Changes in microRNA expression profile in hippocampus during the acquisition and extinction of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in rats

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) emerges as important player in drug abuse. Yet, their expression profile in neurological disorder of cocaine abuse has not been well characterized. Here, we explored the changes of miRNA expression in rat hippocampus following repeated cocaine exposure and subsequent abstinence from cocaine treatment.

Results

Conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure was used to assess the acquisition and extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. MiRNA microarray was performed to examine miRNAs levels in rat hippocampus. Quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to further confirm results in microarray study. Finally, bioinformatic predictions were made to suggest potential target genes of cocaine-responsive miRNA in this study. MiRNA array found that 34 miRNA levels were changed in rat hippocampus while acquiring cocaine CPP and 42 miRNAs levels were altered after the cocaine-induced CPP were extinguished, as compared to normal controls. The findings from qRT-PCR study support results from microarray analysis.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated dynamic changes in miRNA expression in rat hippocampus during the acquisition and extinction of cocaine-induced CPP. Some miRNAs which have been previously reported to be involved in brain disorders and drug abuse, including miR-133b, miR-134, miR-181c, miR-191, miR-22, miR-26b, miR-382, miR-409-3p and miR-504, were found to be changed in their expression following repeated cocaine exposure and subsequent abstinence from cocaine treatment. These findings may extend our understanding of the regulatory network underlying cocaine abuse and may provide new targets for the future treatment of drug abuse.     

Sexual reward in male rats: effects of sexual experience on conditioned place preferences associated with ejaculation and intromissions

Various behavioral models and studies have provided evidence suggesting that male rat sexual behavior has rewarding and reinforcing properties. However, there is little information regarding the rewarding values of the different components of sexual behavior. Therefore, this study used a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to address whether ejaculation and intromissions differ in their rewarding incentive values. We also addressed whether the differential rewarding values were dependent on prior sexual experience. Sexually naïve and experienced males received one pairing of either intromissions or ejaculation with one of the chambers in the CPP box. The amount of time spent in each chamber of the CPP apparatus after conditioning was then measured. Both sexually naïve and sexually experienced males formed a CPP for ejaculation, while only sexually naïve, and not sexually experienced, males formed a CPP for intromissions. Moreover, in sexually naïve males, multiple pairings of ejaculation with the designated chamber resulted in a CPP relative to the control chamber paired with display of intromissions. These data support the hypothesis that there is a hierarchy of rewarding sexual behavior, with ejaculation being the most rewarding component, and that the rewarding incentive value of other components of sexual behavior is dependent upon prior sexual experience.     

Lesions of orexin neurons block conditioned place preference for sexual behavior in male rats

The hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin (hypocretin) mediates reward related to drugs of abuse and food intake. However, a role for orexin in sexual reward has yet to be investigated. Orexin neurons are activated by sexual behavior, but endogenous orexin does not appear to be essential for sexual performance and motivation in male rats. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to test the hypothesis that orexin is critically involved in processing of sexual reward in male rats. First, it was demonstrated following exposure to conditioned contextual cues associated with sexual behavior in a conditioned place preference paradigm that cFos expression is induced in orexin neurons, indicating activation of orexin neurons by cues predicting sexual reward. Next, orexin-cell specific lesions were utilized to determine the functional role of orexin in sexual reward processing. Hypothalami of adult male rats were infused with orexin-B-conjugated saporin, resulting in greater than 80% loss of orexin neurons in the perifornical-dorsomedial and lateral hypothalamus. Orexin lesions did not affect expression of sexual behavior, but prevented formation of conditioned place preference for a sexual behavior paired chamber. In contrast, intact sham-treated males or males with partial lesions developed a conditioned place preference for mating. Orexin lesioned males maintained the ability to form a conditioned place aversion to lithium chloride-induced visceral illness, indicating that orexin lesions did not disrupt associative contextual memory. Overall, these findings suggest that orexin is not essential for sexual performance or motivation, but is critical for reward processing and conditioned cue-induced seeking of sexual behavior.     

