Injection of CART (Cocaine- and Amphetamine- Regulated Transcript) peptide into the nucleus accumbens reduces cocaine self-administration in rats

摘要: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides appear to modulate various effects of psychostimulant drugs. Injections CART peptide into the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) inhibit locomotion produced by systemic injections psychostimulants cocaine amphetamine. Intra-NAcc also microinfusions dopamine NAcc, suggesting that may be due an interaction with dopaminergic system in NAcc. We sought determine if this inhibitory effect generalizes other measures function such as reward/reinforcement testing bilateral intra-NAcc infusions (0, 0.25, 1.0 2.5 microg per side) on food self-administration. One group rats self-administered (0.75 mg/kg 140 microl IV infusion) a progressive ratio schedule. A separate received 45 mg pellets same Bilateral dose-dependently decreased number infusions, breakpoint self-administration, total bar presses cocaine-associated lever. There were no for reward. Thus, we conclude NAcc functionally antagonize major site action self-administration rats.