Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline

Arecoline, a biologically active alkaloid extracted from the areca nut, serves as the primary psychoactive ingredient in betel quid, one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances worldwide. Despite its extensive use, the central nervous system (CNS) effects of arecoline remain inadequately...

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Main Authors: Xiaonan Li, Jie Gao, Xiaomin Liu, Jianfeng Guo, Yifan Liu, Peicai Cui, Dawei Yan, Ting Fei, Ming Chen, Yihan Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1545260/full
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author Xiaonan Li
Jie Gao
Xiaomin Liu
Jianfeng Guo
Yifan Liu
Peicai Cui
Dawei Yan
Ting Fei
Ming Chen
Yihan Gao
author_facet Xiaonan Li
Jie Gao
Xiaomin Liu
Jianfeng Guo
Yifan Liu
Peicai Cui
Dawei Yan
Ting Fei
Ming Chen
Yihan Gao
author_sort Xiaonan Li
collection DOAJ
description Arecoline, a biologically active alkaloid extracted from the areca nut, serves as the primary psychoactive ingredient in betel quid, one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances worldwide. Despite its extensive use, the central nervous system (CNS) effects of arecoline remain inadequately understood. This study aims to investigate the central actions of arecoline through a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach that integrates behavioral assays, neuroimaging techniques, calcium signaling analysis, and transcriptomic profiling. Our findings demonstrate dose-dependent addictive properties of arecoline, alongside distinct behavioral alterations that highlight its potential for addiction. Neuroimaging and calcium signaling data revealed region-specific alterations in neural activity, particularly in areas associated with learning, memory, and reward processing. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis identified significant changes in gene expression, particularly in pathways related to synaptic plasticity, calcium signaling, and metal ion transport. These results provide valuable insights into the addictive potential of arecoline and its underlying neurobiological mechanisms, offering crucial information for understanding its broader impact on CNS function. The study’s findings hold significant implications for informing public health strategies aimed at addressing arecoline misuse and its potential role in addiction-related disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-91f3c3da9dfc47bd83f7320c894af1472025-08-20T03:17:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience1662-51452025-04-011910.3389/fnint.2025.15452601545260Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecolineXiaonan Li0Jie Gao1Xiaomin Liu2Jianfeng Guo3Yifan Liu4Peicai Cui5Dawei Yan6Ting Fei7Ming Chen8Yihan Gao9Shanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaFudan University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai New Tobacco Products Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, ChinaArecoline, a biologically active alkaloid extracted from the areca nut, serves as the primary psychoactive ingredient in betel quid, one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances worldwide. Despite its extensive use, the central nervous system (CNS) effects of arecoline remain inadequately understood. This study aims to investigate the central actions of arecoline through a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach that integrates behavioral assays, neuroimaging techniques, calcium signaling analysis, and transcriptomic profiling. Our findings demonstrate dose-dependent addictive properties of arecoline, alongside distinct behavioral alterations that highlight its potential for addiction. Neuroimaging and calcium signaling data revealed region-specific alterations in neural activity, particularly in areas associated with learning, memory, and reward processing. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis identified significant changes in gene expression, particularly in pathways related to synaptic plasticity, calcium signaling, and metal ion transport. These results provide valuable insights into the addictive potential of arecoline and its underlying neurobiological mechanisms, offering crucial information for understanding its broader impact on CNS function. The study’s findings hold significant implications for informing public health strategies aimed at addressing arecoline misuse and its potential role in addiction-related disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1545260/fullarecolineconditioned place preference3D behavioral analysestranscriptomic analyseshippocampus
spellingShingle Xiaonan Li
Jie Gao
Xiaomin Liu
Jianfeng Guo
Yifan Liu
Peicai Cui
Dawei Yan
Ting Fei
Ming Chen
Yihan Gao
Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
arecoline
conditioned place preference
3D behavioral analyses
transcriptomic analyses
hippocampus
title Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
title_full Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
title_fullStr Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
title_full_unstemmed Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
title_short Modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
title_sort modulation of neural activity and gene expression by arecoline
topic arecoline
conditioned place preference
3D behavioral analyses
transcriptomic analyses
hippocampus
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnint.2025.1545260/full
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