伏隔核壳部巴氯芬灌注阻断吗啡成瘾小鼠条件位置性偏爱记忆再巩固

氨基丁酸B型受体(GABAB受体)是治疗药物成瘾的潜在靶点,伏隔核壳部(nucleus accumbens shell, AcbSh)是成瘾环路的关键节点,但AcbSh GABA_B受体与记忆再巩固的关系尚不清楚。本文旨在探讨AcbSh微量灌注GABA_B受体激动剂巴氯芬(baclofen, BLF)对吗啡奖赏记忆再巩固及复吸行为的影响。建立吗啡条件位置性偏爱(conditioned place preference, CPP)小鼠模型,采用吗啡奖赏记忆提取激活实验,对比观察环境线索激活吗啡奖赏记忆后,双侧AcbSh灌注BLF对吗啡CPP、吗啡激发CPP重建以及自主活动量的影响。结果表明,吗啡奖赏记忆激活后,Acb Sh单次注入0.06nmol/0.2μL/侧或0.12nmol/0.2μL/侧BLF显著抑制吗啡CPP,且吗啡激发不能重建CPP,而0.01nmol/0.2μL/侧BLF灌注不能抑制吗啡CPP。激活后注入生理盐水及未激活组BLF灌注均未抑制CPP。无论是否激活吗啡奖赏记忆,BLF注入AcbSh都不影响小鼠自主活动。以上结果提示,AcbSh GABA_B受体参与了吗啡CPP的记忆再巩固。记忆激活后激动AcbSh GABA_B受体可通过阻断吗啡CPP的记忆再巩固,消除奖赏记忆,抑制复吸行为。     

Effect of rhynchophylline on conditioned place preference on expression of NR2B in methamphetamine-dependent mice

Objective

To study the effect of rhynchophylline on N-methyl d-aspartate receptor subtype 2B subunit in hippocampus of Methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) mice.

Methods

Place preference mice models were established by methamphetamine; the expression of NR2B was observed by immunohistochemistry technique and Western blot.

Results

Methamphetamine (4 mg/kg)-induced place preference mice model was successfully established; ketamine (15 mg/kg), rhynchophylline (40 mg/kg) and rhynchophylline (80 mg/kg) can eliminate place preference; Immunohistochemistry showed that the number of NR2B-positive neurons in hippocampus was increased in the methamphetamine model group, whereas less NR2B-positive neurons were found in the ketamine group, low and high dosage rhynchophylline group. Western blot showed that the expression of NR2B protein was significantly increased in the model group, whereas less expression was found in the ketamine group, low and high dosage rhynchophylline group.

Conclusions

NR2B plays an important role in the formation of methamphetamine-induced place preference in mice. Rhynchophylline reversed the expression of NR2B in the hippocampus demonstrates the potential effect of mediates methamphetamine induced rewarding effect.     

Orexin A in the ventral tegmental area induces conditioned place preference in a dose-dependent manner: Involvement of D1/D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens

It has been shown that orexin A in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is necessary for development of morphine place preference. Additionally, D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) have critical roles in motivation and reward. However, little is known about the function of orexin in conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats and involvement of D1/D2 receptors in the NAc. In the present study, we investigated the effect of direct administration of orexin A into the VTA, and examined the role of intra-accumbal dopamine receptors in development (acquisition) of reward-related behaviors in the rats. Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted by two separate cannulae into the VTA and NAc. The CPP paradigm was used, and, conditioning score and locomotor activity were recorded by Ethovision software. The results showed that unilateral intra-VTA administration of orexin A (27, 53 and 107ng/0.3μl saline) during conditioning phase induced CPP in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective dose of intra-VTA orexin-A in eliciting CPP was 107ng. However, intra-NAc administration of SCH 23390 (0.25, 1 and 4μg/0.5μl saline), a D1 receptor antagonist, and sulpiride (0.25, 1 and 4μg/0.5μl DMSO), a D2 receptor antagonist, inhibited the development of orexin-induced CPP. The inhibitory effect of D2 but not D1 receptor antagonist was exerted in a dose-dependent manner. It is supposed that the activation of VTA dopaminergic neuron by orexin impresses the D2 receptors more than D1 receptors in the NAc.     

