Work

Prefrontal cell firing in male rats during approach towards sexually receptive female: Interactions with cocaine

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a role in anticipation of rewards and goal orientation, properties that are influenced by cocaine administration. Single-unit firing was measured in the mPFC of seven male rats during the expression of approach responses toward a sexually receptive female. Nose-poking in male rats was used as a measure of approach behavior during the following periods: a baseline, first exposure to a female, a second baseline 2 h later and a second exposure to female 10 min after cocaine (15 mg kg⁻¹ i.p.). Two types of excitatory responses were identified. First, a subset of cells (23%) showed increased firing activity during nose-poke behavior upon presentation of the female, but not before. Another subset of cells (12%) showed increased firing in the presence of the female only after cocaine was administered. The present results provide preliminary evidence for neurons in the mPFC that are involved in sexually motivated approach behavior and that are modulated by cocaine.

Source: Synapse

DOI: 10.1002/syn.20843

Author: Marcelo Febo

Institution: Northeastern University

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: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse