Publications
Research publications supported by ICARe
* Papers may be provided upon request
- Beiser et al. 2022 – This work identifies a protein called the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) as a substrate for cocaine effects in the brain. The authors show that the level of activity of eEF2 in the nucleus accumbens, a major component of the reward system, is changed by cocaine and that manipulation of this protein can lower cocaine-induced effects, such as reward memories and increased motor activity.
- Shahen-Zoabi et al. 2023a – In this study, the researchers investigated the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in alcohol addiction. Following chronic intermittent alcohol consumption, the levels of the endocannabinoid N-oleoyl glycine (OlGly) were significantly elevated in specific regions in the brain reward system. Systemic administration of OlGly or OlAla (60 mg/kg) during intermittent alcohol consumption led to a significant reduction in alcohol intake and preference. This research implies a potential therapeutic avenue for mitigating alcohol consumption and preventing relapse through the modulation of the ECS.
- Shahen-Zoabi et al. 2023b – In this study, the researchers investigated the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in cocaine addiction. The authors show that following chronic administration of cocaine, the levels of the endocannabinoid N-oleoyl glycine (OlGly) were significantly elevated in the nucleus accumbens in a region-specific manner. Boosting the ECS exogenously has beneficial effects against cocaine-induced behaviors. These findings suggest that the ECS is involved in the common neurobiological mechanisms underlying the development and expression of cocaine reward and sensitization.
- Bernat et al. 2024 – This work examines the anatomical, physiological, genetic and behavioral differences between four different neural projections of the reward system that originate in the same brain region. The authors show that in the same brain region there are neurons that can promote drug preference while others inhibit drug preference. These different groups of neurons also differ in other aspects and may represent two functionally distinct types of neurons.
- Khayat and Yaka 2024a – In this work, the researchers examine the way by which regulation of dopamine-secreting neurons by inhibitory input from the rostromedial tegmental (RMTg) nucleus may decrease drug reward properties. They found that by activating this inhibitory drive on dopaminergic neurons they were able to reverse cocaine-induced molecular changes in the dopaminergic neurons that may be central to the development of addiction.
- Khayat and Yaka 2024b – The rewarding effects of drugs of abuse are mediated by the interconnection between two major parts of the reward system – the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area. In this work the researchers show that repeated exposure to cocaine induces molecular alterations in both structures and that augmentation of the signaling between the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area during the exposure to cocaine mitigates many of the changes induced by cocaine.
