Selective modifications in the nucleus accumbens of dopamine synaptic transmission in rats exposed to chronic stress

Scheggi, Simona; Leggio, Benedetta; Masi, Flavio; Grappi, Silvia; Gambarana, Carla; Nanni, Giulio; Rauggi, Riccardo; Montis, Maria Graziella De

doi:10.1046/j.1471-4159.2002.01193.x

Cited by 50 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 49 publications

(56 reference statements)

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“…This finding is in line with studies that showed a decrease in basal extracellular dopamine levels in the NAcc shell [22,54] , a decreased number of dopamine transporter binding sites [54] as well as an increase in D 1 receptor-specific radioligand binding and V max of D 1 agonist-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in the NAcc, but not in the striatum, of animals submitted to chronic stress [54,55] . That this is a regionally specific effect is suggested by findings that neither acute nor chronic stress changed D 1 and D 2 receptor expression levels in the amygdala [56] .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Activating Effects of Chronic Variable Stress in Rats with Different Exploratory Activity: Association with Dopamine D1 Receptor Function in Nucleus Accumbens

Matrov¹,

Vonk

Herm

et al. 2011

Neuropsychobiology

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Background/Aims: Rats display persistent behavioural phenotypes of low (LE) versus high (HE) exploratory activity in the exploration box paradigm. LE rats that prefer passive coping strategies show differential dopaminergic activity in the striatum. The main hypothesis of this study was that chronic variable stress (CVS) would have a higher impact on LE rats. Methods: Animals were submitted to a CVS regimen lasting 32 days that was followed by a behavioural test battery. The functional states of their dopamine D₁ and D₂ receptors were measured in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Cerebral oxidative metabolism was assessed via cytochrome c oxidase histochemistry in 65 brain regions. Results: CVS decreased weight gain, to a higher extent in LE rats, and lowered the sucrose preference after the first week, but habituation to the anhedonic effect had developed by the end of the experiment. CVS did not change the behavioural phenotypes initially assigned. No effect of stress on D₂ receptor function was found. Chronically stressed animals exhibited higher levels of social interaction and D₁ receptor-mediated cAMP accumulation in the NAcc, but not in the striatum. CVS was associated with higher oxidative metabolism levels in the anteroventral thalamus, median raphe nuclei and central periaqueductal grey matter. These changes after stress did not depend upon the exploratory phenotype. Conclusion: This study revealed changes in brain biochemistry after habituation to CVS that might be implicated in successful adaptation to chronic stress.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Activating Effects of Chronic Variable Stress in Rats with Different Exploratory Activity: Association with Dopamine D1 Receptor Function in Nucleus Accumbens

Matrov¹,

Vonk

Herm

et al. 2011

Neuropsychobiology

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“…Levels of DA, the associated metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin (5-HT), and the intracellular DA turnover (DOPAC/DA) were determined in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and frontal cortex using methods established in our laboratory (Thiruchelvam et al 2000) and measured at a sensitivity of 2 nA for striatum and frontal cortex and 1 nA for nucleus accumbens. These neurotransmitters have demonstrated sensitivity to Pb (CorySlechta et al 1992(CorySlechta et al , 1996Kala and Jadhav 1995;Pokora et al 1996) and to stress (Armando et al 2003;Bland et al 2003;ChouGreen et al 2003;Finlay and Zigmond 1997;Hanley and Van de Kar 2003;Mangiavacchi et al 2001;Scheggi et al 2002). DA and 5-HT play key roles in the brain regions examined, which include components of both the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA systems, thus also allowing some assessment of specificity of effects.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal stress modulates the effects of developmental lead exposure.

Cory‐Slechta

Virgolini

Thiruchelvam

et al. 2004

Environ Health Perspect

162

145

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Lead exposure is higher among children with low socioeconomic status (SES) compared with other children in the United States. Low SES itself is a known risk factor for various diseases and dysfunctions, effects that have been ascribed to chronic stress and associated elevation of glucocorticoids. Chronically elevated glucocorticoids and Pb provoke similar behavioral changes, and both can act on mesocorticolimbic systems of the brain. In this study we examined the hypothesis that these co-occurring risk factors, Pb and environmental stress, would interact and modulate each others' effects. Using a rodent model, we focused on the specific contributions of maternal stress (restraint) and maternal Pb exposure (150 ppm in drinking water) on corticosterone levels of offspring, as well as on neurotransmitter changes and a behavioral baseline (fixed-interval schedulecontrolled performance) with known sensitivities to Pb. We observed interactions of Pb and stress that differed in relation to outcome measure and sex. In addition, potentiated effects (effects of Pb plus stress but showing no changes produced by either alone) were observed more frequently in females. Importantly, Pb alone (in males) and Pb plus stress (in females) permanently elevated corticosterone levels in offspring; even short-term Pb exposure to dams could cause this effect. Such increases could suggest a potential new mechanism by which Pb exposure could directly or indirectly enhance susceptibility to diseases and dysfunctions and induce cognitive deficits. Moreover, the interactive effects of Pb and stress, and particularly the potentiated effects of Pb plus stress, raise questions about whether current risk assessment strategies sufficiently consider the potential for modulation of toxicity that can accrue from intercurrent risk factors.

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“…Thus, it has been reported that acute exposure to different forms of stress increases dopamine release in the NAc [73,163]. In contrast, long-term exposure to various unavoidable stress factors decreases dopamine release in the NAc shell [37,38,143]. Furthermore, it has also been reported that mice exposed to escapable foot shock show an increase in dopamine release in the NAc, while those exposed to inescapable foot shock show a decrease in dopamine release in the NAc [22].…”

Section: Dopaminementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another recent study reported that chronically stressed rats showed a decrease in the number of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding sites, and an increase in the number of D1 binding sites in the NAc shell [143]. In contrast, chronic treatment with antidepressants increased expression of dopamine receptors, including the D2 and D3 types, in the NAc shell [2,86].…”

Section: Dopaminementioning

confidence: 99%

Neurochemistry of the Nucleus Accumbens and its Relevance to Depression and Antidepressant Action in Rodents

Shirayama

Chaki²

2006

193

111

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There is accumulating evidence that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Given that clinical depression is marked by anhedonia (diminished interest or pleasure), dysfunction of the brain reward pathway has been suggested as contributing to the pathophysiology of depression.Since the NAc is the center of reward and learning, it is hypothesized that anhedonia might be produced by hampering the function of the NAc. Indeed, it has been reported that stress, drug exposure and drug withdrawal, all of which produce a depressive-phenotype, alter various functions within the NAc, leading to inhibited dopaminergic activity in the NAc.In this review, we describe various factors as possible candidates within the NAc for the initiation of depressive symptoms. First, we discuss the roles of several neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the functioning of the NAc, including dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine, serotonin, dynorphin, enkephaline, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART). Second, based on previous studies, we propose hypothetical relationships among these substances and the shell and core subregions of the NAc.

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Selective modifications in the nucleus accumbens of dopamine synaptic transmission in rats exposed to chronic stress

Cited by 50 publications

References 49 publications

Activating Effects of Chronic Variable Stress in Rats with Different Exploratory Activity: Association with Dopamine D1 Receptor Function in Nucleus Accumbens

Activating Effects of Chronic Variable Stress in Rats with Different Exploratory Activity: Association with Dopamine D1 Receptor Function in Nucleus Accumbens

Maternal stress modulates the effects of developmental lead exposure.

Neurochemistry of the Nucleus Accumbens and its Relevance to Depression and Antidepressant Action in Rodents

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