Modulation of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors influences the expression of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety-like behavior in rats

Many data indicate that endogenous opioid system is involved in amphetamine-induced behavior. Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) possesses opioid-modulating properties. The aim of the present study was to determine whether pharmacological modulation of NPFF receptors modify the expression of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety-like behavior, both processes relevant to drug addiction/abuse. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of NPFF (5, 10, and 20 nmol) inhibited the expression of amphetamine CPP at the doses of 10 and 20 nmol. RF9, the NPFF receptors antagonist, reversed inhibitory effect of NPFF (20 nmol, i.c.v.) at the doses of 10 and 20 nmol and did not show any effect in amphetamine- and saline conditioned rats. Anxiety-like effect of amphetamine withdrawal was measured 24h after the last (14 days) amphetamine (2.5mg/kg, i.p.) treatment in the elevated plus-maze test. Amphetamine withdrawal decreased the percent of time spent by rats in the open arms and the percent of open arms entries. RF9 (5, 10, and 20 nmol, i.c.v.) significantly reversed these anxiety-like effects of amphetamine withdrawal and elevated the percent of time spent by rats in open arms at doses of 5 and 10 nmol, and the percent of open arms entries in all doses used. NPFF (20 nmol) pretreatment inhibited the effect of RF9 (10 nmol). Our results indicated that stimulation or inhibition of NPFF receptors decrease the expression of amphetamine CPP and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety, respectively. These findings may have implications for a better understanding of the processes involved in amphetamine dependence.     

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) reduces the expression of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and cocaine-induced sensitization in animals

The endogenous brain opioid system is believed to play an important role in mediating reward mechanisms. Opioid innervation is high in many limbic regions and reinforcing actions of many drugs of abuse, including cocaine, are thought to be mediated via endogenous opioid system. The aim of the present study was to indicate whether the anti-opioid peptide, neuropeptide FF (NPFF; FLFQPQRF-NH₂) was able to modify the rewarding effect of cocaine (5 mg/kg) measured in the expression of conditioned place preference (CPP) test in rats and the expression of sensitization to hyperlocomotor effect of cocaine (10 mg/kg) in mice. Our results indicate that NPFF (5, 10, and 20 nmol) given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) inhibited the expression of cocaine-induced CPP at the dose of 10 nmol (P < 0.01) and 20 nmol (P < 0.001). Moreover, NPFF inhibited the expression of cocaine-induced sensitization to its hyperlocomotor effect at the dose of 20 nmol (P < 0.05) and acute hyperlocomotor effect of cocaine at doses of 5 nmol (P < 0.01), 10 nmol (P < 0.01), and 20 nmol (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that NPFF may participate in a rewarding effect of cocaine measured in the CPP paradigm. On the other hand, our experiments indicate that NPFF is involved in the mechanism of expression of sensitization to cocaine hyperlocomotion but this effect seems to be non-specific because NPFF also inhibited the acute hyperlocomotor effect of cocaine.     

The possible involvement of endogenous ligands for mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in modulating morphine-induced CPP expression in rats

Previous studies suggested that electroacupuncture (EA) can suppress opioid dependence by the release of endogenous opioid peptides. To explore the site of action and the receptors involved, we tried to inject highly specific agonists for μ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptors into the CNS to test whether it can suppress morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in the rat. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained with 4 mg/kg morphine, i.p. for 4 days to establish the CPP model. This CPP can be prevented by (a) i.p. injection of 3 mg/kg dose of morphine, (b) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of micrograms doses of the selective μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO, δ-agonist DPDPE or κ-agonist U-50,488H or (c) microinjection of DAMGO, DPDPE or U50488H into the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The results suggest that the release of endogenous μ-, δ- and κ-opioid agonists in the NAc shell may play a role for EA suppression of opiate addiction.     

断乳前棕色田鼠幼仔对双亲和可卡因的条件位置偏爱（英文）

个体间的社会互作是一种天然奖赏,这种社会性奖赏诱导的条件位置偏爱(Conditioned place preference,CPP)是通过环境信息和社会互作奖赏效应间建立条件反射形成的,与药物奖赏诱导的CPP相似。棕色田鼠(Microtus mandarinus)是一种社会性单配制田鼠,具有紧密的亲-子联系和社会互作;雄鼠对断乳前幼仔也提供较高水平的亲本抚育。幼仔强化能够诱导母鼠及父鼠形成CPP,但双亲对幼仔是否也具有强化效应还不清楚。为探讨断乳前幼仔与双亲形成的奖赏联系,本实验检测了出生后13-17 d和19-23 d两个发育龄段的棕色田鼠幼仔对母鼠、父鼠以及可卡因(20 mg/kg)的CPP反应。数据显示在分别用母鼠、父鼠或可卡因强化后,两个年龄段的幼仔在CPP箱的强化室与非强化室所处时间没有显著性差异。这些结果表明断乳前棕色田鼠幼仔不能形成对母鼠、父鼠及可卡因的位置偏爱。     

