Lesions of the nucleus accumbens shell can reduce activity in the elevated plus-maze

Author(s):  
R.R. Horsley ◽  
C. Norman ◽  
H.J. Cassaday
Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2341
Author(s):  
Conner W. Wallace ◽  
Nari S. Beatty ◽  
Sarah A. Hutcherson ◽  
Heather A. Emmons ◽  
Madison C. Loudermilt ◽  
...  

Diet-induced obesity reduces dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and stressful weight loss interventions could promote cravings for palatable foods high in fat and sugar that stimulate dopamine. Activation of κ-opioid receptors (KORs) reduces synaptic dopamine, but contribution of KORs to lower dopamine tone after dietary changes is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the function of KORs in C57BL/6 mice that consumed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for six weeks followed by replacement of HFD with a control 10% fat diet for one day or one week. HFD replacement induced voluntary caloric restriction and weight loss. However, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry revealed no differences in baseline dopamine parameters, whereas sex effects were revealed during KOR stimulation. NAc core dopamine release was reduced by KOR agonism after one day of HFD replacement in females but after one week of HFD replacement in males. Further, elevated plus-maze testing revealed no diet effects during HFD replacement on overt anxiety. These results suggest that KORs reduce NAc dopamine tone and increase food-related anxiety during dietary weight loss interventions that could subsequently promote palatable food cravings and inhibit weight loss.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Zarrindast ◽  
Hatam Ahmadi ◽  
Mohammad Nasehi

It has been recently reported that cannabinoid and GABA systems in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are involved in anxiety-related behaviors. Thus the purpose of the present study is to investigate the involvement of ACPA interaction with GABA-ergic of the NAc shell in anxiolytic-like behaviors in Wistar male rat. The elevated plus maze apparatus has been used to test parameters of anxiety-like behaviors. The data demonstrated that bilateral injection of GABA (A) receptor agonist (Muscimol 0.4 μg/μl) increased % OAT. Furthermore, injection of GABA (A) receptor antagonist (Bicuculline 0.9μg/μl) increased locomotor activity. The data indicated anxiolytic-like behaviors caused by the Muscimol injection into the NAc shell. Moreover, bilateral injection of ACPA (CB1 -selective agonists; 0.025μg/μl) into the NAc shell induced anxiogenic-like behaviors. The final results showed that intra-NAc shell injection of subthreshold dose of Muscimol (0.2 μg/μl) attenuated anxiogenic-like behaviors by higher dose (0.025 μg/μl) of ACPA in the NAc shell. In addition, intra-NAc shell injection of subthreshold dose of Bicuculline (0.6 μg/μl) did not alter anxiogenic response by ACPA administration in the NAc shell. The results suggested that the activation of the NAc shell GABA (A) receptor attenuated the activity of cannabinoid system in the NAc shell.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-648
Author(s):  
Robert Lalonde ◽  
Catherine Strazielle

AbstractWhen injected via the intracerebroventricular route, corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) reduced exploration in the elevated plus-maze, the center region of the open-field, and the large chamber in the defensive withdrawal test. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the elevated plus-maze also occurred when infused in the basolateral amygdala, ventral hippocampus, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal grey, and medial frontal cortex. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the defensive withdrawal test was reproduced when injected in the locus coeruleus, while the amygdala, hippocampus, lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and lateral globus pallidus contribute to center zone exploration in the open-field. In addition to elevated plus-maze and open-field tests, the amygdala appears as a target region for CRH-mediated anxiety in the elevated T-maze. Thus, the amygdala is the principal brain region identified with these three tests, and further research must identify the neural circuits underlying this form of anxiety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto P.I. Gargiulo ◽  
Andrés Acuña ◽  
Mercedes M.L. Gargiulo ◽  
Ángel J.M. Gargiulo ◽  
Marcos C.J. Gargiulo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Yuhua Wang ◽  
Sang Chan Kim ◽  
Tong Wu ◽  
Yu Jiao ◽  
Haifeng Jin ◽  
...  

As important components of positive and negative reinforcement, locomotor sensitization and withdrawal anxiety following repeated exposure to nicotine (NIC) constitute crucial risk factors for relapse to NIC use after abstinence. Glycyrrhiza radix (G. radix), an important tonic used in traditional Oriental medicine, has not only anxiolytic effects but also reduces NIC-induced locomotor sensitization. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a bioactive ingredient of G. radix, also exhibits neuropharmacological effects, including anxiolytic action. Previously, we reported that ISL suppressed cocaine-induced extracellular dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens shell (NaccSh) and attenuated methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of ISL on both NIC withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization. Adult male rats received subcutaneous administration of NIC hydrogen tartrate (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 days followed by 4 days of withdrawal. During the period of NIC withdrawal, the rats received four intragastric treatments with ISL (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/day). All three doses of ISL significantly inhibited NIC withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, but only the 10 mg/kg/day and 30 mg/kg/day ISL doses attenuated locomotor sensitization induced by a challenge dose of NIC. Intracerebroventricular ISL also inhibited both NIC-induced withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization, but intra-NaccSh injection of ISL blocked only NIC locomotor sensitization, which was abolished by post-ISL infusion of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (an oxidant) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) into the NaccSh. Moreover, there was increased protein expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2 in the NIC-sensitized NaccSh, which was suppressed by ISL. Taken together, these results suggest that ISL can inhibit repeated NIC-induced withdrawal anxiety and locomotor sensitization, and the latter is mediated by antagonizing accumbal reactive oxygen species and NMDA receptor signaling.


Author(s):  
Luis H. Llano López ◽  
Pablo Melonari ◽  
Marisa Olguin ◽  
Miriam Débora Fraile ◽  
Adriana I. Landa ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundIn previous studies, we have observed that glutamate antagonists injected within the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) induced an anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test in rats. In the present study, the effect of Atenolol, a specific Beta Adreno-receptor antagonist in the EPM was studied in male rats bilaterally cannulated NAS.MethodsRats were divided into five groups that received either 1 μL injections of saline or atenolol in different doses (0.75, 1 or 2 μg/1 μL, n=15–16) 15 min before testing.ResultsTime Spent in the Open Arm was modified by treatment (F=4.563, p=0.006, df 3). This was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.05), by the medium doses (p<0.001) and also by the highest dose (p<0.01). Time per Entry was modified by treatment (F=4.54, p=0.06, df 3). This parameter was increased by the lowest dose of atenolol (p<0.01), but not for the medium and higher doses.ConclusionsWe conclude that Atenolol beta receptor blockade in the accumbens lead to an anxiolytic-like effect related to an increase in the time spent in the open arm and in the time per entry, showing specific behavioral patterns.


Planta Medica ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Sampath ◽  
M Holbik ◽  
L Krenn ◽  
V Butterweck

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