Opiate rewarding action: independence of the cells of the lateral hypothalamus.
The posterior lateral hypothalamic area has been suggested as a possible site of action for the reinforcing effects of opiates on the basis of the finding that rats would lever-press for direct microinjections of opiates into this region. The present study reports the effects of kainic acid-induced lateral hypothalamic cell loss on the intravenous self-administration of heroin. Kainic acid injection resulted in marked cellular depletion yet failed to alter heroin self-administration.
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012201:Reward; D012646:Self Administration
D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine; D007608:Kainic Acid