Habit-forming actions of nomifensine in nucleus accumbens.
Rats learned to lever-press when reinforced with response-contingent microinfusions of the dopamine uptake inhibitor nomifensine (1.7 nmol per injection) into the ventro-medial (shell) region of nucleus accumbens septi (NAS). The drug was not effective when similar injections were given either in random relation to lever-pressing, into the more dorso-lateral (core) region of NAS, or into the frontal cortex. Cocaine was also effective in NAS, but considerably less so. These data suggest that response-contingent dopamine uptake blockade within the NAS is sufficient to establish and maintain instrumental response habits.
Carlezon
W A
WA
Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Devine
D P
DP
Wise
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009627:Nomifensine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex; D051381:Rats; D012201:Reward; D012646:Self Administration
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D009627:Nomifensine