Hormonal and testing conditions for the induction of conditioned place preference by paced mating

The ability to control or pace the sexual interaction has important physiological and behavioral consequences for the female rat. Paced mating favors reproduction and induces a positive affective state as revealed by conditioned place preference (CPP). In the present experiment we evaluated: 1) If paced mating induces CPP in naturally cycling females; 2) If females developed a positive affective state if they paced the sexual interaction through a 1- or a 3-hole pacing chamber; 3) If females that mate with the same male without pacing the sexual interaction develop CPP. In the first experiment intact females were divided in 4 different groups; 2 paced the sexual interaction until receiving 1 or 3 ejaculations; the other 2 groups mated, without pacing the sexual interaction, until receiving 1 or 3 ejaculations. Only the group that paced the sexual interaction until receiving 3 ejaculations developed a positive affective state. In experiments 2 and 3 hormonally treated ovariectomized females were used. In experiment 2 females were allowed to pace the sexual interaction through a 1- or a 3-hole pacing chamber: A clear positive affective state was induced in both testing conditions. Finally, in experiment 3 females did not develop CPP for non-paced sex despite the fact that they mated with the same male in the conditioning sessions. These results demonstrate that the pattern of vaginocervical stimulation that the females received by engaging in approach and avoidance behaviors to pace the sexual interaction can induce a positive affective state in naturally cycling females. They also confirm the existence of a threshold of vaginocervical stimulation for paced mating to induce CPP in female rats.     

Infusions of naloxone into the medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and amygdala block conditioned place preference induced by paced mating behavior

Paced mating induces positive affect as revealed by conditioned place preference (CPP) in female rats. It has been suggested that endogenous opioids are involved in the generation of this positive affect since systemic administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone blocks mating-induced CPP. Several brain structures, including the medial preoptic area (mPOA), the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), the amygdala (Me), and the nucleus accumbens (Acb) have been implicated in the control of female sexual behavior. However, it is not known if these structures also participate in the positive affect produced by paced mating. To this end we determined the effects of intracranial administration of naloxone methiodide into the mPOA, VMH, Me and Acb on conditioned place preference induced by paced mating in female rats. Regardless of the site of infusion 5 μg of naloxone did not affect any of the sexual behavior parameters measured during copulation. When CPP was evaluated, the groups infused with naloxone into the mPOA, the VMH, and the Me before each conditioning session did not develop place preference. Only the group infused with naloxone in the Acb and the control groups did so. These results demonstrate that opioid receptors within the mPOA, VMH and Me are necessary for the rewarding aspects of paced mating. We suggest that the Me and VMH are important for the transmission of sensory information produced by copulation while the mPOA is the site where the positive affect is originated.     

Calcium‐permeable AMPA receptors and silent synapses in cocaine‐conditioned place preference

Exposure to cocaine generates silent synapses in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), whose eventual unsilencing/maturation by recruitment of calcium‐permeable AMPA‐type glutamate receptors (CP‐AMPARs) after drug withdrawal results in profound remodeling of NAc neuro‐circuits. Silent synapse‐based NAc remodeling was shown to be critical for several drug‐induced behaviors, but its role in acquisition and retention of the association between drug rewarding effects and drug‐associated contexts has remained unclear. Here, we find that the postsynaptic proteins PSD‐93, PSD‐95, and SAP102 differentially regulate excitatory synapse properties in the NAc. Mice deficient for either of these scaffold proteins exhibit distinct maturation patterns of silent synapses and thus provided instructive animal models to examine the role of NAc silent synapse maturation in cocaine‐conditioned place preference (CPP). Wild‐type and knockout mice alike all acquired cocaine‐CPP and exhibited increased levels of silent synapses after drug‐context conditioning. However, the mice differed in CPP retention and CP‐AMPAR incorporation. Collectively, our results indicate that CP‐AMPAR‐mediated maturation of silent synapses in the NAc is a signature of drug–context association, but this maturation is not required for establishing or retaining cocaine‐CPP.     

