CREB modulates excitability of nucleus accumbens neurons.
Drugs of abuse cause activation of the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Expression of active CREB in rat NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) increased their excitability, whereas dominant-negative CREB had the opposite effect. Decreasing excitability of NAc MSNs in vivo by overexpression of potassium channels enhanced locomotor responses to cocaine, suggesting that the increased NAc MSN excitability caused by CREB helped to limit behavioral sensitivity to cocaine.
Dong
Yan
Y
Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.
Green
Thomas
T
Saal
Daniel
D
Marie
Helene
H
Neve
Rachael
R
Nestler
Eric J
EJ
Malenka
Robert C
RC
D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; C489461:Kir2.1 channel; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D003042:Cocaine