Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons and opiate motivation.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Past research has demonstrated that when an animal changes from a previously drug-naive to an opiate-dependent and withdrawn state, morphine's motivational effects are switched from a tegmental pedunculopontine nucleus (TPP)-dependent to a dopamine-dependent pathway. Interestingly, a corresponding change is observed in ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABAA receptors, which change from mediating hyperpolarization of VTA GABA neurons to mediating depolarization.

Objectives

The present study investigated whether pharmacological manipulation of VTA GABAA receptor activity could directly influence the mechanisms underlying opiate motivation.

Results

Using an unbiased place conditioning procedure, we demonstrated that in Wistar rats, intra-VTA administration of furos

SUBMITTER: Ting-A-Kee R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4056596 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature