On the significance of subterritories in the “accumbens” part of the rat ventral striatum

Zahm, Daniel S.; Brog, Judith S.

doi:10.1016/0306-4522(92)90202-d

Cited by 970 publications

(715 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…In particular, the NAc Core possesses similarities to the dorsal striatum, and sends projections to classic basal ganglia output structures, including the ventral pallidum, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra. Conversely, the NAc shell sends projections mainly to limbic structures such as the VTA, lateral hypothalamus, and brainstem autonomic centers (Heimer et al, 1991;Zahm and Brog, 1992). Thus, sexual behavior and sex-associated cues result in the activation of mesolimbic components related to voluntary motor function as well as motivation and emotion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Behavior and Sex-Associated Environmental Cues Activate the Mesolimbic System in Male Rats

Balfour

Coolen

2003

Neuropsychopharmacol

165

125

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The mesolimbic system plays an important role in the regulation of both pathological behaviors such as drug addiction and normal motivated behaviors such as sexual behavior. The present study investigated the mechanism by which this system is endogenously activated during sexual behavior. Specifically, the effects of sexual experience and sex-related environmental cues on the activation of several components of the mesolimbic system were studied. The mesolimbic system consists of a dopaminergic projection from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Previous studies suggest that these neurons are under tonic inhibition by local GABA interneurons, which are in turn modulated by mu opioid receptor (MOR) ligands. To test the hypothesis that opioids are acting in the VTA during sexual behavior, visualization of MOR internalization in VTA was used as a marker for ligand-induced activation of the receptor. Significant increases in MOR internalization were observed following copulation or exposure to sex-related environmental cues. The next goal was to determine if sexual behavior activates dopamine neurons in the VTA, using tyrosine hydroxylase as a marker for dopaminergic neurons and Fos-immunoreactivity as a marker for neuronal activation. Significant increases in the percentage of activated dopaminergic neurons were observed following copulation or exposure to sex-related environmental cues. In addition, mating and sex-related cues activated a large population of nondopaminergic neurons in VTA as well as neurons in both the NAc Core and Shell. Taken together, our results provide functional neuroanatomical evidence that the mesolimbic system is activated by both sexual behavior and exposure to sex-related environmental cues.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Behavior and Sex-Associated Environmental Cues Activate the Mesolimbic System in Male Rats

Balfour

Coolen

2003

Neuropsychopharmacol

165

125

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The amygdala has long been recognized as playing a role in emotional and affective experiences (Aggleton 1992). The amygdala sends extensive input to the ventral striatum (Zahm and Brog 1992;Kunishio and Haber 1994) (Joyce et al 1993) suggesting a region-specific dopaminergic vulnerability that may underlie some of the affective disturbances accompanying cognitive impairment in this disorder (Bungener et al 1996;Cadieux and Greve 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Dopamine D3 Receptor Expressing Neurons in the Human Forebrain Comparison with D2 Receptor Expressing Neurons

Gurevich

Joyce

1999

Neuropsychopharmacology

409

294

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“…Infusion of 0.5 ml over 1 min restricts the spread of the drug to approximately 1 mm 3 limiting the effects of the drug to the areas of interest, (Myers, 1966;Myers et al, 1971;Routtenberg, 1972). The NAc contains two anatomically and functionally distinct subregions: a medioventral shell and a dorsolateral core (Zahm and Brog, 1992). The infusion sites were located in the NAc core close to the anterior commissure, and adjacent to the NAc shell.…”

Section: Pharmacological and Neuroanatomical Specificitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Opposing Roles for 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens on Inhibitory Response Control in the 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task

Robinson

Dalley

Theobald

et al. 2007

Neuropsychopharmacol

130

110

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Serotonin (5-HT) is thought to play an important role in the regulation of behavioral inhibition. Studies manipulating 5-HT function in the rodent brain indicate that 5-HT receptors regulate distinct forms of impulsive behavior, including impulsive responding in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). The present study investigates the loci of effects mediated by 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2C receptors in attention and inhibitory response control using microinfusions targeted at the nucleus accumbens (NAc), prelimbic cortex (PL) and infralimbic cortex (IL). Rats were implanted with bilateral guide cannulas and received infusions of the selective 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist M100907 (0.1 and 0.3 mg) or selective 5-HT 2C receptor antagonist SB242084 (0.1 and 0.5 mg) immediately prior to testing. The results show that intra-NAc infusions of M100907 significantly decrease impulsive responding on the 5CSRTT and at the highest dose increased omissions as well. By contrast, infusions of SB242084 into the NAc selectively and dose-dependently increased impulsivity. Neither M100907 nor SB242084 significantly altered impulsive responding following either intra-PL or intra-IL administration. However, SB242084 significantly decreased omissions following intra-PL administration (0.5 mg only). These data reveal opposing effects on impulsivity following 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2C blockade in the NAc. Our results suggest that the NAc, but not the PL or IL, is implicated in the mediation of the effects of M100907 and SB242084 on inhibitory response control during baseline 5CSRTT performance.

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On the significance of subterritories in the “accumbens” part of the rat ventral striatum

Cited by 970 publications

References 83 publications

Sexual Behavior and Sex-Associated Environmental Cues Activate the Mesolimbic System in Male Rats

Sexual Behavior and Sex-Associated Environmental Cues Activate the Mesolimbic System in Male Rats

Distribution of Dopamine D3 Receptor Expressing Neurons in the Human Forebrain Comparison with D2 Receptor Expressing Neurons

Opposing Roles for 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens on Inhibitory Response Control in the 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task

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