Environmental novelty differentially affects c-fos mRNA expression induced by amphetamine or cocaine in subregions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala.

摘要: The environmental context in which amphetamine or cocaine are administered modulates both their acute psychomotor activating effects and ability to induce sensitization. Here we report that differentially affects patterns of amphetamine- cocaine-induced c- fos mRNA expression the bed nucleus stria terminalis (BST) amygdala male rats. In medial posterior BST, exposure novelty resulted a marked increase mRNA. Amphetamine given at home did not mRNA, when novel environment, levels beyond observed for alone. In basolateral lateral amygdala, induced When was environment response significantly enhanced. central (CEA) oval subnucleus BST (BSTov), administration produced robust expression, whereas had little effect. contrast other brain regions examined, versus smaller. “home” “novel” groups, BSTov CEA predominantly expressed enkephalin-containing cells; coexpression with corticotropin-releasing hormone rare. These data suggest psychostimulants powerfully alters limbic structures have been functionally implicated drug reinforcement emotional behaviors.