title: [Signals of danger inhibit exploration-induced activation of the nitrergic system of the nucleus accumbens].
abstract: In Sprague-Dawley rats it was shown by means of in vivo microdialysis combined with HPLC analysis that exploratory behavior in a new chamber produced an increase in the extracellular level of citrulline (an NO co-product) in the medial n. accumbens, which was prevented by intra-accumbal infusions of 7-nitroindazole (0.5 mM), a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor. When presented during exploratory activity, a tone previously pared with footshock, firstly, inhibited the exploration and, secondly, prevented the exploration-induced increase in accumbal extracellular citrulline level. These changes did not occur in control animals (the same procedure but without footshock or unpaired tone and footshock presentation). The data obtained indicate for the first time that the n. accumbens could be implicated in fear transfer to exploratory behavior and show the involvement of the nitrergic system inhibition in this process.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Saul'skaia
authors.forename: Ia V
authors.initials: IaV
authors.lastname: Belozerov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D002956:Citrulline / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013016:Sound
chemical_list: D007191:Indazoles; D002956:Citrulline; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; C080122:7-nitroindazole