Self-administration enhances excitatory synaptic transmission in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.
Understanding the neurobiology of motivation might help in reducing compulsive behaviors such as drug addiction or eating disorders. This study shows that excitatory synaptic transmission was enhanced in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of rats that performed an operant task to obtain cocaine or palatable food. There was no effect when cocaine or food was delivered passively, suggesting that synaptic plasticity in this area is involved in reward-seeking behaviors.
Dumont
Eric C
EC
The Vollum Institute and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
Mark
Gregory P
GP
Mader
Sarah
S
Williams
John T
JT
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; D003042:Cocaine
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