Identification and characterization of glucocorticoid receptors in liver of nude mice

Glucocorticoids regulate the expression of many liver-specific genes via glucocorticoid receptors. The presence of glucocorticoid receptors in liver has been reported in many mammalian species but not in nude mice. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence of specific glucocorticoid receptors in nude mouse liver. The binding of ligands to these receptors could be completely inhibited by RU486, and partially blocked by hydrocortisone and progesterone, whereas estrogen and testosterone had no effect. Hydrocortisone down-regulated the level of glucocorticoid receptors in livers of nude mice and correspondingly enhanced the activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and -glutamyltransferase. Our results indicate that glucocorticoid receptors in nude mouse liver are specific, fully functional, and present at levels 28.5-fold higher than in the liver of normal inbred mice. We suggest that the nude mouse is a valuable model for studies of hepatic glucocorticoid action and may provide a clue to a putative hepatic-thymic interaction.     

Variability in nicotine conditioned place preference and stress‐induced reinstatement in mice: Effects of sex,initial chamber preference,and guanfacine

Relapse to smoking occurs at higher rates in women compared with men, especially when triggered by stress. Studies suggest that sex‐specific interactions between nicotine reward and stress contribute to these sex differences. Accordingly, novel treatment options targeting stress pathways, such as guanfacine, an α2‐adrenergic receptor agonist, may provide sex‐sensitive therapeutic effects. Preclinical studies are critical for elucidating neurobiological mechanisms of stress‐induced relapse and potential therapies, but rodent models of nicotine addiction are often hindered by large behavioral variability. In this study, we used nicotine conditioned place preference to investigate stress‐induced reinstatement of nicotine preference in male and female mice, and the effects of guanfacine on this behavior. Our results showed that overall, nicotine induced significant place preference acquisition and swim stress‐induced reinstatement in both male and female mice, but with different nicotine dose‐response patterns. In addition, we explored the variability in nicotine‐dependent behaviors with median split analyses and found that initial chamber preference in each sex differentially accounted for variability in stress‐induced reinstatement. In groups that showed significant stress‐induced reinstatement, pretreatment with guanfacine attenuated this behavior. Finally, we evaluated neuronal activation by Arc immunoreactivity in the infralimbic cortex, prelimbic cortex, anterior insula, basolateral amygdala, lateral central amygdala and nucleus accumbens core and shell. Guanfacine induced sex‐dependent changes in Arc immunoreactivity in the infralimbic cortex and anterior insula. This study demonstrates sex‐dependent relationships between initial chamber preference and stress‐induced reinstatement of nicotine conditioned place preference, and the effects of guanfacine on both behavior and neurobiological mechanisms.     

慢性吗啡依赖大鼠条件性位置厌恶模型杏仁中央核蛋白激酶A表达变化

目的:分析慢性吗啡依赖大鼠纳洛酮催瘾戒断条件性位置厌恶(CPA)建立前后、消退后及重建后,与成瘾密切相关的脑区杏仁中央核(CeA)内蛋白激酶A(PKA)蛋白表达的适应性变化,探讨阿片依赖戒断后厌恶动机形成的生物学基础。方法:①将雄性SD大鼠分为实验组(慢性吗啡注射+纳洛酮催瘾组,MN),对照组(慢性吗啡注射+生理盐水催瘾组,MS),慢性生理盐水注射+纳洛酮催瘾组,SN),每组24只。采用慢性吗啡注射(10 mg/kg,BID,ip)后给予一次纳洛酮(0.3 mg/kg)催瘾注射(同时与条件性位置训练箱搭配)建立大鼠CPA模型。②在CPA建立前后、消退后及重建后,采用免疫组织化学方法检测CeA内PKA蛋白表达情况。结果:MN组在CPA建立前后、消退后及重建后CeA内PKA的蛋白表达出现适应性变化(P<0.05),建立后(Day7,134.43±4.481,P<0.05),消退后(Day13,141.01±3.360,P<0.01)及重建后(Day14,137.18±40.330,P<0.05)PKA蛋白表达水平均低于建立前(Day5,124.48±6.722)。而MS组(P>0.05)和SN组(P>0.05)在CPA的各个时间点PKA的蛋白表达变化差异均无显著性。结论:①CeA内PKA蛋白的低表达导致的厌恶的中枢状态,可能是CPA建立的关键的神经机制。②CeA内PKA的适应性变化可能是物质依赖戒断后CPA相关神经可塑性变化的重要分子基础。     

