NMDA receptors in the nucleus accumbens modulate intravenous cocaine but not heroin self-administration in the rat.
The role of endogenous glutamate neurotransmission within the nucleus accumbens in the modulation of intravenous (i.v.) cocaine and heroin self-administration in rats was analyzed. APV (2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid), a blocker of glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type, was microinfused within the nucleus accumbens of the ventral striatum of rats trained to lever press for i.v. cocaine or heroin self-administration. APV, at the dose of 1.5 and 3.0 micrograms/side, reduced the rewarding value of cocaine while it left heroin self-administration unaffected. These results suggest that integrity of NMDA receptor function within the nucleus accumbens may be of importance for the maintenance of i.v. cocaine, but not heroin self-administration in rats.
Department of Neuropharmacology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037.
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Maldonado-Lopez
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Koob
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005971:Glutamates / Q000502:physiology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D012646:Self Administration
D005971:Glutamates; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003932:Heroin; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D003042:Cocaine; D004298:Dopamine