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Infusion of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor into the ventral tegmental area switches the substrates mediating ethanol motivation
Author(s) -
TingAKee Ryan,
VargasPerez Hector,
Bufalino MaryRose,
Bahi Amine,
Dreyer JeanLuc,
Tyndale Rachel F.,
Kooy Derek
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/ejn.12105
Subject(s) - ventral tegmental area , dopamine , neuroscience , neurotrophic factors , brain derived neurotrophic factor , morphine , psychology , chemistry , receptor , pharmacology , dopaminergic , medicine , biochemistry
Recent work has shown that infusion of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) into the ventral tegmental area ( VTA ) promotes a switch in the mechanisms mediating morphine motivation, from a dopamine‐independent to a dopamine‐dependent pathway. Here we showed that a single infusion of intra‐ VTA BDNF also promoted a switch in the mechanisms mediating ethanol motivation, from a dopamine‐dependent to a dopamine‐independent pathway (exactly opposite to that seen with morphine). We suggest that intra‐ VTA BDNF , via its actions on T rk B receptors, precipitates a switch similar to that which occurs naturally when mice transit from a drug‐naive, non‐deprived state to a drug‐deprived state. The opposite switching of the mechanisms underlying morphine and ethanol motivation by BDNF in previously non‐deprived animals is consistent with their proposed actions on VTA GABA A receptors.