title: Differential reactivity of dopaminergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens in response to different behavioral situations. An in vivo voltammetric study in free moving rats.
abstract: The reactivity of dopaminergic (DA) terminals in the nucleus accumbens was investigated in male rats submitted to tail-pinch or various social interactions. The DA activity was assessed by measurement of the presynaptic metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by using differential pulse voltammetry in free moving preparations. Tail-pinch lasting 5 min or 10 min was followed by increases in DA activity of 25% and 35%, respectively. Three types of social interaction were used: interaction with an aggressive male congener, interaction with a non-aggressive male congener or interaction with a female congener. The greatest increase in dopaminergic activity (40%) was observed after the aggressive interaction. The reactivity of the DA neurons within the nucleus accumbens is, therefore, dependent on the characteristics of the behavioral situation.
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism*; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine