Behavioral evidence indicates that the neuropeptide nociceptin/orphaninFQ (NOC) attenuates ethanol intake and relapse associated with ethanol exposure and stressful events. Because the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) plays a crucial role in ethanol dependence, we speculate that the anti-alcohol and anti-stress properties of NOC are mediated via its interactions with the GABA and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems within the CeA. Our research is centered on the effects of acute and chronic ethanol on CeA neurons. We demonstrated that acute ethanol increases GABA transmission in CeA of both na?ve and ethanol-dependent rats by increasing GABA release, and that this ethanol effect involves intermediary substrates such as presynaptic CRF1 receptors. We recently reported that NOC decreases GABAergic transmission and release and prevents the ethanol-induced enhancement of GABAergic transmission in CeA. Our preliminary studies indicate that NOC opposes the actions of CRF, and that neuroadaptations such as increased sensitivity of the NOC system occur during the development of ethanol dependence in CeA. So far the mechanism of NOC action is unknown, and the interactions of the NOC and CRF systems likely to take place to regulate the synaptic effects of ethanol have not been investigated. Based on these combined findings, in this research proposal we will use electrophysiological, molecular biological and in vivo microdialysis approaches to study the antagonistic role of NOC in the ethanol effects on GABAergic transmission in CeA and the molecular mechanisms that mediate such NOC effects (Aims 1 and 2). We also intend to uncover the neuroadaptive response(s) of the NOC system associated with ethanol dependence (Aims 1 and 2).
In Aim 3, we will test our hypothesis that NOC opposes CRF effects at a presynaptic site, and we will identify the interactions of NOC and CRF on GABAergic synapses in CeA. Emphasis will be given to determine the neuroadaptations that take place between the NOC and CRF systems in association with ethanol-dependence. A better understanding of the neuroadaptations shaping the synaptic networks involved in ethanol-dependence represents a challenge to alcohol researchers and will be useful toward the uncovering of new therapeutic agents to alleviate alcohol dependence. PUBLIC HEATLH

Public Health Relevance

Recent behavioral studies have revealed a modulatory effect of the neuropeptide nociceptin on ethanol- and stress-related phenomena, suggesting an important role of nociceptin in ethanol dependence. However, until now there have been no physiological data on the possible interactions of nociceptin and ethanol at the synaptic level. Therefore, the experiments proposed in this application will use electrophysiological, molecular biological and in vivo microdialysis approaches to study for the first time the cellular interactions of nociceptin, ethanol and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems at GABAergic synapses in the central nucleus of the amygdala, a brain region highly implicated in alcohol dependence. Emphasis will be given to determining the neuroadaptations that take place between the nociceptin and CRF systems in association with ethanol dependence. A better understanding of the neuroadaptations shaping the synaptic networks involved in ethanol dependence will be useful toward revealing new therapeutic agents to alleviate alcohol dependence.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA016985-02
Application #
7624642
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-A (02))
Program Officer
Liu, Qi-Ying
Project Start
2008-05-20
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$383,738
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Roberto, Marisa; Varodayan, Florence P (2017) Synaptic targets: Chronic alcohol actions. Neuropharmacology 122:85-99
Herman, Melissa Ann; Roberto, Marisa (2016) Cell-type-specific tonic GABA signaling in the rat central amygdala is selectively altered by acute and chronic ethanol. Addict Biol 21:72-86
Kallupi, Marsida; Varodayan, Florence P; Oleata, Christopher S et al. (2014) Nociceptin/orphanin FQ decreases glutamate transmission and blocks ethanol-induced effects in the central amygdala of naive and ethanol-dependent rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 39:1081-92
Gilpin, Nicholas W; Roberto, Marisa; Koob, George F et al. (2014) Kappa opioid receptor activation decreases inhibitory transmission and antagonizes alcohol effects in rat central amygdala. Neuropharmacology 77:294-302
Ciccocioppo, Roberto; de Guglielmo, Giordano; Hansson, Anita C et al. (2014) Restraint stress alters nociceptin/orphanin FQ and CRF systems in the rat central amygdala: significance for anxiety-like behaviors. J Neurosci 34:363-72
Cui, Changhai; Noronha, Antonio; Morikawa, Hitoshi et al. (2013) New insights on neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol addiction. Neuropharmacology 67:223-32
Kallupi, Marsida; Wee, Sunmee; Edwards, Scott et al. (2013) Kappa opioid receptor-mediated dysregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic transmission in the central amygdala in cocaine addiction. Biol Psychiatry 74:520-8
Cruz, Maureen T; Herman, Melissa A; Cote, Dawn M et al. (2013) Ghrelin increases GABAergic transmission and interacts with ethanol actions in the rat central nucleus of the amygdala. Neuropsychopharmacology 38:364-75
Lovinger, David M; Roberto, Marisa (2013) Synaptic effects induced by alcohol. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 13:31-86
Herman, Melissa A; Contet, Candice; Justice, Nicholas J et al. (2013) Novel subunit-specific tonic GABA currents and differential effects of ethanol in the central amygdala of CRF receptor-1 reporter mice. J Neurosci 33:3284-98

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications