Publications by authors named "P Kalivas"
Objective: The behavioral and diagnostic heterogeneity within the opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis is not readily captured in current animal models, limiting the translational relevance of the mechanistic research that is conducted in experimental animals. The authors hypothesized that a nonlinear clustering of OUD-like behavioral traits would capture population heterogeneity and yield subpopulations of OUD vulnerable rats with distinct behavioral and neurocircuit profiles.
Methods: Over 900 male and female heterogeneous stock rats, a line capturing genetic and behavioral heterogeneity present in humans, were assessed for several measures of heroin use and rewarded and non-rewarded seeking behaviors.
Objective: The behavioral and diagnostic heterogeneity within human opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis is not readily captured in current animal models, limiting translational relevance of the mechanistic research that is conducted in experimental animals. We hypothesize that a non-linear clustering of OUD-like behavioral traits will capture population heterogeneity and yield subpopulations of OUD vulnerable rats with distinct behavioral and neurocircuit profiles.
Methods: Over 900 male and female heterogeneous stock rats, a line capturing genetic and behavioral heterogeneity present in humans, were assessed for several measures of heroin use and rewarded and non-rewarded seeking behaviors.
Article Synopsis
- Neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) is essential for behaviors associated with seeking rewards, and the study explores how this activity relates to drug addiction.
- Researchers used advanced imaging techniques on specific neurons in mice to compare how these neurons responded to natural rewards like sucrose versus drug rewards such as cocaine, particularly during reward-seeking behavior.
- The results indicated that dopamine D1-receptor-expressing neurons in cocaine-trained mice showed consistent activity patterns that were linked to both reward-seeking and cue-induced cravings, suggesting that these neurons play a critical role in prioritizing drug seeking over natural rewards in substance use disorders.
Numerous findings confirm that the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are involved in the conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine. Here we focused on the role of mGluR5 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) as a main site of glutamate action on the rewarding effects of morphine. Firstly, we investigated the effects of intra-NAc administrating mGluR5 antagonist 3-((2-Methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl) ethynyl) pyridine hydrochloride (MTEP; 1, 3, and 10 μg/μl saline) on the extinction and the reinstatement phase of morphine CPP.
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- The study investigates the genetic factors influencing individual differences in opioid use disorder (OUD) vulnerability by conducting a genome-wide association study using over 850 rats.
- Researchers identified genetic variants linked to behaviors related to OUD, such as pain response, heroin use, and seeking behaviors, through a controlled environment that mimics human conditions.
- Key findings reveal several heritable behaviors and specific genetic variants related to pain sensitivity, heroin consumption patterns, and the neurological processes involved, highlighting potential targets for understanding and treating OUD.