CREB modulates the functional output of nucleus accumbens neurons: a critical role of N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptors. VOLUME 283 (2008) PAGES 2751-2760

The mesencephalic locomotor region is defined as a functional region sending signals to the spinal cord generators of rhythmical limb movements for locomotion. It has been shown that the mesencephalic locomotor region plays a critical role in locomotion initiated from the nucleus accumbens or from the subpallidal region. However, there are conflicting data on whether synaptic input from the nucleus accumbens – subpallidal region to the mesencephalic locomotor region mediates locomotion. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of synaptic input to different subregions of the mesencephalic locomotor region in locomotion induced by injecting dopamine into the nucleus accumbens or by injecting picrotoxin into the subpallidal region in freely behaving rats. Synaptic transmission in the mesencephalic locomotor region was eliminated by excitotoxic lesions or was reversibly interrupted by injecting cobalt chloride, which can block synaptic transmission. Excitotoxic lesions or injections of cobalt into subregions of the mesencephalic locomotor region significantly decreased, although did not completely block, locomotion. The most effective sites for cobalt- and lesion-induced reduction in locomotion were consistent with localization of the mesencephalic locomotor region. Effective sites for cobalt and lesions markedly overlapped but were not identical. The results indicate that synaptic transmission within the mesencephalic locomotor region contributes to dopamine- or picrotoxin-induced locomotion.Key words: locomotion, mesencephalic locomotor region, nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, dopamine, picrotoxin, excitotoxins, cobalt chloride.

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Role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens in jaw movements of rats: a critical role of the shell

European Journal of Pharmacology ◽

10.1016/0014-2999(95)00428-n ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 286 (1) ◽

pp. 41-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Alexander R. Cools ◽

Yasuhiro Miwa ◽

Noriaki Koshikawa

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Critical Role ◽

D2 Receptors ◽

Jaw Movements ◽

D1 And D2 Receptors

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A Critical Role of Basolateral Amygdala–to–Nucleus Accumbens Projection in Sleep Regulation of Reward Seeking

Biological Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.027 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 (11) ◽

pp. 954-966 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yao Wang ◽

Zheng Liu ◽

Li Cai ◽

Rong Guo ◽

Yan Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Basolateral Amygdala ◽

Critical Role ◽

Sleep Regulation ◽

Reward Seeking

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Role of melanin-concentrating hormone in the nucleus accumbens shell in rats behaviourally sensitized to methamphetamine

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1017/s1461145713000072 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 1767-1780 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Li-li Sun ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

Jian-feng Liu ◽

Jun Wang ◽

Wei-li Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Dopaminergic System ◽

Critical Role ◽

Locomotor Sensitization ◽

Nucleus Accumbens Shell ◽

Erk Phosphorylation ◽

Melanin Concentrating Hormone ◽

Erk Activity ◽

The Brain

Abstract Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide and its receptor is extensively expressed throughout the brain. MCH has been suggested to regulate the rewarding and reinforcing effects of psychostimulants by potentiating the dopaminergic system within the midbrain. Moreover, MCH and its receptor can regulate ERK activity. The present study investigated the role of MCH in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in rats behaviourally sensitized to methamphetamine (Meth). We found that the development of Meth-induced locomotor sensitization was attenuated by MCH infused into the NAc shell but not core. Moreover, the elevation of ERK phosphorylation in the NAc shell induced by Meth was inhibited by locally infused MCH. Infusion of the MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) antagonist SNAP 94847 into the NAc shell but not core augmented the initiation of locomotor sensitization and amplitude of elevated phosphorylated ERK levels induced by Meth. The expression of Meth-induced locomotor sensitization and ERK alterations after 1 wk withdrawal were not affected by either MCH or SNAP 94847 infused into the NAc shell or core. These results indicate that MCH in the NAc shell plays a critical role in the development but not expression of Meth-induced locomotor sensitization in rats, which might be mediated by the ERK signalling pathway. Our study suggests that MCH might be a potential target for the treatment of Meth addiction.

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Role of glutamate receptors in nucleus accumbens core and shell in spatial behaviour of rats

Neuroscience ◽

10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.06.041 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 128 (2) ◽

pp. 229-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

S. Klein ◽

M. Hadamitzky ◽

M. Koch ◽

K. Schwabe

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Glutamate Receptors ◽

Spatial Behaviour ◽

Nucleus Accumbens Core ◽

Accumbens Core

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Dopaminergic Projections From the Ventral Tegmental Area to the Nucleus Accumbens Modulate Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Mice

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fncel.2021.671473 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Huan Gui ◽

Chengxi Liu ◽

Haifeng He ◽

Jie Zhang ◽

Hong Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleus Accumbens ◽

Ventral Tegmental Area ◽

Critical Role ◽

Sevoflurane Anesthesia ◽

Loss Of Righting Reflex ◽

Delta Band ◽

Dopaminergic Pathway ◽

Righting Reflex ◽

Ventral Tegmental

The role of the dopaminergic pathway in general anesthesia and its potential mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we usedc-Fos staining combined with calcium fiber photometry recording to explore the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons(VTA-DA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons during sevoflurane anesthesia. A genetically encoded dopamine (DA) sensor was used to investigate thefunction of the NAc in sevoflurane anesthesia. Chemogenetics and optogenetics were used to explore the role of the VTA-DA in sevofluraneanesthesia. Electroencephalogram (EEG) spectra, time of loss of righting reflex (LORR) and recovery of righting reflex (RORR) were recorded asassessment indicators. We found that VTA-DA and NAc neurons were inhibited during the induction period and were activated during the recoveryperiod of sevoflurane anesthesia. The fluorescence signals of dopamine decreased in the induction of and increased in the emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia.Activation of VTA-DA and the VTADA-NAc pathway delayed the induction and facilitated the emergence accompanying with thereduction of delta band and the augmentation of the gamma band. These data demonstrate that VTA-DA neurons play a critical role in modulating sevofluraneanesthesia via the VTADA-NAc pathway.

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