Effects of intra-VTA injection of neurotensin on local cerebral glucose utilization in freely moving rats.
The [14C]2-deoxyglucose method was applied to measure the effects of the injection of neurotensin (7 microg) in the ventral tegmental area on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat. Injection of neurotensin produced significant increases of glucose utilization in the shell of the nucleus accumbens and in the olfactory tubercle. These results indicate that stimulation of neurotensin receptors in the ventral tegmental area produces functional changes that are confined to the regions receiving mesolimbic projections within the rostral extended amygdaloid complex. These findings extend our understanding on the effects of neurotensin in the limbic system, with particular regard to reward pathways.
Pontieri
F E
FE
Department of Neuroscience, University 'La Sapienza', 00185, Rome, Italy. pontieri@uniroma.it
Rasura
M
M
Scontrini
A
A
Buttarelli
F R
FR
D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D008032:Limbic System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin / Q000378:metabolism; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000378:metabolism
D010455:Peptides; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin; D009496:Neurotensin; D003847:Deoxyglucose; D005947:Glucose