A role for nucleus accumbens glutamate in the expression but not the induction of behavioural sensitization to ethanol.

A role for nucleus accumbens glutamate in the expression but not the induction of behavioural sensitization to ethanol.
Behav Brain Res. 2017 Sep 14;:
Authors: Nona CN, Nobrega JN
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying differential sensitivity to behavioural sensitization to ethanol (EtOH) remain poorly understood, although accumulating evidence suggests a role for glutamatergic processes in the ventral striatum. Efforts to address this issue can benefit from the well-documented fact that in any given cohort, some of the mice (High sensitized; HS) show robust sensitization, while others (Low sensitized; LS) show little, if any, sensitization. Here, we examined whether this variability might be differentially associated with nucleus accumbens (NAc) glutamate processes. Male DBA mice received 5 EtOH (2.2g/kg) or saline injections twice a week and were challenged with EtOH (1.8g/kg) 2 weeks after injection 5. When an EtOH challenge was administered 2 weeks following the induction of sensitization, HS, but not LS, mice showed a robust increase in glutamate levels (67%, P<0.01) as measured by in vivo microdialysis. In a separate cohort, the mGlu2/3 agonist LY354740 (10mg/kg), given prior to the EtOH challenge, abolished the expression of sensitization. To ascertain whether enhanced release could also be observed during the induction of sensitization, glutamate levels were measured after the 1st and 5th EtOH injection and were found to be uncha...

Source: Behavioural Brain Research - September 14, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Nona CN, Nobrega JN Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research