title: Glial and Neuroimmune Mechanisms as Critical Modulators of Drug Use and Abuse.
abstract: Drugs of abuse cause persistent alterations in synaptic plasticity that may underlie addiction behaviors. Evidence suggests glial cells have an essential and underappreciated role in the development and maintenance of drug abuse by influencing neuronal and synaptic functions in multifaceted ways. Microglia and astrocytes perform critical functions in synapse formation and refinement in the developing brain, and there is growing evidence that disruptions in glial function may be implicated in numerous neurological disorders throughout the lifespan. Linking evidence of function in health and under pathological conditions, this review will outline the glial and neuroimmune mechanisms that may contribute to drug-abuse liability, exploring evidence from opioids, alcohol, and psychostimulants. Drugs of abuse can activate microglia and astrocytes through signaling at innate immune receptors, which in turn influence neuronal function not only through secretion of soluble factors (eg, cytokines and chemokines) but also potentially through direct remodeling of the synapses. In sum, this review will argue that neural-glial interactions represent an important avenue for advancing our understanding of substance abuse disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lacagnina
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip D
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7620-6094
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Staci D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bilbo
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D051193:Toll-Like Receptors