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Paper   IPM / Cognitive Sciences / 12865
School of Cognitive Sciences
  Title:   Modulation of ventral tegmental area dopamine receptors inhibit nicotine-induced anxiogenic-like behavior in the central amygdala
  Author(s): 
1.  Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
2.  Nafiseh Eslahi
3.  Ameneh Rezayof
4.  Parvin Rostami
5.  Maryam Zahmatkesh
  Status:   Published
  Journal: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
  Vol.:  41
  Year:  2013
  Pages:   11-17
  Supported by:  IPM
  Abstract:
Nicotine, the major addictive substance in tobacco, increases the activity of the central amygdala (CeA). Amygdala is directly implicated in anxiety modulation and sends projections to the vicinity of the midbrain dopamine neurons, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) which is a key area that controls nicotine dependence processes. In this study, the role of dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptors of the VTA on anxiogenic-like behavior induced with intra-CeA injection of nicotine has been investigated. Male Wistar rats with cannula aimed to the left CeA and the left VTA were submitted to the elevated plus-maze (EPM). The nicotine injection (1 μg/rat) into the CeA decreased the percentage of open arm time and open arm entries, but not locomotor activity, indicating an anxiogenic-like response. Intra-VTA injection of a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (0.25 μg/rat), and a dopamine D2/3 receptor antagonist, sulpiride (0.7 μg/rat), inhibited the anxiogenic-like response caused by intra-CeA injection of nicotine. These results suggest that the relationship between the VTA and the CeA may be involved in nicotine-induced anxiogenic-like behavior via dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptors. An understanding of these cellular processes will be crucial for the development of new intervention to combat nicotine effect.

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