A unique multi-synaptic mechanism involving acetylcholine and GABA regulates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens through early adolescence in male rats.

Adolescence is characterized by changes in reward-related behaviors, social behaviors, and decision-making. These behavioral changes are necessary for the transition into adulthood, but they also increase vulnerability to the development of a range of psychiatric disorders. Major reorganization of the dopamine system during adolescence is thought to underlie, in part, the associated behavioral changes and increased vulnerability.

The effect of mixed culture fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus on fermentation parameters and flavor profile.

Belgian Saisons and Lambics are two well-known examples in the brewing industry of mixed fermentations, combination of two or more yeast and/or bacteria strains. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact different pitch rates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (traditional brewing yeast) and S. cerevisiae var.

GluN2B inhibition confers resilience against long-term cocaine-induced neurocognitive sequelae.

Cocaine self-administration can disrupt the capacity of humans and rodents to flexibly modify familiar behavioral routines, even when they become maladaptive or unbeneficial. However, mechanistic factors, particularly those driving long-term behavioral changes, are still being determined. Here, we capitalized on individual differences in oral cocaine self-administration patterns in adolescent mice and revealed that the post-synaptic protein PSD-95 was reduced in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of escalating, but not stable, responders, which corresponded with later deficits in flexible decision-making behavior.

A molecularly integrated amygdalo-fronto-striatal network coordinates flexible learning and memory.

Behavioral flexibility-that is, the ability to deviate from established behavioral sequences-is critical for navigating dynamic environments and requires the durable encoding and retrieval of new memories to guide future choice. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) supports outcome-guided behaviors. However, the coordinated neural circuitry and cellular mechanisms by which OFC connections sustain flexible learning and memory remain elusive.

Diurnal rhythms in cholinergic modulation of rapid dopamine signals and associative learning in the striatum.

Dysregulation of biological rhythms plays a role in a wide range of psychiatric disorders. We report mechanistic insights into the rhythms of rapid dopamine signals and cholinergic interneurons (CINs) working in concert in the rodent striatum. These rhythms mediate diurnal variation in conditioned responses to reward-associated cues.

Communication strategies used by Parkinson's nurse specialists during healthcare interactions: A qualitative descriptive study.

Aim: To explore the range and use of communication strategies by Parkinson's nurse specialists, and describe key communication strategies, to support health professionals in their healthcare interactions with people with Parkinson's.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study took place in an online setting.

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation of accumbal dopamine release covaries with novelty seeking.

Heightened novelty-seeking phenotypes are associated with a range of behavioural traits including susceptibility to drug use. These relationships are recapitulated in preclinical models, where rats that exhibit increased exploratory activity in novel environments (high responders-HR) acquire self-administration of psychostimulants more rapidly compared to rats that display low novelty exploration (low responders-LR). Dopamine release dynamics in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) covaries with response to novelty, and differences in dopaminergic signalling are thought to be a major underlying driver of the link between novelty seeking and drug use vulnerability.

Cocaine Elevates Calcium-Dependent Activator Protein for Secretion 2 in the Mouse Orbitofrontal Cortex.

Calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2; also referred to as CADPS2) is a dense core vesicle-associated protein that promotes the activity-dependent release of neuropeptides including neurotrophins. Addictive drugs appear to prime neurotrophin release in multiple brain regions, but mechanistic factors are still being elucidated. Here, experimenters administered cocaine to adolescent mice at doses that potentiated later cocaine self-administration.

Readability levels and thematic content analysis of online and printed lead poisoning informational materials.

Background: Lead poisoning prevention efforts include preparing and disseminating informational materials such as brochures and pamphlets to increase awareness of lead poisoning, lead exposures and lead poisoning prevention. However, studies have demonstrated that patient education materials for diseases and health conditions are prepared at a reading level that is higher than the recommended 7th-8th grade reading level. This study, therefore, aims to assess the reading levels of lead poisoning informational materials.

The PI3-Kinase p110β Isoform Controls Severity of Cocaine-Induced Sequelae and Alters the Striatal Transcriptome.

Background: The PI3-kinase (PI3K) complex is a well-validated target for mitigating cocaine-elicited sequelae, but pan-PI3K inhibitors are not viable long-term treatment options. The PI3K complex is composed of p110 catalytic and regulatory subunits, which can be individually manipulated for therapeutic purposes. However, this possibility has largely not been explored in behavioral contexts.

Perception and Utilization of Oral Screenings and Fluoride Application in Medical Offices Following the Michigan Caries Prevention Program Training.

The Michigan Caries Prevention Program (MCPP) aimed to reduce the burden of childhood dental disease in the state of Michigan by offering training programs to implement preventive oral health services during well-child medical visits. The purpose of this study was to elicit feedback from the participants of the MCPP and determine which oral health services were implemented post-training, identify implementation barriers and assess provider comfort levels in performing oral screenings and fluoride applications. A descriptive electronic survey was utilized for data collection.

Comparing dopamine release, uptake, and D2 autoreceptor function across the ventromedial to dorsolateral striatum in adolescent and adult male and female rats.

Adolescence is characterized by changes in behavior, such as increases in sensation seeking and risk taking, and increased vulnerability to developing a range of psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse disorders (SUD) and mood disorders. The mesolimbic dopamine system plays an essential role in mediating these behaviors and disorders. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how the dopamine system and its regulation are changing during this period of development.

