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Differential influence of morphine sensitization on accumbens shell and core dopamine responses to morphine- and food-conditioned stimuli

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Abstract

Rationale

Sensitization of the incentive and dopamine (DA) stimulant properties of drug-conditioned stimuli (CSs) by repeated exposure to drugs of abuse has been assigned an important role in the genesis of drug addiction.

Objective

To test in rats if morphine-induced sensitization potentiates incentive and DA-releasing properties in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and core elicited by presentation of a morphine-conditioned stimulus(CS) and if this property generalizes to a non-drug-(palatable food, Fonzies)-CS.

Methods

Controls and rats previously sensitized by morphine were trained via three daily sessions consisting of a 10-min presentation of CS (Fonzies filled box, FB) followed by s.c. saline and morphine (1 mg/kg) or by standard food and Fonzies. Rats were implanted with microdialysis probes and the next-day incentive reactions and NAc shell and core DA were monitored during CS presentation and subsequent morphine (1 mg/kg) administration or Fonzies feeding.

Results

Morphine sensitization increased incentive and NAc shell and core DA responses to morphine-CS. Morphine conditioning per se increased incentive reactions and NAc shell but not core DA responses to FB presentation. Morphine sensitization potentiated incentive responses but did not affect NAc shell and core DA responses to Fonzies-CS. Fonzies conditioning increased incentive reactions and NAc core but not shell DA responses to FB presentation.

Conclusions

These observations confirm the prediction of the incentive sensitization theory in the case of drug-CS but not of non-drug-CS. NAc DA might be differentially involved in the expression of incentive sensitization of drug- and non-drug-CSs, thus providing a clue for the abnormal incentive properties of drug CSs.

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Acknowledgments

Flavia Cucca gratefully acknowledges Sardinia Regional Government for the financial support of her PhD scholarship (P.O.R. Sardegna F.S.E. Operational Programme of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, European Social Fund 2007–2013 — Axis IV Human Resources, Objective l.3, Line of Activity l.3.1.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Valentina Bassareo

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Flavia Cucca & Paolo Musio

  3. CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Section of Cagliari, National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Cristina Cadoni

  4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Section of Cagliari, National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Gaetano Di Chiara

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  1. Valentina Bassareo
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  2. Flavia Cucca
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Correspondence to Gaetano Di Chiara.

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Bassareo, V., Cucca, F., Cadoni, C. et al. Differential influence of morphine sensitization on accumbens shell and core dopamine responses to morphine- and food-conditioned stimuli. Psychopharmacology 225, 697–706 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2856-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2856-0

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