Scientists activate specific brain cells to inhibit drug addiction

Good news! Could this be a breakthrough in treating opioid addicted individuals?

"In a study that could have significant implications for addressing the opioid crisis, researchers ... manipulating specific types of brain cells inhibits the urge for the synthetic opioid fentanyl. ...

The study ... focused on claustral neurons and their direct influence on opioid intake. The claustrum is a small subcortical nucleus that connects with large regions of the cortex, as well as with many subcortical and midbrain structures. 

The researchers discovered that claustral neurons exhibited distinctive activity patterns when fentanyl was consumed by lab mice.

Manipulating these neurons allowed the researchers to modulate the amount of fentanyl the mice ingested. Activating the neurons inhibited drug consumption while suppressing the same neurons escalated drug intake. ..."

From the highlights and abstract:

"Highlights

• Claustrum neurons are transiently repressed during bouts of fentanyl consumption

• Fentanyl bout consumption is limited by optogenetic activity of claustrum neurons

• Suppressing claustro-frontal projections increases fentanyl seeking and consumption

• Fentanyl drives enhanced activity of frontal neurons following claustrum suppression

Summary

The synthetic opioid fentanyl is a major contributor to the current opioid addiction crisis. We report that claustral neurons projecting to the frontal cortex limit oral fentanyl self-administration in mice. We found that fentanyl transcriptionally activates frontal-projecting claustrum neurons. These neurons also exhibit a unique suppression of Ca2+ activity upon initiation of bouts of fentanyl consumption. Optogenetic stimulation of frontal-projecting claustral neurons, intervening in this suppression, decreased bouts of fentanyl consumption. In contrast, constitutive inhibition of frontal-projecting claustral neurons in the context of a novel, group-housed self-administration procedure increased fentanyl bout consumption. This same manipulation also sensitized conditioned-place preference for fentanyl and enhanced the representation of fentanyl experience in the frontal cortex. Together, our results indicate that claustrum neurons exert inhibitory control over frontal cortical neurons to restrict oral fentanyl intake. Upregulation of activity in the claustro-frontal projection may be a promising strategy for reducing human opioid addiction."

Scientists activate brain cells to inhibit drug addiction - ISRAEL21c Understanding the role of specific brain cells in regulating the urge for opioids offers a new avenue for interventions aimed at curbing addiction.

Claustral neurons projecting to frontal cortex restrict opioid consumption (open access)

Graphical abstract