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The melanin-concentrating hormone system modulates cocaine reward.
- Source :
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; 4/21/2009, Vol. 106 Issue 16, p6772-6777, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Drug addiction is mediated by complex neuronal processes that converge on the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh). The NAcSh receives inputs from the lateral hypothalamus (LH), where selfstimulation can be induced. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is produced mainly in the LH, and its receptor (MCH1R) is highly expressed in the NAcSh. We found that, in the NAcSh, MCH1R is coexpressed with dopamine receptors (DiR and D2R), and that MCH increases spike firing when both DiR and D2R are activated. Also, injecting MCH potentiates cocaine-induced hyperactivity in mice. Mice lacking MCH1R exhibit decreased cocaine-induced conditioned place preference, as well as cocaine sensitization. Using a specific MCH1 R antagonist, we further show that acute blockade of the MCH system not only reduces cocaine self-administration, but also attenuates cueand cocaine-induced reinstatement. Thus, the MCH system has an important modulatory role in cocaine reward and reinforcement by potentiating the dopaminergic system in the NAcSh, which may provide a new rationale for treating cocaine addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00278424
- Volume :
- 106
- Issue :
- 16
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39779302
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0811331106