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Transplantation of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor‐expressing cells into the striatum and nucleus accumbens attenuates acquisition of cocaine self‐administration in rats
Author(s) -
GreenSadan Tamar,
Kinor Noa,
RothDeri Ilana,
GeffenAricha Revital,
Schindler Cheryl J.,
Yadid Gal
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02943.x
Subject(s) - glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , nucleus accumbens , neurotrophic factors , striatum , astrocyte , self administration , neuroscience , pharmacology , transplantation , dopamine , endocrinology , chemistry , medicine , central nervous system , biology , receptor
Neurotrophic factors, such as glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), may play a role in drug‐induced biochemical and behavioural adaptations that characterize addiction. We found that GDNF mRNA levels are lower in the striatum of rats that chronically self‐administered cocaine. Therefore, we examined the effect of transplanted cells used as a biodelivery system for GDNF on cocaine self‐administration in rats. A human astrocyte‐like cell line, which produces and excretes GDNF, was transplanted into the striatum and nucleus accumbens of rats. These rats showed a significantly lower number of active lever presses in the cocaine self‐administration paradigm compared with control rats. Moreover, rats that received a chronic infusion of GDNF via a micro‐osmotic pump also exhibited weak cocaine self‐administration. Therefore, we conclude that exogenous augmentation of GDNF repositories may be useful in suppressing cocaine self‐administration.