Work

Induction of a Salt Appetite Alters Dendritic Morphology in Nucleus Accumbens and Sensitizes Rats to Amphetamine

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Sensitization to drugs, such as amphetamine, is associated with alterations in the morphology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region critical to motivation and reward. The studies reported here indicate that a strong natural motivator, sodium depletion and associated salt appetite, also leads to alterations in neurons in nucleus accumbens. Medium spiny neurons in the shell of the nucleus accumbens of rats that had experienced sodium depletions had significantly more dendritic branches and spines than controls. In addition, a history of sodium depletions was found to have cross-sensitization effects, leading to enhanced psychostimulant responses to amphetamine. Thus, neuronal alterations common to salt and drug sensitization may provide a general mechanism for enhanced behavioral responses to subsequent exposures to these challenges.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.22-11-j0001.2002

Authors: Mitchell F. Roitman, Elisa Na, Gregory Anderson, Theresa A. Jones, Ilene L. Bernstein

Institution: University of Washington

Language: English

Topic: Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: University of Washington