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Relief learning is dependent on NMDA receptor activation in the nucleus accumbens
Author(s) -
Mohammadi Milad,
Fendt Markus
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.13070
Subject(s) - nucleus accumbens , nmda receptor , neuroscience , glutamate receptor , antagonist , psychology , receptor , chemistry , central nervous system , biochemistry
Background and Purpose Recently, we demonstrated that the nucleus accumbens ( NAC ) is required for the acquisition and expression of relief memory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of NMDA receptors within the NAC in relief learning. Experimental Approach The NMDA receptor antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid ( AP ‐5) was injected into the NAC . The effects of these injections on the acquisition and expression of relief memory, as well as on the reactivity to aversive electric stimuli, were tested. Key Results Intra‐accumbal AP ‐5 injections blocked the acquisition but not the expression of relief memory. Furthermore, reactivity to aversive electric stimuli was not affected by the AP ‐5 injections. Conclusion and Implication The present data indicate that NMDA ‐dependent plasticity within the NAC is crucial for the acquisition of relief memory.