Elucidation of brain mechanisms of drug addiction by visualization and artificial manipulation of neural circuits

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02799
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 51010:Basic brain sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshihisa Tachibana 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 准教授 (50373197)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 金田 勝幸 金沢大学, 薬学系, 教授 (30421366)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 依存症 / コカイン / ドーパミン / マウス / 大脳基底核 / 大脳皮質 / ニューロン / ミクログリア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The term "addiction" has recently become ubiquitous in various forms of media. Among these, drug addiction stands out as a serious problem, affecting both the mental and physical issues of individuals and tragically entangling not only the afflicted individuals themselves but also their families in unhappiness. Consequently, social concern regarding this matter is notably high. However, despite this heightened awareness, our understanding of the pathophysiology of drug addiction remains unsolved. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying drug addiction by developing behavioral tasks in mice. Specifically, we focused on the pallidum, which is believed to be involved in reward-related behaviors, and investigated the response characteristics of pallidal neurons projecting to the subthalamic nucleus and the striatum in response to cocaine. Additionally, we extended our inquiry to examine the response of microglia within the brain to cocaine stimuli.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本における薬物依存の研究、なかでも脳内メカニズムに関する基礎研究は数少ない。本研究によって明らかにされた、大脳皮質―大脳基底核神経回路における、神経細胞とグリア細胞を中心とした薬物依存の脳内メカニズムの機序は、ギャンブル・アルコールなど他の依存症の病態解明にもつながる。また、脳神経回路を人工的に操作することで、薬物依存症を治療すること、また予防法を導くことで、個人の健全な生活を維持させる効果のみならず、犯罪防止など負の社会的要素を除去するという点でもインパクトは大きいと期待される。