The overall goal of this research is to better understand role of dynorphin and CRF in negative affective behaviors that are associated with nicotine withdrawal. Both dynorphin and CRF systems have been shown to drive stress and aversive behaviors but few studies have determined how these systems modulate one another to drive these behaviors through the extended amygdala. Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) activity has been known to mediate negative emotional states inducing, dysphoria, aversions, and depression. CRF also produces dysphoria, aversion and anxiety-like behavior via dynorphinergic interactions, and it has been hypothesized that the increased release of CRF may be a primary contributor in the development of anxiety disorders. Therefore, we propose to examine the role and interactions of CRF and dynorphin in the mediation of aversive behaviors and whether this in turn modulates nicotine withdrawal. This five-year project has three specific aims. In the first aim (during the K99 phase) we will determine whether dynorphin regulates aversion in the ventral NAc.
The second aim (during the K99 phase) is to examine the mechanisms in which nicotine interacts with the dynorphin/kappa opioid system to regulate negative affective behaviors. Here we will determine whether stimulation of dynorphin containing neurons in the NAc mediates aversion and withdrawal behavior and whether this is KOR-dependent. In these aims we will quantify dynorphin release in the NAc following optogenetic stimulation. During the R00 independent phase (Aim 3) we will quantify dynorphin release in the NAc before and following chronic nicotine exposure. We will also optogenetically stimulate CeA- CRF containing neurons and measure dynorphin release in the NAc, to examine whether CRF regulates dynorphin release and behavior characteristic of withdrawal. Since, both CRF and dynorphin are involved in the stress response and preliminary data has shown that chronic stress can block KOR-induced drug seeking, we will also determine the role of CRF1-R/KOR interactions in reinstatement of nicotine seeking, following exposure to stress. Together this work has important therapeutic implications as it will enhance our understanding of dynorphin/CRF cell-types, neural circuits that modulate negative affective behaviors.
Cigarette smoking causes approximately 5.4 million deaths annually with 440,000 (1 in 5) people in the US alone. Smoking cessation after chronic tobacco use is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome, which precludes success in quitting. Current therapies for nicotine addiction have a poor 33% success rate. They are also limited by side effects emphasizing the need for novel targets and an increased understanding of anxiety and stress systems, such as dynorphin and CRF neural circuits, which are involved in the modulation of nicotine withdrawal and subsequent relapse. The goal of this proposal is to better understand how these systems work together to mediate negative aversive behaviors that ultimately lead to reinstatement of drug seeking.
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