Neuropeptide S inhibits the acquisition and the expression of conditioned place preference to morphine in mice

Neuropeptide S (NPS), a recently identified bioactive peptide, was reported to regulate arousal, anxiety, motoring and feeding behaviors. NPS precursor and NPS receptor mRNA were found in the amygdala, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the substantia nigra, the area thought to modulate rewarding properties of drugs. In the present study, we examined the influence of NPS on the rewarding action of morphine, using the unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Morphine (1, 3 and 6 nmol, i.c.v.) induced a significant place preference. For testing the effect of NPS on the acquisition of morphine CPP, mice were given the combination of NPS and morphine on the conditioning days, and without drug treatment on the followed test day. To study the effect of NPS on the expression of morphine CPP, mice received the treatment of saline/morphine on the conditioning days, and NPS on the test day, 15 min before the placement in the CPP apparatus. Our results showed that NPS (0.3-10 nmol) alone neither induced place preference nor aversion, however, NPS (1 and 3 nmol) blocked the acquisition of CPP induced by 3 nmol morphine, and acquisition of 6 nmol morphine-induced CPP was also reduced by NPS (6 and 10 nmol). Moreover, the expression of CPP induced by 6 nmol morphine was also inhibited by NPS (0.1, 1 and 10 nmol). These results revealed the involvement of NPS in rewarding activities of morphine, and demonstrated the interaction between NPS system and opioid system for the first time.     

Effects of repeated morphine on locomotion, place preference and dopamine in heterozygous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor knockout mice

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to be involved in the maintenance of striatal dopaminergic neurons. Neurotrophic factors are crucial for the plasticity of central nervous system and may be involved in long-term responses to drug exposure. To study the effects of reduced GDNF on dopaminergic behaviour related to addiction, we compared the effects of morphine on locomotor activity, conditioned place preference (CPP) and extracellular accumbal dopamine in heterozygous GDNF knockout mice (GDNF+/-) with those in their wild-type (Wt) littermates. When morphine 30 mg/kg was administered daily for 4 days, tolerance developed towards its locomotor stimulatory action only in the GDNF+/- mice. A morphine 5 mg/kg challenge dose stimulated locomotor activity only in the GDNF+/- mice withdrawn for 96 h from repeated morphine treatment, whereas clear and similar sensitization of the locomotor response was seen after a 10 mg/kg challenge dose in mice of both genotypes. Morphine-induced CPP developed initially similarly in Wt and GDNF+/- mice, but it lasted longer in the Wt mice. The small challenge dose of morphine increased accumbal dopamine output slightly more in the GDNF+/- mice than in the Wt mice, but doubling the challenge dose caused a dose-dependent response only in the Wt mice. In addition, repeated morphine treatment counteracted the increase in the accumbal extracellular dopamine concentration we previously found in drug-naive GDNF+/- mice. Thus, reduced endogenous GDNF level alters the dopaminergic behavioural effects to repeatedly administered morphine, emphasizing the involvement of GDNF in the neuroplastic changes related to long-term effects of drugs of abuse.     

Behavioral profiles of inbred strains on novel olfactory,spatial and emotional tests for reference memory in mice

Studying the behavior of genetic background strains provides important information for the design and interpretation of cognitive phenotypes in mutant mice. Our experiments examined the performance of three commonly used strains (C57BL/6J, 129S6, DBA/2J) on three behavioral tests for learning and memory that measure very different forms of memory, and for which there is a lack of data on strain differences. In the social transmission of food preference test (STFP) all three strains demonstrated intact memory for an odor-cued food that had been sampled on the breath of a cagemate 24 hours previously. While C57BL/6J and 129S6 mice showed good trace fear conditioning, DBA/2J mice showed a profound deficit on trace fear conditioning. In the Barnes maze test for spatial memory, the 129S6 strain showed poor probe trial performance, relative to C57BL/6J mice. Comparison of strains for open field exploratory activity and anxiety-like behavior suggests that poor Barnes maze performance reflects low exploratory behavior, rather than a true spatial memory deficit, in 129S6 mice. This interpretation is supported by good Morris water maze performance in 129S6 mice. These data support the use of a C57BL/6J background for studying memory deficits in mutant mice using any of these tasks, and the use of a 129S6 background in all but the Barnes maze. A DBA/2J background may be particularly useful for investigating the genetic basis of emotional memory using fear conditioning.