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Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
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Glial mechanisms underlying substance use disorders.

K E Linker1, S J Cross1, F M Leslie2

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.

The European Journal of Neuroscience
|September 22, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Glia, crucial brain cells, play a pivotal role in addiction by altering neural communication and function. Targeting glial cells offers a promising new therapeutic avenue for substance use disorders.

Keywords:
addictionastrocytesmicrogliaopiatespsychostimulants

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Addiction involves persistent, maladaptive changes in the central nervous system.
  • Neuronal mechanisms of addiction are well-studied, yet effective therapies are lacking.
  • Glia, including microglia and astrocytes, are increasingly recognized for their role beyond inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of glia in the development and maintenance of addiction.
  • To highlight glia as a potential therapeutic target for substance use disorders.
  • To synthesize evidence on glia-neuron interactions in addiction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing existing research on glia and addiction.
  • Discussion of direct drug effects on glial function (e.g., Toll-like receptor 4).
  • Examination of glia-neuron communication and glial-derived factors.

Main Results:

  • Glia actively modulate neurotransmission, synaptic connectivity, and neural circuit function.
  • Abused drugs directly impact glial function and glia-neuron communication.
  • Glial activation is essential for drug reward and dopamine release, contributing to addiction liability.
  • Brain region-specific glial functions influence drug-associated behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Glia play a unique, pivotal, and underappreciated role in addiction.
  • Glia are critical mediators of cellular, molecular, and synaptic changes induced by drugs.
  • Targeting glial mechanisms presents a promising therapeutic strategy for addiction.