsible for signal termination in the endocannabinoid system. Inhibition of MAGL offers unique advantages over the direct activation of cannabinoid receptors in treating cancer, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Although specific fluorescent molecular imaging probes are commonly used for the real-time analysis of the localization and distribution of drug targets in cells, they are almost invariably composed of a linker connecting the pharmacophore with a large fluorophore.

A Highly Selective and Versatile Probe Platform for Visualization of Monoacylglycerol Lipase.

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a key enzyme for signal termination in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). MAGL inhibition results in indirect activation of the cannabinoid receptors, which offers unique advantages for the treatment of, e.g.

Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens core but not shell reduces motivational components of heroin taking and seeking in rats.

Background: Deep brain stimulation is explored as a new intervention for treatment-resistant substance use dependence. A candidate brain region is the nucleus accumbens, due to its involvement in reward and motivation. This study aimed to explore effects of NAcore and NAshell deep brain stimulation on aspects of heroin taking and seeking in a self-administration model for rats.

Deep Brain Stimulation of the Nucleus Accumbens Core Affects Trait Impulsivity in a Baseline-Dependent Manner.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens (NA) is explored as a treatment for refractory psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depressive disorder (MDD), and substance use disorder (SUD). A common feature of some of these disorders is pathological impulsivity. Here, the effects of NAcore DBS on impulsive choice and impulsive action, two distinct forms of impulsive behavior, were investigated in translational animal tasks, the delayed reward task (DRT) and five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), respectively.

Unidirectional relationship between heroin self-administration and impulsive decision-making in rats.

Rationale: There is growing clinical evidence for a strong relationship between drug addiction and impulsivity. However, it is not fully clear whether impulsivity is a pre-existing trait or a consequence of drug abuse. Recent observations in the animal models show that pre-existing levels of impulsivity predict cocaine and nicotine seeking.