Cell Discovery
October 5, 2018
Chao Wei, Xiao Han, Danwei Weng et al.
83 citations
Four widely abused drugs—heroin, nicotine, cocaine, and MDMA—modulate the activity of midbrain dopamine and serotonin neurons in mice with distinct potency and timing. Heroin strongly activates dopamine neurons but excites serotonin neurons only at higher doses. Nicotine activates dopamine neurons within seconds and has minimal effect on serotonin neurons. Cocaine and MDMA cause long-lasting suppression of both neuron types, with MDMA more profoundly inhibiting serotonin neurons. These inhibitory effects depend on dopamine and serotonin autoreceptors. The findings suggest that dopamine neuron activity relates more to a drug's reinforcing property, while serotonin neuron activity relates more to its euphorigenic property.
Addiction Biology
February 3, 2021
Bree A. Humburg, Chloe J. Jordan, Hai‐Ying Zhang et al.
30 citations
Most cannabinoids reduce rather than enhance reward-seeking behavior in mice, according to an optogenetic self-stimulation procedure. Cocaine dose-dependently increased responding, shifting stimulation–response curves upward. In contrast, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), WIN55,212-2, and ACEA dose-dependently decreased responding and shifted curves downward; cannabidiol had no effect. Among newer synthetic cannabinoids, XLR-11 produced a cocaine-like increase, AM-2201 produced a THC-like reduction, and 5F-AMB had no effect. CB1 receptors were expressed mainly in VTA GABA and glutamate neurons, while CB2 receptors were expressed mainly in VTA dopamine neurons. These findings suggest most cannabinoids are reward attenuating or aversive in mice.
Frontiers in psychology
January 1, 2025
Xiao Han, Mingmu Jiao, Gemma M Perey
5 citations
Over 12 months, 216 secondary school educators in mainland China reported reduced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while their emotional intelligence remained stable. More daily mindfulness practice was linked to less emotional exhaustion. Interviews with 35 participants revealed themes of heavy burnout, the perceived value of emotional intelligence, mindfulness as a coping strategy, personal coping methods, high self-awareness paired with difficulty regulating emotions, and systemic pressures. Practical barriers limited sustained mindfulness engagement. The findings suggest mindfulness can help reduce emotional exhaustion in educators, but systemic and practical constraints affect its use.