ERIC Number: EJ802373
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0502
EISSN: N/A
Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Core and Shell Mediate Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer
Lex, Anja; Hauber, Wolfgang
Learning & Memory, v15 n7 p483-491 Jul 2008
Pavlovian stimuli previously paired with food can markedly elevate the rate of food-reinforced instrumental responding. This effect, termed Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT), depends both on general activating and specific cueing properties of Pavlovian stimuli. Recent evidence suggests that the general activating properties of Pavlovian stimuli are mediated by mesoaccumbens dopamine systems; however, the role of NAC dopamine D1 and D2 receptors is still unknown. Here we examined the effects of a selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor blockade in the shell and core subregion of the NAC on general PIT. Rats were trained to press a single lever for food, and the effect of a single Pavlovian stimulus previously associated with the same food on performance of that lever was measured in extinction. Results reveal that PIT, that is, the increase in instrumental responding during presentation of the Pavlovian stimulus, was reduced by microinjections of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 and, less pronounced, by microinjections of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist raclopride into the NAC core or shell, respectively. Our data suggest that dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the NAC core and shell mediate the general activating effects of Pavlovian stimuli on instrumental behavior.
Descriptors: Stimuli, Classical Conditioning, Reinforcement, Food, Animals, Biochemistry, Brain, Drug Use, Behavior Patterns
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 500 Sunnyside Blvd, Woodbury, NY 11797-2924. Tel: 800-843-4388; Tel: 516-367-8800; Fax: 516-422-4097; e-mail: cshpres@cshl.edu; Web site: http://www.learnmem.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A