The rostromedial tegmental nucleus RMTg is not a critical site for ethanol-induced motor activation in rats.

Rationale: Opioid drugs indirectly activate dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) through a disinhibition mechanism mediated by mu opioid receptors (MORs) present both on the GABA projection neurons located in the medial tegmental nucleus/tail of the VTA (RMTg/tVTA) and on the VTA GABA interneurons. It is well demonstrated that ethanol, like opioid drugs, provokes VTA DA neuron disinhibition by interacting (through its secondary metabolite, salsolinol) with MORs present in VTA GABA interneurons, but it is not known whether ethanol could disinhibit VTA DA neurons through the MORs present in the RMTg/tVTA.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to determine whether ethanol, directly microinjected into the tVTA/RMTg, is also able to induce VTA DA neurons disinhibition.

Sex-related differences in the efficacy of Baclofen enantiomers on self-administered alcohol in a binge drinking pattern and dopamine release in the core of the nucleus accumbens.

Clinical studies on the effectiveness of Baclofen in alcohol use disorder (AUD) yielded mixed results possibly because of differential effects of the enantiomers and sex-related differences. Here we examined the effect of the different Baclofen enantiomers on alcohol intake and on evoked dopamine release in the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in male and female Long Evans rats. Rats were trained to chronically self-administer 20% alcohol solution in daily binge drinking sessions and were treated with the different forms of Baclofen [RS(±), R(+) and S(-)].

N-Acetylcysteine normalizes brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation observed after protracted ethanol abstinence: a preclinical study in long-term ethanol-experienced male rats.

Rationale: Using a preclinical model based on the Alcohol Deprivation Effect (ADE), we have reported that N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) can prevent the relapse-like drinking behaviour in long-term ethanol-experienced male rats.

Objectives: To investigate if chronic ethanol intake and protracted abstinence affect several glutamate transporters and whether NAC, administered during the withdrawal period, could restore the ethanol-induced brain potential dysfunctions. Furthermore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of NAC during abstinence in rats under the ADE paradigm were also explored.

The Effects of -Acetylcysteine on the Rat Mesocorticolimbic Pathway: Role of mGluR5 Receptors and Interaction with Ethanol.

-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a prodrug that is marketed as a mucolytic agent and used for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose. Over the last few decades, evidence has been gathered that suggests the potential use of NAC as a new pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD), although its mechanism of action is already being debated. In this paper, we set out to assess both the potential involvement of the glutamate metabotropic receptors (mGluR) in the possible dual effect of NAC administered at two different doses and NAC's effect on ethanol-induced activation.

Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of alcohol relapse-like drinking: Study in long-term ethanol-experienced male rats.

Alcohol use disorders are chronic and highly relapsing disorders, thus alcoholic patients have a high rate of recidivism for drug use even after long periods of abstinence. The literature points to the potential usefulness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the management of several substance use disorders probably due to its capacity to restore brain homeostasis of the glutamate system disrupted in addiction. However, there is little evidence in the case of alcohol.

Impaired proteasome activity and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation in FBXO7 defect.

Unlabelled: FBXO7 is implicated in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and parkin-mediated mitophagy. FBXO7defects cause a levodopa-responsive parkinsonian-pyramidal syndrome(PPS).

Methods: We investigated the disease molecular bases in a child with PPS and brain iron accumulation.

Antibody responses to influenza vaccine in patients on biological therapy: Results of RIER cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Influenza vaccine is recommended for patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases who receive biological therapy. To evaluate if biological therapy impairs immunization after seasonal influenza vaccine.

Material And Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthopathies, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue diseases who were receiving or were going to initiate biological therapy were included and vaccinated during 2014-2015 influenza season.