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Influence of gut microbiome metabolites on cocaine demand and cocaine-seeking behavior

Neuropsychopharmacology (2023)Cite this article

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The resident bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract modulate the cellular and transcriptional activity of several brain cell types, which in turn affect various aspects of cognition and brain function. As a result, there is a great degree of speculation that aberrant gut-brain signaling may contribute to symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders, including drug addiction [1]. The mechanisms by which gut-brain communication occurs are not fully understood, but may involve actions of metabolites secreted by gut microbiota, which enter systemic circulation and ultimately the brain. One potential class of such molecules are short-chain fatty acids (SFCAs, mainly propionate, butyrate, and acetate), which are produced by metabolic breakdown of dietary fiber.

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Funding

Funding

The authors are supported by National Institutes of Health grants AA025590, AA030061, DA043172, and DA055153.

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  1. Department of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA

    Amanda M. Acuña & M. Foster Olive

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  1. Amanda M. Acuña
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  2. M. Foster Olive
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AMA and MFO reviewed the highlighted manuscript and wrote the commentary.

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Correspondence to M. Foster Olive.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Acuña, A.M., Olive, M.F. Influence of gut microbiome metabolites on cocaine demand and cocaine-seeking behavior. Neuropsychopharmacol. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01743-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01743-9

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