Phasic Dopamine Release Magnitude Tracks Individual Differences in Sensitization of Locomotor Response following a History of Nicotine Exposure.

Smoking remains the primary cause of preventable death in the United States and smoking related illness costs more than $300 billion annually. Nicotine (the primary reinforcer in cigarettes) causes changes in behavior and neurochemistry that lead to increased probability of relapse. Given the role of mesolimbic dopamine projections in motivation, substance use disorder, and drug relapse, we examined the effect of repeated nicotine on rapid dopamine signals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats.

Action-Outcome Expectancies Require Orbitofrontal Neurotrophin Systems in Naïve and Cocaine-Exposed Mice.

Cocaine use during adolescence decreases the likelihood that individuals will seek treatment for recurrent drug use. In rodents, developmental cocaine exposure weakens action-consequence decision-making, causing a deferral to familiar, habit-like behavioral response strategies. Here, we aimed to improve action-outcome decision-making.

Cigarillo and Little Cigar Mainstream Smoke Constituents from Replicated Human Smoking.

Little cigar and cigarillo smoking is increasing in popularity in the U.S., but little is known about the topography and mainstream smoke (MSS) constituents of these types of cigar products.

Bidirectional coordination of actions and habits by TrkB in mice.

Specific corticostriatal structures and circuits are important for flexibly shifting between goal-oriented versus habitual behaviors. For example, the orbitofrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum are critical for goal-directed action, while the dorsolateral striatum supports habits. To determine the role of neurotrophin signaling, we overexpressed a truncated, inactive form of tropomyosin receptor kinase B [also called tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB)], the high-affinity receptor for Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, in the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial striatum and dorsolateral striatum.

(±)-MDMA and its enantiomers: potential therapeutic advantages of R(-)-MDMA.

The use of (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ((±)-MDMA) as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders dates back over 50 years. Only in recent years have controlled and peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical studies lent support to (±)-MDMA's hypothesized clinical utility. However, the clinical utility of (±)-MDMA is potentially mitigated by a range of demonstrated adverse effects.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Increases Affiliative Behaviors in Squirrel Monkeys in a Serotonin 2A Receptor-Dependent Manner.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) increases sociality in humans and animals. Release of serotonin (5-HT) is thought to have an important role in the increase in social behaviors, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Despite the advantages of nonhuman primate models, no studies have examined the mechanisms of the social effects of MDMA in nonhuman primates.

Norepinephrine regulates cocaine-primed reinstatement via α1-adrenergic receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Drug-primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats is thought to reflect relapse-like behavior and is mediated by the integration of signals from mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic projections and corticostriatal glutamatergic innervation. Cocaine-primed reinstatement can also be attenuated by systemic administration of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitors, which prevent norepinephrine (NE) synthesis, or by α1-adrenergic receptor (α1AR) antagonists, indicating functional modulation by the noradrenergic system. In the present study, we sought to further discern the role of NE in cocaine-seeking behavior by determining whether α1AR activation can induce reinstatement on its own or is sufficient to permit cocaine-primed reinstatement in the absence of all other AR signaling, and identifying the neuroanatomical substrate within the mesocorticolimbic reward system harboring the critical α1ARs.

Race-related differences in tissue dielectric constant measured noninvasively at 300 MHz in male and female skin at multiple sites and depths.

Background/purpose: We hypothesized that reported race-related differences in skin properties cause skin and skin-to-fat water differences among races that are measureable by skin tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values that depend strongly on water content. Our first aim was to test this hypothesis. Also, since inter-side TDC ratios are used to assess edema and lymphedema, the second aim was to test if TDC ratios are race-dependent.

The Diagnosis and Manifestations of Liver Injury Secondary to Off-Label Androgenic Anabolic Steroid Use.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) presents as a broad spectrum of adverse drug reactions which can range from a mild elevation in liver enzymes to fulminant liver failure. The primary goal is to identify DILI early when the patient's liver enzymes are elevated and to discontinue the offending agent as soon as possible to prevent further injury. Herbal, dietary supplements and anabolic steroids represent a significant component of the drugs thought to cause DILI in the United States.

Prefrontal cortical BDNF: A regulatory key in cocaine- and food-reinforced behaviors.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) affects synaptic plasticity and neural structure and plays key roles in learning and memory processes. Recent evidence also points to important, yet complex, roles for BDNF in rodent models of cocaine abuse and addiction. Here we examine the role of prefrontal cortical (PFC) BDNF in reward-related decision making and behavioral sensitivity to, and responding for, cocaine.

The effects of amphetamine, butorphanol, and their combination on cocaine self-administration.

There have been recent calls to examine the efficacy of drug-combination therapies in the treatment of substance use disorders. The purpose of the present study was to examine the ability of a novel stimulant-opioid combination to reduce cocaine self-administration, and to compare these effects to those of each drug administered alone. To this end, male Long-Evans rats were implanted with intravenous catheters and trained to self-administer cocaine under positive reinforcement contingencies.

Social preference and drug self-administration: a preclinical model of social choice within peer groups.

Background: selection models of substance use propose that individuals choose or self-select into peer groups based on shared substance use histories. Few experimental studies have examined the role of selection in substance use, possibly because few preclinical models allow subjects to choose or select individuals based on a shared self-administration history.

Methods: In the present study, we used custom-built, three-compartment, operant conditioning chambers that permitted multiple rats to self-administer cocaine simultaneously in the same session.