Place preference induced by nucleus accumbens amphetamine is impaired by antagonists of ERK or p38 MAP kinases in rats.
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a role in conditioned place preference (CPP). The authors tested the hypothesis that inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) would inhibit NAc-amphetamine-produced CPP. Results confirmed that NAc amphetamine increased levels of the MAPK extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In CPP studies, NAc injections (0.5 microl per side) of the ERK inhibitor PD98059 (1.0-2.5 microg) or the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (15-500 ng) dose dependently impaired CPP. The c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 (1.0-2.5 microg) failed to block the CPP effect. The drugs did not block amphetamine-induced motor activity. Results suggest that ERK and p38, but not JNK, MAPKs may be necessary for the establishment of NAc amphetamine-produced CPP and may also mediate other forms of reward-related learning dependent on NAc.
Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Todor V
TV
Gerdjikov
Gregory M
GM
Ross
Richard J
RJ
Beninger
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D000661:Amphetamine; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases