Open AccessNrxn3 upregulation in the globus pallidus of mice developing cocaine addiction
Author(s) -
Sabah Kelaï,
Gilles Maussion,
Florence Noble,
Claudette Boni,
Nicolás Ramoz,
JeanMarie Moalic,
Michel Peuchmaur,
Philip Gorwood,
Michel Simonneau
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
neuroreport/neuroreport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.607
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1473-558X
pISSN - 0959-4965
DOI - 10.1097/wnr.0b013e3282fda231
Subject(s) - globus pallidus , subthalamic nucleus , basal ganglia , substantia nigra , neuroscience , addiction , downregulation and upregulation , indirect pathway of movement , medium spiny neuron , biology , central nervous system , deep brain stimulation , dopamine , medicine , parkinson's disease , gene , genetics , dopaminergic , disease
Dysfunctions affecting the connections of basal ganglia lead to major neurological and psychiatric disorders. We investigated levels of mRNA for three neurexins (Nrxn) and three neuroligins (Nlgn) in the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra, in control conditions and after short-term exposure to cocaine. The expression of Nrxn2beta and Nlgn3 in the substantia nigra and Nlgn1 in the subthalamic nucleus depended on genetic background. The development of short-term cocaine appetence induced an increase in Nrxn3beta expression in the globus pallidus. Human NRXN3 has recently been linked to several addictions. Thus, NRXN3 adhesion molecules may play an important role in the synaptic plasticity of neurons involved in the indirect pathways of basal ganglia, in which they regulate reward-related learning.