Role of α1-GABAA receptors in the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus in models of opioid reward, anxiety, and depression

BACKGROUND: The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT))-mediated system plays an important role in stress-related psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Our previous studies showed that stress and drug exposure can modulate the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN)-5-HT system via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. Moreover, GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of serotonergic DRN neurons is required for stress-induced reinstatement of opioid seeking.

AIM/METHODS: To further test the role of GABAA receptors in the 5-HT system in stress and opioid-sensitive behaviors, our current study generated mice with conditional genetic deletions of the GABAA α1 subunit to manipulate GABAA receptors in either the DRN or the entire population of 5-HT neurons. The GABAA α1 subunit is a constituent of the most abundant GABAA subtype in the brain and the most highly expressed subunit in 5-HT DRN neurons.

RESULTS: Our results showed that mice with DRN-specific knockout of α1-GABAA receptors exhibited a normal phenotype in tests of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors as well as swim stress-induced reinstatement of morphine-conditioned place preference. By contrast, mice with 5-HT neuron-specific knockout of α1-GABAA receptors exhibited an anxiolytic phenotype at baseline and increased sensitivity to post-morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GABAA receptors on 5-HT neurons contribute to anxiety-like behaviors and sensitivity of those behaviors to opioid withdrawal.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:38

Enthalten in:

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) - 38(2024), 2 vom: 31. Feb., Seite 188-199

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Li, Chen [VerfasserIn]
McElroy, Bryan D [VerfasserIn]
Phillips, Jared [VerfasserIn]
McCloskey, Nicholas S [VerfasserIn]
Shi, Xiangdang [VerfasserIn]
Unterwald, Ellen M [VerfasserIn]
Kirby, Lynn G [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

α1-GABAA
333DO1RDJY
56-12-2
76I7G6D29C
Analgesics, Opioid
Anxiety
Depression
Dorsal raphe
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Journal Article
Morphine
Opioid
Serotonin

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 14.02.2024

Date Revised 09.03.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1177/02698811241227672

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM367841533