ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Key words Stimulus-reward learning
;
Discriminative approach
;
Dopamine
;
Amygdala
;
SKF-38393
;
Quinpirole
;
7-OH-DPAT
;
D3 receptor
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The amygdala is considered to be a critical neural substrate underlying the formation of stimulus-reward associations, and is known to receive substantial innervation from dopaminergic neurons located within the ventral mesencephalon. However, relat- ively little is known about the function of the mesoamygdaloid dopamine projection in stimulus-reward learning. Recently, we have found post-session intra-amygdala microinjections of d-amphetamine to enhance appetitive Pavlovian conditioning as assessed in a discriminative approach task. In the present study, we have examined the effects of dopamine receptor agonists possessing relative selectivity for the D1, D2 and D3 receptor subtypes in order to examine more fully the role of the mesoamygdaloid dopamine projection in stimulus-reward learning. Thus, subjects were trained to associate an initially neutral stimulus (CS+) with 10% sucrose reward (US). A second, control stimulus (CS−) was also presented but never paired with sucrose reward. In order to measure specifically the conditioned response to CS+/CS− presentation, responding during CS and US presentations was measured separately. Immediately following each training session, subjects received bilateral intra-amygdala infusion of 0.1, 1 or 10 nmol/side of SKF-38393, quinpirole or 7-OH-DPAT. Infusions of SKF-38393 or quinpirole were without effect on CS+ approach. However, post-session intra-amygdala infusions of 7-OH-DPAT enhanced selectively CS+ approach in a dose-dependent fashion. No dose of any drug affected CS−approach, US behaviours, or measures of extraneous behaviour. Subsequent acquisition of a novel conditioned instrumental response was also unaffected. Thus, the present data indicate a selective involvement of the D3 dopamine receptor subtype in the modulation of stimulus-reward learning by the mesoamygdaloid dopamine projection.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002130050397
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