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Selective modifications in the nucleus accumbens of dopamine synaptic transmission in rats exposed to chronic stress
Author(s) -
Scheggi Simona,
Leggio Benedetta,
Masi Flavio,
Grappi Silvia,
Gambarana Carla,
Nanni Giulio,
Rauggi Riccardo,
De Montis Maria Graziella
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2002.01193.x
Subject(s) - nucleus accumbens , neurochemical , dopamine , chemistry , dopaminergic , neuroscience , prefrontal cortex , dopamine receptor d1 , neurotransmission , endocrinology , medicine , dopamine transporter , receptor , biology , biochemistry , cognition
Stressful events are accompanied by modifications in dopaminergic transmission in distinct brain regions. As the activity of the neuronal dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT) is considered to be a critical mechanism for determining the extent of DA receptor activation, we investigated whether a 3‐week exposure to unavoidable stress, which produces a reduction in DA output in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), would affect DAT density and DA D 1 receptor complex activity in the NAcS, mPFC and caudate–putamen (CPu). Rats exposed to unavoidable stress showed a decreased DA output in the NAcS accompanied by a decrease in the number of DAT binding sites, and an increase in the number of DA D 1 binding sites and V max of SKF 38393‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase. In the mPFC, stress exposure produced a decrease in DA output with no modification in DAT binding or in DA D 1 receptor complex activity. Moreover, in the CPu stress exposure induced no changes in DA output or in the other neurochemical variables examined. This study shows that exposure to a chronic unavoidable stress that produces a decrease in DA output in frontomesolimbic areas induced several adaptive neurochemical modifications selectively in the nucleus accumbens.