Choline acetyltransferase activity is reduced in rat nucleus accumbens after unlimited access to self-administration of cocaine.
Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was measured in discrete areas of rat brain after chronic, unlimited access to self-administration of cocaine. Mean activity of ChAT was reduced by approximately 30% in the nucleus accumbens, both on the last day of cocaine access and after 3 weeks cocaine withdrawal. These data suggest that chronic cocaine exposure might inhibit nucleus accumbens cholinergic neurones which could underlie some of the behavioral effects of cocaine.
Wilson
J M
JM
Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Carroll
M E
ME
Lac
S T
ST
DiStefano
L M
LM
Kish
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012646:Self Administration
D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D003042:Cocaine