Age-dependent effects of social isolation on mesolimbic dopamine release. 2022

Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152-6400, USA.

In humans, social isolation is a known risk factor for disorders such as substance use disorder and depression. In rodents, social isolation is a commonly used environmental manipulation that increases the occurrence of behaviors related to these disorders. Age is thought to influence the effects of social isolation, but this predictive relationship is not well-understood. The present study aimed to determine the effects of social isolation on mesolimbic dopamine release at different developmental age points in mice. The experimental ages and their corresponding comparison to human age stages are as follows: 1 month = adolescence, 4 months = mature adulthood, 12 months = middle adulthood, and 18 months = older adult. Mice were socially isolated for 6 weeks during these developmental stages, then in vivo fixed potential amperometry with recording electrodes in the nucleus accumbens was used to measure stimulation-evoked dopamine release, the synaptic half-life of dopamine, dopamine autoreceptor functioning, and the dopaminergic response to cocaine. Isolation altered dopamine functioning in an age-dependent manner. Specifically, isolation increased dopamine release in the adult ages, but not adolescence, potentially due to increased inhibitory effects of dopamine autoreceptors following adolescent social isolation. Regarding the cocaine challenge, isolation increased dopaminergic responses to cocaine in adolescent mice, but not the adult mice. These findings have implications for clinical and experimental settings. Elucidating the relationship between age, social isolation, and neurochemical changes associated with substance use disorder and depression may lead to improvements in preventing and treating these disorders.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003042 Cocaine An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D004298 Dopamine One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action. Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012934 Social Isolation The separation of individuals or groups resulting in the lack of or minimizing of social contact and/or communication. This separation may be accomplished by physical separation, by social barriers and by psychological mechanisms. In the latter, there may be interaction but no real communication. Isolation, Social,Social Exclusion,Exclusion, Social,Social Exclusions
D017660 Autoreceptors Transmitter receptors on or near presynaptic terminals (or varicosities) which are sensitive to the transmitter(s) released by the terminal itself. Receptors for the hormones released by hormone-releasing cells are also included. Autoreceptor
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D019966 Substance-Related Disorders Disorders related to substance use or abuse. Chemical Dependence,Drug Abuse,Drug Addiction,Drug Dependence,Drug Habituation,Drug Use Disorder,Drug Use Disorders,Organic Mental Disorders, Substance-Induced,Substance Abuse,Substance Dependence,Substance Related Disorder,Substance Use,Substance Use Disorder,Substance Use Disorders,Prescription Drug Abuse,Substance Addiction,Abuse, Drug,Abuse, Prescription Drug,Abuse, Substance,Addiction, Drug,Addiction, Substance,Chemical Dependences,Dependence, Chemical,Dependence, Drug,Dependence, Substance,Dependences, Chemical,Disorder, Drug Use,Disorder, Substance Related,Disorder, Substance Use,Disorders, Substance Related,Drug Abuse, Prescription,Habituation, Drug,Organic Mental Disorders, Substance Induced,Related Disorder, Substance,Related Disorders, Substance,Substance Abuses,Substance Uses,Use, Substance

Related Publications

Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
January 2021, Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
August 2002, Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
December 2022, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
January 1991, European journal of pharmacology,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
December 1991, Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
August 2020, Reviews in the neurosciences,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
January 1983, Life sciences,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
February 2002, European journal of pharmacology,
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
January 1992, Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England),
Megan A McWain, and Rachel L Pace, and Patricia A Nalan, and Deranda B Lester
February 1991, Brain research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!