Topic: alcohol

Methamphetamine (MA) is a psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse and neurotoxic effects, primarily affecting the brain's monoamine neurotransmitter systems. Recently, its overdose or concurrent use with alcohol (EtOH) has been associated with a notable increase in hospitalizations and mortality. In this study, we examined locomotor behavior, as well as metabolic and pharmacokinetic interactions, following the co-administration of low, medium, and high doses of MA (hydrochloride salt, 1, 4, and 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and EtOH (2 g/kg, 30%, v/v, intraperitoneal) in rats. Locomotion

AIMS: Nicotine, the main psychoactive compound of tobacco, binds on cationic nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) to increase the firing rate of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), leading to higher release of DA in target structures and positive reinforcement. Besides rewarding properties, nicotine also promotes negative effects. Recently, we showed heterogeneity in nicotine-induced responses on VTA DA subpopulations targeting nucleus accumbens (NAc) and amygdala (AMg) nuclei. NAc-projecting DA neurons are activated by nicotine and their optogenetic activation is reinforcin

Aggression and substance use disorders (SUDs) show consistent associations, although their causal link remains to be understood. Human genetic studies have identified an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs16969968) of the CHRNA5 gene encoding the α5 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) (α5SNP) and higher scores of nicotine dependence. We and others have shown that the α5SNP is associated with a loss of function of α5 containing nAChRs (α5*nAChRs) and strongly modulates addiction-like behaviors in response not only to nicotine but also to alcohol and co