The role of the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens in nicotine-induced enhancement of responding for conditioned reinforcement
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Nicotine enhances the reinforcing properties of reward-paired cues but little is known about neural mechanisms mediating this enhancement. We hypothesized that nicotine enhances responding for conditioned reinforcement through nAChRs in the VTA but not the NAcc. Thirsty male Long-Evans rats underwent Pavlovian conditioning sessions where a 5-sec CS was paired with water. Next, responding for conditioned reinforcement was tested. The effects of α4β2 nAChR antagonist DHβE infusion into the VTA or NAcc on nicotine-enhanced responding for a CRf were assessed. The effects of nicotine infusion into the VTA or NAcc on responding for a CRf were also examined. Results indicated that nicotine enhanced responding for a CRf and this effect was attenuated following DHβE infusion into the VTA or NAcc. Nicotine infused into the VTA, but not the NAcc, enhanced responding for a CRf. These data suggest that nAChRs in the VTA primarily mediate the reinforcement enhancing actions of nicotine.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Rayane I. Tabbara
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2613427353