D1- and D2-like receptors in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus are involved in the reinstatement induced by a subthreshold dose of morphine and forced swim stress in extinguished morphine-CPP in rats

Addiction to opioids is an important global problem. Published research has indicated the powerful rewarding effects of drug use, which in the case of opiates like morphine may lead to drug addiction and maladaptive decision making with negative social consequences. In-depth comprehension of the role of responsible mechanisms in addiction can lead us to better and more effective treatments for drug dependence. Continuing previous work in our laboratory, in this study we aimed to investigate the role of dopamine D1- and D2-like receptors in the dentate gyrus (DG) on the reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior induced by the combination of forced swim stress and a subthreshold dose of morphine on extinguished morphine-conditioned place preference in rats. The rats were bilaterally implanted with 2 separate cannulas into the DG region. After the extinction phase of morphine-conditioned place preference, the animals received different doses (0.5, 2, and 4 μg per 0.5 μL vehicle/side) of SCH-23390 or sulpiride on the reinstatement day and were tested for the combination of forced swim stress and a subthreshold dose of morphine in discrete groups. Our findings indicated that D1- and D2-like receptor antagonists attenuated the reinstatement induced by the combination of FSS and the subthreshold dose of morphine. The reduction was more robust in groups of animals that received sulpiride as compared with SCH-23390. Our results showed a role for DG dopamine receptors in relapse to drugs of abuse, the activity of which may be induced by exposure to a stressor like forced swim stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).